Drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy are extremely effective for weight loss. But shedding pounds isn’t the only change patients might experience.
Tirzepatide — sold under the brand name Mounjaro — and semaglutide — sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy — are administered once a week by shot. Mounjaro is known as a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist while Ozempic and Wegovy are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Mounjaro and Ozempic were initially sold as diabetes medications, while Wegovy is specifically for weight loss. Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss; Ozempic and Mounjaro are not.
These drugs were originally prescribed to patients with Type 2 diabetes as they produce insulin and lower blood sugar. They also release a hormone that slows down digestion and keeps food in a patient’s stomach longer. This process suppresses hunger and leads to weight loss — but that can take a toll on the body.
What are the most typical side effects?
The most common side effects of Ozempic, according to the drug’s website, are nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting…
