A woman has spoken out about the devastating side effects she claims to have endured after taking weight-loss medication Mounjaro, which resulted in numerous hospital stays and persistent health complications.

Zari, who previously wore sizes 18 to 20 before beginning the injections, managed to shed four stone using the popular treatment - but insists it came at a significant cost.

The content creator, who documented her ordeal on TikTok, revealed she's been "in and out" of hospital continuously since discontinuing the medication.

Following extensive blood examinations to determine the source of her excruciating discomfort, medical professionals reportedly diagnosed her with gastritis - an inflammation of the stomach lining.

Zari confessed she "hated" her appearance prior to using the injections, but maintains the medication has "ruined a part of me", reports the Mirror.

Writing alongside her video, the mother stated: "As much as I love Mounjaro, I can hands down say it has ruined a part of me. I've never had gastritis in my life but now I do."

Gastritis can trigger discomfort, indigestion and sensations of nausea, with symptoms encompassing abdominal pain, vomiting, belching and excessive wind.

The NHS website states that gastritis causes can include bacterial infections with helicobacter pylori; consuming anti-inflammatory medications and aspirin; excessive alcohol consumption and experiencing severe stress or illness.

Zari verified that she successfully lost four stone within four months whilst administering the weight-loss injections, but alleged that Mounjaro has "ruined my life for good."

She added: "I look trash because I'm tired from the pain the whole night - Mounjaro has given me gastritis and I'm gonna be honest with you, that is a killer.

"It's been two months, I've been going in and out of hospitals, getting drips and everything.

"When [the pain] comes, it is so bad. If I eat anything, if I don't eat anything, whatever it is, it affects my day to day life."

Zari continued: "The pain is so bad and so unbearable - it's a sharp, shooting pain and I've never had it in my life, but thanks to Mounjaro, I have it.

"I can't blame Mounjaro because it helped me lose the weight, but I think it's giving me side effects for the long term."

Speaking to Fabulous, Dr Tom Curtis, Clinical Head of Obesity at Voy, explained "the most common side effects of Mounjaro are gastrointestinal".

Dr Curtis added: "What this patient has described, while not the most common outcome, represents a severe reaction that falls within the known risk profile of the drug.

"It carries a well-documented risk of gastrointestinal side effects that can be very challenging and, in some individuals, severe. However, for the majority, it appears that the medication is safe and well tolerated."

The NHS also confirms that common side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and indigestion, which often lessen over time.

However, more serious side effects can include low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), gallstones, and pancreatitis. Concerns have mounted as increasing numbers of individuals choose to obtain the medication through private channels, potentially resulting in unnecessary usage.

Mounjaro has received approval for individuals with a BMI exceeding 30 (classified as obesity), alongside those with a BMI above 27 (categorised as overweight) who additionally suffer from weight-related health conditions including prediabetes, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cardiac issues.

However, certain individuals have managed to acquire the treatment despite failing to satisfy these requirements, which could prove counterproductive.

Using Mounjaro without medical necessity may result in various health complications and adverse reactions.

A representative from Lilly UK, the pharmaceutical company behind Mounjaro, informed The Mirror: "Patient safety is Lilly's top priority, and we take any reports regarding patient safety seriously. Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data to ensure the latest information is available for regulators and prescribers.

"We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."