Ozempic is old school. Move over and make way for Mounjaro, the new ‘weight loss’ drug gaining popularity in the market.

Here’s all you need to know about the future of weight management is here that has been gaining attention as a revolutionary treatment for diabetes and weight loss.

What is Mounjaro?

Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for type 2 diabetes and packaged as an injection, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has already sparked discussions over its effectiveness in managing weight, with some claiming it is superior to Ozempic—the popular weight loss drug.

What is tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is an antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and for weight management and is administered via subcutaneous injections (under the skin).

In the United States, it is sold under the brand name Mounjaro for diabetes treatment and Zepbound for weight loss and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Mounjaro in India:

Now, Eli Lilly, the American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, has launched Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a weekly injection for obesity and type 2 diabetes, after obtaining approval from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

Mounjaro is notable for its dual-action mechanism, targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which enhances its effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels.

How does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) works by mimicking two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, to regulate blood sugar, digestion, and appetite, leading to improved blood sugar control and potential weight loss.

Key points:

Mimicking Hormones: Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which acts as a dual-agonist, meaning it mimics the effects of both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).

Blood Sugar Regulation: By mimicking GLP-1, Mounjaro increases insulin release when blood sugar levels are high, helping to lower them. It also slows down the release of sugar from the liver and slows gastric emptying, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar after meals.

Appetite and Weight Management: By mimicking both GLP-1 and GIP, Mounjaro can reduce appetite and food intake, potentially leading to weight loss. It also stimulates lipolysis, which is the breakdown of fat, further contributing to weight loss.

Are Mounjaro and Ozempic the same?

Although they work in a fairly similar way, Mounjaro and Ozempic are essentially different drugs. Both of them are in the class of drugs known as incretin mimetics but have some differences.

Mounjaro is a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. Ozempic acts only on GLP-1.

Mounjaro lowers fasting and postprandial glucose concentration, decreases food intake, and reduces body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ozempic (semaglutide), from Novo Nordisk, is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, and does not work at the GIP receptor like Mounjaro.

However, both drugs are approved to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes in combination with a healthy diet and exercise and are effective for weight loss.

Potential benefits of Mounjaro:

Mounjaro improves blood sugar levels, which helps lower the risk of diabetes-related complications, such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision loss over time. It also promotes substantial weight loss.