A mother says she was left with severe side effects after going on weight-loss drug Mounjaro to shift four stone and claims the medication has “ruined” her life after numerous hospital visits
A woman has opened up about the severe side effects she says she experienced after using weight-loss drug Mounjaro which led to multiple hospitalisations and ongoing health issues.
Zari, who was a size 18 to 20 before using the jab, has been able to shift four stone thanks to the use of the popular injections – but it hasn’t been without its side effects. The content creator, who shared her experience on TikTok, said she’s “in and out” of hospital constantly after ditching the drug.
After undergoing blood tests in an attempt to find out what’s causing her unbearable pain, doctors are said to have put it down to gastritis – inflammation of the stomach lining. Zari admitted she “hated” the way she looked before using the jabs, but says the drug has “ruined a part of me”.
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Alongside her clip, the mother wrote: “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 cause pain, indigestion and feelings of nausea and symptoms include tummy pain, vomiting, burping and excess gas.
According to the NHS website, causes of gastritis can include infections with a bacteria called helicobacter pylori; taking anti-inflammatory painkillers and aspirin; drinking too much alcohol and being very stressed and unwell.
Zari confirmed that she was able to lose four stone in the space of four months whilst using the fat jabs, but claimed 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, said “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 states that common side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion, which often lessen over time.
But more serious side effects can include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), gallstones, and pancreatitis.
Concern has rose as more people opt to get the medication privately, meaning some could be using it unnecessarily.
Mounjaro is approved for people with a BMI over 30 (obesity), as well as those with a BMI over 27 (overweight) who also have weight-related health problems such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems.
But some people have been able to source it despite not meeting this criteria, and could be doing more harm than good. Taking Mounjaro when you don’t need it can lead to several health risks and side effects.
A spokesperson from the makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK, told 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.”
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