Side Effects of Mounjaro and How to Manage Them

Mounjaro, like all weight loss injections, can cause side effects in some people. However, these vary from person to person and what you experience might not be the same as what someone else does. The best way to manage with side effects is to know what they are and what to do about them. We also take steps to reduce your chances of getting side effects by gradually increasing your dose so your body gets used to the medication slowly. We call this process titration, and we do it to keep you safe and get the most out of your treatment.

Here, we take a look at the side effects Mounjaro can cause, how to manage them effectively yourself and what to do if they get too difficult to handle. We’ll also look at how long they usually last and when you should be concerned.

Mounjaro can cause some common side effects. The types of side effects and how long they last can vary from person to person.

The most common side effects of Mounjaro include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• stomach discomfort
• heartburn
• burping
• excess wind
• itching
• rash
• injection site reactions
• low blood pressure
• hair loss

Most common side effects should clear up on their own as your body gets used to treatment, but if you are struggling to manage, speak to your doctor.

Some common side effects are mainly seen in people with type 2 diabetes. These are:

• feeling less hungry (a side effect when the primary aim is sugar control)
• low blood sugar (if taken with some types of diabetes medication)

If you are taking medication to treat type 2 diabetes, such as Metformin, you are at a higher risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

The symptoms of low blood sugar are non-specific but can include:

• feeling dizzy
• feeling tired
• feeling hungry
• weakness
• confusion
• irritability
• anxiety
• fast heartbeat
• sweating

It’s important to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications before you start taking Mounjaro.

You can also report any side effects you experience through the Yellow Card Scheme.

How long Mounjaro side effects last differs from person to person, so there’s no set time that they will last, but mild side effects are likely to go away within a few days to a couple of weeks as your body gets used to the medication. More severe side effects can take longer to go away, but you should discuss these with your doctor for advice and support. If you stop taking Mounjaro, your side effects should go away.

You’re most likely to get side effects when you first start taking Mounjaro or when you increase the dose. This is because your body needs time to get used to and adjust to the medication.

Side effects can get worse or come back when increasing your dose. This is because your body needs to get used to higher doses of medication.

These side effects will usually get better over time as your body adjusts to the new dose.

Most mild side effects, such as nausea, constipation or diarrhoea, and headache, can be managed at home. If you experience more severe or serious side effects, such as an allergic reaction or severe stomach pain, you should seek emergency medical help.

Feeling sick (nausea)

A common side effect of weight loss treatment is feeling sick (nausea). You should let your doctor know if you’re feeling sick, but there are things you can do to feel better at home.

We recommend:

• eating smaller, more frequent meals
• stopping eating when you feel full
• avoiding fat or fatty foods
• eating bland foods like toast, rice or crackers
• taking regular sips of a cold drink
• drinking ginger or peppermint tea
• eating foods containing ginger
• getting some fresh air
• distracting yourself – for example, by watching TV or listening to music

Constipation

If you are constipated, there are several things you could try:

Make changes to your diet

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

Make a toilet routine

• trying to go to the toilet at a regular time
• giving yourself plenty of time to go to the toilet
• not delaying going to the toilet
• trying to raise your feet when you go to the toilet, for example by resting your feet on a stool

You can also try increasing your physical activity. Going for a daily walk or a run can help move food through your digestive system. If diet and lifestyle changes have not helped, speak to a pharmacist. They may be able to suggest a laxative. These are medicines that can help you with constipation.

If you are still constipated and laxatives have not helped, go and see your GP. You should also go and see your GP if you:

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

Diarrhoea

If you are having diarrhoea, it is important that you stay hydrated by drinking water or squash. Try to avoid foods that are spicy or fatty. If your diarrhoea lasts for more than 7 days or if you notice blood in your poo, seek medical advice.

Talk to your doctor if you have a side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away.

Injection site reactions

It’s common to experience redness, bruising, swelling, itching and pain on or around the injection site when using a weight loss injection. These may settle as your body gets used to taking the medication. To help reduce injection site reactions you can:

• try taking an antihistamine tablet
• apply an antihistamine cream to the area
• switch up your injection site
• ensure you thoroughly clean the skin of the area before injecting
• use an ice pack to numb the area and prevent irritation before injecting

Most side effects of Mounjaro are mild and manageable but in some cases, more severe side effects are possible. Less common or rare side effects means that they happen to less than 1% of people who take Mounjaro.

The less common side effects of Mounjaro include:

• gallbladder problems
• inflamed pancreas
• allergic reactions
• swelling of the skin, especially around the eyes and mouth

If you experience any of the following symptoms of these side effects, stop taking Mounjaro and seek medical help.

Very rare side effects of Mounjaro that are shown to affect less than 1% of patients, include:

• low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
• inflammation of the pancreas
• gallbladder problems
• angioedema

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)

If you take Mounjaro with other type 2 diabetes medications that lower your blood sugar (insulin, sulphonylureas), this can increase your risk of getting low blood sugar. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• feeling dizzy
• feeling tired
• feeling hungry
• weakness
• confusion
• irritability
• anxiety
• fast heartbeat
• sweating

If you have any of these symptoms, try to eat or drink something that contains sugar. This could be fruit juice, a fizzy drink, glucose or dextrose tablets or sweets. If you feel that your symptoms have improved, try eating a longer-acting carbohydrate, such as bread or biscuits.

If you have frequent low blood glucose symptoms, you should talk to your doctor or diabetes care team.

If your blood glucose gets very low, you may lose consciousness. This is a medical emergency and you will need emergency medical attention.

Inflammation of the pancreas

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is an uncommon but serious side effect of Mounjaro. If you have severe pain in your stomach or back that does not go away, a high temperature, or are sick, stop using Mounjaro and seek medical attention immediately.

Gallbladder problems

Gallbladder problems such as gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) are rare but serious side effects of Mounjaro. GLP-1 inhibitors like Mounjaro can cause gallbladder problems because they can reduce the amount of a hormone called cholecystokinin, which is important for healthy gallbladder function.

If you have symptoms of gallbladder problems, stop taking Mounjaro and seek medical advice immediately. Symptoms may include severe upper abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), and pale stools.

Allergic reaction

It is uncommon, but some people can be allergic to Mounjaro. If you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop using Mounjaro and seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• swelling of the face, tongue or throat
• problems breathing or swallowing
• severe rash or itching
• fainting or feeling dizzy
• very fast heartbeat

Angioedema

Angioedema is a rare but serious side effect of Mounjaro. This is where your skin becomes swollen. This mostly happens around the eyes and mouth. If you notice this, stop taking Mounjaro and seek medical help right away.

You should speak to a doctor if your side effects are not going away, if they are bothersome, or if they are serious.

You should speak to a doctor when your side effects:

• are affecting your day-to-day life
• are not getting better over time
• are not going away after several weeks
• are severe
• are serious

Serious side effects include:

• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• gallbladder problems (gallstones, cholecystitis)
• anaphylaxis
• angioedema
• low blood sugar

Stopping taking Mounjaro is not known to cause withdrawal symptoms.

It takes about 25 days for Mounjaro to completely leave your system after you stop taking it. This means that any side effects from Mounjaro are likely to go away within 25 days.

When you stop taking Mounjaro, the effects of Mounjaro will be reversed. This means that your blood sugar levels are likely to return to the level they were before taking Mounjaro. This study found that people taking Mounjaro regained up to one-third of the weight they lost after stopping.

Is Mounjaro safe?

Mounjaro has been approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA). This means that Mounjaro has been deemed safe for use in patients who are prescribed Mounjaro by a registered health practitioner.

Will drinking alcohol make my side effects worse?

Combining alcohol with Mounjaro increases the risk of some side effects of Mounjaro or could make them worse. Alcohol can also cause low blood sugar or can make symptoms of low blood sugar more difficult to spot. Mounjaro can also cause low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes who are taking certain diabetes medicines. This means that drinking alcohol whilst taking Mounjaro could be risky.

Can Mounjaro cause long-term side effects?

Mounjaro can rarely cause ongoing side effects that include:

• vomiting that continues for several weeks
• ongoing digestive problems
• pancreatitis

In these cases you may need to stop taking Mounjaro and receive ongoing treatment for your side effects.

Will side effects prevent me from driving?

If you feel unsafe to drive, do not drive until you feel safe to do so. Mounjaro can cause low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, check your blood sugar levels before driving. You can only drive if your blood sugar reading is 5mmol/l and above. If your reading is below 4 mmol/l, eat fast-acting carbohydrates, such as sweets, also include long-acting carbohydrates, like crackers. Wait for 45 minutes then re-check your blood sugar levels.

Can Mounjaro cause flu-like symptoms?

Mounjaro is not known to cause flu-like symptoms. However, there is some overlap between other flu symptoms like nausea and vomiting and Mounjaro side effects. See a doctor if you’re worried about the flu or Mounjaro side effects.

Will Mounjaro make me tired?

Studies have shown that between 1 in 100 to 1 in 10 people feel tired when taking Mounjaro. This side effect usually goes away on its own once you get used to treatment.

Can Mounjaro cause depression?

Depression is a known side effect of Mounjaro, however it is not known exactly how likely Mounjaro is to cause depression. If you’re experiencing depression after starting Mounjaro, talk to your doctor. They may recommend stopping Mounjaro or starting separate treatment for depression.

Can Mounjaro cause hair loss?

Studies have shown that Mounjaro can cause hair loss when it is used for weight loss. In this study, 4.7% of people taking Mounjaro experienced hair loss. Most of these patients recovered their hair whilst still taking Mounjaro.

Can Mounjaro cause acid reflux?

Mounjaro can cause acid reflux. This happens to between 1 in 100 to 1 in 10 people who take Mounjaro. If you’re experiencing acid reflux, you can request treatment online from Superdrug Online Doctor.

Can Mounjaro cause erectile dysfunction?

Mounjaro is not known to cause erectile dysfunction. If you find you can’t get or stay hard enough to have sex, you can request erectile dysfunction treatment online from Superdrug Online Doctor.