Tirzepatide for weight loss (Mounjaro)

What is tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide, also sold under the brand name Mounjaro, is an injectable type 2 diabetes prescription medication that, when used with exercise and a meal plan, can greatly improve blood sugar control and management. Physicians have also begun prescribing Mounjaro for weight loss in some patients.¹

What are the risks of taking tirzepatide weight loss pills?

Although tirzepatide is safe to take when a doctor prescribes it for type 2 diabetes, taking it to lose weight or without a prescription can be dangerous, especially when people are under the impression that it is a quick weight-loss fix, which it isn’t.  

Not only can taking Mounjaro for weight loss cause hazardous side effects, but it can also increase your risk of engaging in disordered eating or even developing an active eating disorder. That’s because using tirzepatide to lose weight doesn’t occur in isolation—people often turn to medication in pursuit of an “ideal” body type, weight, size, or shape, which is influenced by diet culture, fatphobia, and anti-fat bias.

Mounjaro side effects and health risks

Taking tirzepatide can result in many harmful adverse effects. Mounjaro side effects may include:^1,2,3

• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Acid reflux
• Diarrhea
• Appetite reduction
• Pain in the upper abdominal area
• Stomach pain
• Vision changes
• Gallbladder issues

Other health risks include acute kidney damage, acute pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia, the risk of which increases the higher the dose.¹

Researchers also found that Mounjaro can cause thyroid tumors in rats; however, it’s unknown if this medication causes thyroid cancer in humans. That said, the FDA recommends that you avoid taking Mounjaro if you have a family history of thyroid cancer or have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.³

Can you overdose on tirzepatide?

It is possible to overdose on Mounjaro, although research is limited, especially given how new the medication is.

However, as with any other medication overdose, you should call 911 immediately if you are worried someone has taken too much. Stay by their side until emergency medical personnel arrive on the scene. 

Experts recommend that people who overdose on tirzepatide receive constant monitoring and supervision to ensure their safety, especially since Mounjaro has a long half-life, meaning the body takes a while to eliminate it, and issues could still occur well after using the drug.¹

The problem with using Mounjaro for “weight loss”

Much like other diet trends and off-label medication use, the popularity of Mounjaro may be triggering for people who struggle with disordered eating, body image issues, or eating disorders. People online share “miracle” stories of how much weight they’re losing on Mounjaro, and celebrities like women on The Real Housewives have praised the medication for its weight loss capabilities. 

Moreover, using Mounjaro for weight loss can result in a severely decreased appetite to the point that the individual begins engaging in disordered eating, ultimately increasing their risk of developing an eating disorder (particularly in vulnerable populations). And on the flip side, someone who is compulsively taking or seeking out prescriptions for tirzepatide may already have an eating disorder, especially if they present other symptoms, such as:⁴

• Poor self-esteem
• Poor body image
• Body dissatisfaction
• A pathological drive to lose weight (even if there is no excess weight to be lost)
• An intense fear of weight gain
• A preoccupation with weight and food
• Severe food restriction
• Skipping meals or cutting out entire food groups
• Compulsive exercise
• Self-induced vomiting
• Laxative use

Although not everyone who uses Mounjaro for weight loss will struggle with disordered eating or an eating disorder, it can still indicate an unhealthy or fraught relationship with food and body image. This is especially true for patients who continue using it despite losing their goal weight or those who continue to ask for higher doses despite the current amount being effective and resulting in average weight reductions. In this way, taking Mounjaro can become compulsive, just as other disordered eating behaviors can. 

If you’re struggling with disordered eating, it’s never too late or too soon to seek help. Treatment is available in many different settings, including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and virtual care.