Is weight loss drug Mounjaro effective? Expert reacts

The weight loss drug market is booming. After months of anticipation, Eli Lilly's drug Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) was also launched in India. It is also the first and only GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes. After Ozempic, the weight loss drug Mounjaro has become the hottest topic. But is it safe?

Dr. Pal Manickam, a gastroenterologist who is popularly known as Dr. Pal, with over 1.4 million followers on Instagram, has now discussed the effectiveness of the weight loss drug.

The doctor notes that the drug is ‘not for everyone, as some can possibly lose health and some money too’.

“Imagine losing up to 22 kilograms without extreme diets. Sounds unbelievable. Right? Well, India just got a new weight loss drug called Mounjaro,” the doctor says in a video shared on his Instagram profile.


The injection, which is originally meant for diabetes patients, also helps to achieve weight loss by reducing hunger and improving sugar control. The drug is administered once a week.

“The side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, bloating, and feeling full after eating. If you have these side effects, don't worry because this is exactly how the drug is supposed to work,” Dr. Pal states.

The expert explains that the drug works by paralyzing the stomach, so it doesn't contract, and food stays in the stomach for a longer time. This creates a sense of fullness, and you don’t feel hungry as much.

But is it as effective as it claims? “Remember, this is not a magic injection that can be used in a few patients along with lifestyle interventions. If you don't change your lifestyle, you may need to be on this injection lifelong,” the doctor says.

The drug is asked to be administered once a week, at any time of the day. It can improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, however, it's not for patients with type 1 diabetes. The injections come as 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg per 0.5 mL injection.

Dr. Pal also warns about the possibility of the drug being misused as it could hit the black market, just like in the US.

While both Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are used for blood sugar control and have shown weight loss benefits, studies suggest that Mounjaro may lead to greater weight loss in certain patients. A 2024 study found that Mounjaro showed better results across multiple weight-loss benchmarks and overall weight loss compared to Ozempic.