Mounjaro Side Effects

Heartburn is often experienced by patients undergoing weight-loss management treatment with Mounjaro. To ease this side effect, we recommend lifestyle changes that should ease heartburn, such as:

• avoiding certain food and drink like citrus or acidic foods, fatty or spicy foods, coffee and alcohol
• light physical exercise such as yoga, or stretching

We also recommend:

• checking in with yourself emotionally and finding ways to relax
• eating smaller, more frequent meals

When experiencing heartburn, it is best to avoid:

• eating within 3 to 4 hours of going to bed
• smoking
• wearing tight clothing

Sometimes, heartburn can be related to another issue, such as stress and anxiety. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you are experiencing heartburn and it is not going away. They will be able to give you personalised advice. If you have already tried making lifestyle changes to alleviate your symptoms, they may recommend you take antacids.

Constipation is a common side effect of Mounjaro, particularly for patients just starting the medication or during the stage where dosage is increased.

To manage constipation, we recommend that you make changes to diet and exercise and adjust your toilet routine.

Making changes to your diet and exercise routine

In order to be effective, Mounjaro should be prescribed in addition to a weight loss plan that includes healthy lifestyle changes, such as adjusting your diet and following an exercise plan. These changes will also help in managing constipation as a side effect.

Speak with your doctor for more personalised advice on what approach you should take with nutrition to ensure the treatment is effective for you.

If you are experiencing constipation, these lifestyle changes may help improve it:

• eating a balanced diet (learn more on NHS Eatwell Guide)
• eating fruits containing sorbitol such as grapes, raisins, apricots, apples, raspberries, and strawberries
• gradually increasing the fibre in your diet
• including wheat bran, linseed or oats in your diet

Increasing your physical activity can help move food through your system. Even simply going for a walk can help.

If you have already made diet and nutritional changes and have not seen any effect on your constipation, speak with your doctor or a pharmacist. They may suggest a laxative, which can help.

If you have already tried laxatives and they haven’t helped with your symptoms, see your doctor if you:

• are regularly constipated
• are regularly bloated
• have blood in your stool (poo)
• feel tired all the time
• are taking medication that causes constipation (opioids)
• notice sudden changes in toilet habits
• have stomach pain

Adjusting your toilet routine

If you are struggling to go to the toilet, keep track of when you do and:

• try to go to the toilet regularly, at a regular time
• give yourself time to go
• when you need to go, do not delay it

We recommend raising your feet or putting your feet on a footstool when you are on the toilet if you are struggling to pass stools (poo).

If you are experiencing diarrhoea when taking Mounjaro, we recommend that you stay hydrated by drinking water, or another liquid if you prefer, like squash.Try to avoid fatty or spicy foods as this may make your symptoms worse.

If your diarrhoea has lasted more than a week (7 days) or if you notice blood in your poo, speak with a doctor or pharmacist.

If you experience dizziness on Mounjaro, there are several ways to manage it effectively. For short-term dizzy spells, we suggest trying to lie down or rest until it passes, and avoiding any tasks that put yourself or others in danger - for example, driving or lifting heavy objects. If you have dizziness when standing on Mounjaro, ensure that you’re getting up carefully and slowly to ease the effects.

Some people notice that they feel dizzy right after taking the medication, and a tip here would be to ensure you eat or drink before your scheduled dose, which can help you feel less lightheaded.

Other solutions to Mounjaro dizziness include staying hydrated with plenty of fluids and trying to eat healthy, balanced meals or snacks to stabilise your blood sugar. If these strategies don’t help or you have Type 2 diabetes and are experiencing persistent dizziness and other symptoms of low blood sugar, you should speak with your doctor right away.

Dietary changes can make a difference in easing or preventing sulphur burps while on Mounjaro. Reducing your intake of sulphur-rich foods e.g. eggs, meat, and poultry, and opting for fibre-rich meals that are easier to digest can help support a healthier digestive process and reduce gas buildup.

Probiotics or over-the-counter digestive aids can also help to balance gut bacteria and alleviate symptoms. If the issue persists or worsens, consult your doctor to explore other solutions.

You may experience headaches as a result of your treatment with Mounjaro.

To help manage this side effect at home, we recommend you:

• drink plenty of fluids – to ensure you are hydrated
• avoid alcohol – which can make you more dehydrated
• speak with a pharmacist – who can advise you on the right painkillers

If you find this side effect persists and affects your life, get in touch with your doctor.

It is common to experience aches and pains in the stomach when taking Mounjaro. Especially around the sites where you are injecting.

However, less reported side effects are pain in the back, neck or joints. If you experience aches and pains in these areas and they persist, please contact your doctor.

In particular, speak with your doctor if you are experiencing:

• a lump or swelling in the neck
• pain in your back and stomach or a pain which begins in your stomach and ends at your back

When you first start Mounjaro treatment, it’s common to experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, appetite loss, indigestion, gas, and injection site reactions.

These symptoms typically arise during the initial stages of treatment or after a dosage increase and often resolve within a few days to a couple of weeks as your body adjusts to the medication.

If these side effects persist or you’re experiencing severe symptoms, consult your healthcare provider for guidance.

Feeling tired (fatigue), is a common symptom of Mounjaro, often experienced in the early stages of treatment. The medication itself can interfere with the typical sleep/wake cycle, and you may also feel tired as your body adjusts to a lower calorie intake.

While this side effect can be bothersome, it typically improves over time. Studies have shown that tiredness becomes less common after the 8-week mark, with fewer people reporting fatigue as a side effect. If persistent tiredness continues to affect your daily life, it’s important to consult your doctor for advice and support.

Some people on weight loss medications like Mounjaro have reported changes or disruptions to their menstrual cycle. Though there is limited research on this particular side effect of treatment. Sudden or rapid weight loss can sometimes be interpreted by your body as stress, leading to irregular or missed periods as your body adapts to the medication. These changes are often temporary and part of the natural adjustment process.

If you notice changes to your normal cycle or experience late periods on Mounjaro, there’s usually no need to worry. If your cycle changes persist for more than a couple of months or feel unusual, reach out to your doctor who can provide you with the necessary guidance and support.

Please note: If you’re using oral contraception alongside Mounjaro, be aware that the medication can affect how it’s absorbed, so it’s a good idea to use a barrier method like condoms during the first 4 weeks of treatment or after increasing your dose.

In a clinical study for weight loss management, 4.7% of patients treated with Mounjaro reported hair loss. The events were mild and most patients recovered while they continued their treatment. It’s still unclear whether the drug itself causes hair loss, or whether this is due to nutrient deficiency due to less food intake or other changes in diet or lifestyle.

However, if you want to reduce or prevent hair loss while on Mounjaro, we recommend eating balanced, nutritious meals rich in minerals and vitamins, managing your stress levels, and cutting down on smoking and vaping, since nicotine intake can sometimes disrupt hair follicle growth.

If you’re concerned about hair loss, or other side effects, get in touch with your doctor for advice.

Whether or not you may experience coldness since taking Mounjaro will depend on your personal health condition. Some people who take Mounjaro experience feeling cold or having chills. If you are feeling cold since taking Mounjaro and it is bothering you or not going away, speak with your doctor. They should be able to advise you about your dosage.

There may be a link between depression and Mounjaro, however it is not known how likely Mounjaro is to cause depression.

If you already have been diagnosed with depression before starting your treatment with Mounjaro, or if you’re experiencing depression after starting your treatment, speak to your doctor. They may recommend an alternative weight-loss treatment or starting a separate treatment for depression.

Erectile dysfunction is not a known side effect of Mounjaro. If you’re experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction, we have a range of erectile dysfunction treatments available. Simply start a consultation and one of our doctors will review your health and symptoms accordingly. They will then prescribe you a treatment if necessary.

Feeling thirsty and experiencing dry mouth while on Mounjaro are common. However, Mounjaro does not typically cause dehydration directly, but some gastrointestinal-related side effects can.

In clinical studies, some patients experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea which can sometimes lead to dehydration. You can manage your dehydration and dry mouth side effects by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and avoiding alcohol and caffeine (which can worsen symptoms).

Insomnia is not a common side effect of Mounjaro, though it has been reported by some patients. There is little evidence to suggest that sleeplessness is caused as a result of the drug directly, but some people can experience anxiety or other symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea which may impact a normal sleeping schedule.

If you’re experiencing insomnia while on Mounjaro, be sure to stick to a consistent bedtime routine, avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening, and ensure that you’re keeping track of when your insomnia typically occurs. If your lack of sleep is affecting your daily life or you have chronic insomnia (over a few months), we recommend getting in touch with your doctor to discuss insomnia treatment strategies.

The most common reason why you feel hungry while taking Mounjaro is because your body is still adapting to the treatment. It takes about 8 weeks for Mounjaro and reach a ‘steady state’, where the drug is stable in your blood. Before this 8-week point, there’s a chance that you’ll still experience hunger and cravings. It’s also possible that your Mounjaro dose is too low to suppress your appetite, which can be noticed in earlier stages.

Since appetite suppression is the key function of the medication, you may question its effectiveness if you’re still feeling hungry while on treatment. Aside from your dose being too low, routine and other lifestyle factors can cause hunger feelings:

• Pre-existing food habits and cravings can be difficult to shake, especially with regards to sugar and ultra-processed food. These foods are designed to be addictive, and if they’re in your diet already, you may feel like you ‘need’ to eat still, more out of habit than hunger. Food dependence in general, including emotional eating, can also contribute to cravings during your treatment.
• General lifestyle and physiological factors like under/over-exercising or lack of sleep can affect appetite hormones and make us feel hungrier than usual, even while on weight loss medications.

If you’re concerned about the progress of your treatment, get in touch with your doctor or healthcare provider.

Sugar cravings while on Mounjaro can happen for the same reasons you might experience hunger. These include drug-related causes (dosage and adjustment), existing eating and craving habits, and other factors like lack of sleep.

If you have Type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro side effects can also mimic the symptoms of low blood sugar, including hunger and sugar cravings. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to keep track of when they occur and for how long, and let your doctor know about any concerns you may have.

Not necessarily. Everyone responds differently to different treatments. You should speak to your doctor if you are wondering about whether to switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro and they can provide personalised advice suited to your health condition.