Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to weight loss medication.
Mounjaro is a prescription medication that’s FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The drug is increasingly used off-label for weight loss, and the FDA has indicated that they are investigating the weight loss effects of Mounjaro and considering approving the drug for the treatment of obesity.
The generic form of this drug is called tirzepatide and we’ll use these terms interchangably trhoughout this article as they refer to the same active drug ingredient.
But is Mounjaro actually proven in clinical studies to cause weight loss? What data caused the FDA to “fast-track” the drug for potential approval for obesity treatment? Does Mounjaro cause any concerning side effects? And are real users reporting weight loss after taking Mounjaro?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we review clinical research on Mounjaro to determine if it’s effective for weight loss, document side effects of the drug and share real, unsponsored user reviews of Mounjaro that reference weight loss.
Does Mounjaro Cause Weight Loss?
Mounjaro was initially studied (and approved) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but weight loss was documented as a side effect in some trials.
A clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine analyzed the effectiveness of Mounjaro for weight loss in obese patients.
After 72 weeks, patients on a 5 milligram (mg) weekly dose lost an average of 15% baseline body weight, patients on a 10 mg weekly dose lost an average of 19.5% baseline body weight, and patients on a 15 mg weekly dose lost an average of 20.9% baseline body weight.
These results are significant, and it was also reported that around 90% of patients experienced a weight reduction from baseline body weight of 5% or more.
To provide an example demonstrating how significant a 15% baseline body weight reduction is, a patient starting at 200 pounds would end the trial at 170 pounds after a 15% decrease in baseline body weight.
Another clinical trial from 2021 compared the effects of Mounjaro and semaglutide on diabetes and weight. As we documented in our semaglutide weight loss reviews article, this is another type 2 diabetes medication that’s been shown in clinical studies to cause weight loss (and is FDA-approved for weight loss).
Mounjaro was found to be superior to semaglutide for weight loss at all doses.
Given the impressive research on Mounjaro for weight loss, the drug has received “fast track” status from the FDA according to the drug’s manufacturer. The FDA is currently reviewing the clinical studies on Mounjaro that documented weight loss, and may approve the drug for the treatment of obesity in the future.
Based on the available research we will conclude that Mounjaro is likely effective for causing weight loss in overweight and obese patients, but we do not recommend the drug for weight loss alone, as the drug is not yet approved for the treatment of obesity.
We would consider weight loss as a potential secondary benefit of the drug for patients with type 2 diabetes who are also overweight or obese.
A segment on popular media brand Today overviewed some of the research on Mounjaro for weight loss. The video is only 3 minutes long:
Does Mounjaro Cause Side Effects?
Mounjaro’s FDA label has a “black box” warning, shown above, that indicates an increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. This warning is based on data from animal studies, and it’s yet unclear if the drug increases the risk of this type of cancer in humans.
The drug manufacturer recommends that patients with a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (a rare genetic disorder that can cause tumors in the thyroid gland) avoid use of Mounjaro.
A meta-study published in the Molecules journal documented that the most common side effects of Mounjaro are more mild: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
It’s important that patients speak with their doctor about the risk of these side effects before using Mounjaro.
Real, Unsponsored User Review of Mounjaro for Weight Loss
One of the most popular YouTube reviews on the topic of Mounjaro for weight loss comes from a creator named “megan muise.” She documents her weight loss on the drug and shares benefits and side effects she’s experienced:
Mounjaro Weight Loss Before and After
A YouTube creator named Crissy G published a review of Mounjaro that includes before-and-after images of her 42 pound weight loss caused by the drug. We’ve timestamped the video to start at the section with the before-and-after images:
What’s the Cost of Mounjaro?
We typically recommend the generic versions of drugs because they’re equally effective and often more cost-efficient. However, since Mounjaro was only was only approved in 2022, there is currently no generic equivalent available on the U.S. market according to Drugs.com.
The cost of Mounjaro will vary significantly based on health insurance coverage. The drug manufacturer, Lilly, reports that the retail price is currently $974.33, but patients can apply for a Savings Card or savings coupon at this link to the Savings page on the brand’s website.
The above-linked Savings resource page states that some commercially-insured patients can pay as little as $25 for a 1-month or 3-month Mounjaro prescription.
Our Clean Weight Loss Picks
There are food-based nutrients which have been shown in medical studies to be effective for weight loss.
Dietary fiber was shown in a medical review published in The Journal of Nutrition to cause 16 pounds of weight loss in 6 months when combined with moderate caloric restriction (750 calories per day below baseline).
Supergut Fiber Mix is our top fiber supplement, because it contains three different types of fiber powder, and retails for only $1.75 per serving at a subscription rate.
MCT oil was shown in a meta-study to cause more than one pound of weight loss over 10 weeks. This equates to potential annualized weight loss of 6 pounds per year with less than one tablespoon's worth of MCT oil per day.
Bulletproof MCT Oil is our top MCT oil product, because the only ingredient is MCT oil derived from coconuts. and it currently costs only $15.50 for over a month's worth of product.
Ginger intake "significantly decreased body weight" according to a 2019 meta-study on ginger and weight loss that analyzed data from 14 clinical trials.
Pique La Ginger is our top ginger product, because it's an organic tea in convenient crystallized form, and all that's needed is to pour the powder into a glass and add hot water.
All three of the products mentioned in this section are entirely free of additive ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy or unsafe.
We are not suggesting that any of the products referenced in this section are as effective as Mounjaro, or any other FDA-approved weight loss medication. Rather, we're sharing options that patients with an aversion to pharmaceutical medication may wish to speak to their doctor about.
