Who Cannot Take Mounjaro?

With the growing interest in treatments for weight management, Mounjaro has gained a lot of attention for its promising results. One study showed an average of 21% weight reduction in participants after three months.

But while many patients may benefit from this medication, unfortunately it’s not suitable for everyone.

In this article, we will take a closer look at who should not take Mounjaro. We’ll explore Mounjaro interactions, different medical conditions and risk factors that make it unsafe for some people. In some cases, the risk of side effects on Mounjaro may outweigh the benefits.

Who is Mounjaro Licensed For?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for two main uses:

1. Type 2 diabetes treatment
2. Weight loss in adults – alongside a healthy, balanced diet and increased physical activity

Mounjaro is used to treat adults with obesity (with a BMI of 30 or higher).

It’s also licensed for use in overweight adults with a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one existing weight-related health condition. This might include high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease.

Who Should Not Be on Mounjaro?

While most people tolerate Mounjaro injections well, the medication isn’t suitable for everyone.

For example, people with a history of certain medical conditions or known allergies should avoid it. It’s also not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding or for anyone under 18. Certain medications may interact with Mounjaro too, making it unsuitable.

People with Certain Health Conditions

Mounjaro is not suitable for people with certain health conditions, including:

• Individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). This advice is based on studies where GLP-1 receptor activation caused thyroid tumours in rodents. While it hasn’t been found in humans, it does suggests a link between Mounjaro and thyroid cancer.

• People with a history of pancreatitis. In some users, Mounjaro can cause acute pancreatitis. Signs of pancreatitis include severe stomach pain that may radiate to the back and vomiting.

• Patients with severe gastrointestinal (stomach) disease, such as gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is a condition that leads to movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine slowing down. Since Mounjaro affects how quickly your stomach empties, it may make existing conditions worse.

Those With an Allergy to Tirzepatide or Mounjaro Ingredients

You shouldn’t use Mounjaro if you have a known allergy to tirzepatide, the active ingredient of Mounjaro. Or if you’ve had a reaction to any of the other ingredients in the injection.

Allergic reactions can range from mild skin rashes to severe anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Let your healthcare provider know if you’ve ever experienced an allergic reaction after previous injections or medications. Symptoms include swelling, difficulty breathing, itching, or hives.

Always check the medication’s inactive ingredients before you start treatment. A full list of ingredients will come with the medication. Speak to a pharmacist or prescriber if you have concerns.

Pregnant or Breastfeeding People

Mounjaro is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Currently, there is not enough research to confirm whether Mounjaro is safe for pregnant individuals. It’s unknown whether it passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on the baby.

If you’re planning to become pregnant, or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your GP or pharmacist.

Richard Wood, a pharmacist at Simple, says: “If you become pregnant during treatment despite additional safety measures like condoms and hormonal contraception, it is important that you stop Mounjaro as soon as you know you’re pregnant and seek support from your GP and Mounjaro provider.”

Children (Under 18s)

Mounjaro has not been approved for use in children or adolescents under the age of 18. It’s not known how safe or effective it is for people in this age group. And current clinical trials have mainly focused on adults.

As a result, prescribing Mounjaro to individuals under 18 is not recommended. Even for type 2 diabetes.

If a child or teenager is struggling with obesity or diabetes, a paediatric specialist should assess them. They can provide age-appropriate treatments and support. Until more research is available, Mounjaro remains strictly for adult use under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.

People on Certain Medications

Certain medications can interact with Mounjaro and affect how they work.

Mounjaro works by slowing down digestion. Because of this, Mounjaro can affect the absorption of oral medications. This includes some antibiotics and treatments for heart conditions.

It may also increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when used alongside some diabetic drugs, like insulin or sulfonylureas. This requires close monitoring and possible dose adjustments to help prevent any blood sugar drops.

Always share a complete list of your current medications with your prescriber or pharmacist. This will help avoid harmful interactions and ensure your treatment is safe and effective.

Side effects can also affect the absorption of some medication. So please let us, or your healthcare provider, know if you suffer from severe diarrhea or vomiting. They can give you advice on what to do next.

Why a Clinical Assessment is So Important

In the UK, Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine (POM). This means a qualified healthcare professional has to prescribe it. And they have to dispense it through a regulated pharmacy.

This classification exists for a reason. Mounjaro affects critical systems in the body and is not suitable for everyone. A regulated provider will carry out a thorough clinical assessment to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate. This involves reviewing your medical history, current medications and any underlying conditions.

It is crucial that you fill in all medical assessment forms as truthfully and fully as possible. Withholding information could put your health at serious risk. Buying from unregulated sources not only skips this essential process but also increases the risk of receiving unsafe products.

Your safety should always come first, so only trust licensed providers. For more information, this article explains how to buy medication safely online.

What To Do If You’re Not Suitable for Mounjaro

If you are not suitable for Mounjaro, there may be safe and effective alternatives out there for you. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can guide you through other weight loss treatments. This might be other licensed medications or lifestyle changes. It will depend on your medical history and needs.

In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend alternative weight loss injections, like Wegovy (semaglutide). This depends on your individual risk factors and health problems.

It is also worth exploring structured weight management programmes or getting support from a dietitian. The key is to work with a regulated healthcare professional to find a safe, sustainable treatment path tailored to you. If you need any guidance, contact our team.

Key Takeaways

• Mounjaro Isn’t Suitable for People with Some Health Conditions. This includes patients with a history of medullary thyroid cancer, MEN2 and pancreatitis.
• You Shouldn’t Use Mounjaro If You’re Pregnant, Under 18 Years old, or Allergic to Tirzepatide. Or if you’re allergic to any of the injection’s ingredients.
• Mounjaro May Interact with Certain Medications. Particularly those that slow digestion. Or drugs that treat diabetes, such as insulin, which can increase the risk of low blood sugar.
• Mounjaro is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM). This means you should only get it from regulated pharmacies after a thorough medical assessment to ensure safety. Never buy from unregulated sources.
• There Are Other Weight Loss Medications and Treatments. If you feel Mounjaro might not be the best option for you, speak to your doctor or prescriber. They’ll help you find a safer, effective alternative for your weight loss journey.

References 

Aronne, L.J., Sattar, N., Horn, D.B., Bays, H.E., Wharton, S., Lin, W.-Y., Ahmad, N.N., Zhang, S., Liao, R., Bunck, M.C., Jouravskaya, I., Murphy, M.A. and SURMOUNT-4 Investigators (2023). Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, [online] 331(1). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.24945

MHRA (2023). MHRA authorises diabetes drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management and weight loss. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-authorises-diabetes-drug-mounjaro-tirzepatide-for-weight-management-and-weight-loss

Package leaflet: Information for the patient (n.d.). Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.15484.pdf 

Scottish Medicines Consortium (2022). Tirzepatide (Mounjaro). [online] Scottish Medicines Consortium. Available at: https://scottishmedicines.org.uk/medicines-advice/tirzepatide-mounjaro-smc2633-full/