Mounjaro Users Warned About Potentially Dangerous Side Effects
As the August bank holiday approaches, users of Mounjaro are being issued a stern warning regarding the drug’s potential side effects. With an estimated 750,000 people across the country taking the medication, it has become one of the most popular weight loss and diabetes treatments. While the drug is credited with helping individuals lose up to 20% of their body weight, there are serious concerns about its impact on health.
SheMed, a UK-based HealthTech company focused on women's health, has highlighted that users may experience unexpected alcohol-related side effects. Some individuals might feel more intoxicated quickly due to weight loss, but this could actually be a sign of low blood sugar levels caused by the injections, according to Rachael Joy, SheMed's Chief Clinical Officer.
“If you feel shaky, sweaty, light-headed, confused, or your vision goes blurry, don’t simply put it down to the alcohol,” she said. “It is worth considering if it could be hypoglycaemia. It’s important to listen to your body while taking GLP-1 medication and respond accordingly.”
Hypoglycaemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low, leading to symptoms ranging from hunger to severe effects such as seizures or loss of consciousness. Mounjaro stimulates insulin secretion, which can further lower blood sugar levels. This makes users particularly vulnerable to hypoglycaemic episodes.
Ms. Joy also noted that some studies suggest Mounjaro may blunt the brain’s reward response, potentially reducing the desire to drink alcohol. However, the drug also slows digestion, and alcohol can disrupt blood sugar balance. Combining the two can lead to unexpected effects even with small amounts of alcohol.
Mounjaro is a prescription-only treatment for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. The NHS recommends its use for managing obesity in certain patients. It is sold under the brand name Mounjaro for diabetes treatment and Zepbound for weight loss. Patients typically inject themselves once a week, feeling fuller for longer periods.
However, those paying privately for Mounjaro in the UK are facing a significant increase in costs. Manufacturer Eli Lilly announced a price rise of up to 170%, meaning a month’s supply could jump from £122 to £330. The company stated that the UK price is significantly lower than in other European countries.
This price hike has led to panic among users, with many rushing to obtain a new drug dubbed the “Godzilla” of weight loss jabs. Early trials of retatrutide, another drug developed by Eli Lilly, show promise in helping people lose a quarter of their body weight within a year—almost twice as effective as Ozempic.
Unlike other slimming injections, retatrutide not only suppresses appetite but also boosts metabolism. By targeting three hormones involved in eating and weight regulation, it has been nicknamed “triple G.” The once-weekly injection is still in clinical trials, with phase three results expected in 2026.
Despite its experimental status, social media users are already claiming to have sourced the drug on the black market, reporting significant weight loss in short periods.
The growing popularity of these drugs raises important questions about their long-term safety and effectiveness. As more individuals turn to weight loss jabs like Mounjaro, concerns about potential health risks and the impact of rising costs continue to grow. The future of these medications remains uncertain, with ongoing research and public debate shaping their role in modern healthcare.
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