Doctor shares ‘rare but serious' Mounjaro side effect and how to recognise it
Mounjaro has been taking the world by storm since it began rolling out on the NHS earlier this year. Around 220,000 patients are to be prescribed the weight loss drug over the next three years.
But as with any medication, Mounjaro doesn't come without its side effects. Common consequences of taking the drug include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, which around one in 10 people taking the jab will experience.
While these common symptoms can be managed, there are also side effects of the weight loss medication that are much more rare and can do significantly more harm. Dr Ethan Melillo, who often shares health advice to his 550K TikTok followers, has warned in one of his videos of a 'rare but serious' side effect of Mounjaro- acute pancreatitis.
The doctor said: "Whenever I'm counselling a patient about [Mounjaro], I do mention this because it is a rare but it is a serious side effect."
And the health professional's claim is backed by Mounjaro manufacturers, who list pancreatitis as one of the drug's most severe side effects.
Here's everything you need to know.
What is pancreatitis?
The NHS explains that acute pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas (a small organ behind the stomach that helps with digestion) becomes inflamed over a short period of time.
Most people with acute pancreatitis start to feel better within about a week and have no further problems. But some people with severe acute pancreatitis can go on to develop serious complications.
Acute pancreatitis can develop into chronic pancreatitis, which is when the organ becomes permanently damaged from inflammation over many years.
How does Mounjaro cause pancreatitis?
Health website Second Nature explains that Mounjaro mimics the hormones which affect our hunger levels and the pancreas.
While the drug primarily affects insulin levels in the body to improve blood sugar levels, it also activates receptor cells in the small ducts of the pancreas.
When Mounjaro binds to these receptors, the cells can grow slightly, narrowing the small ducts that drain digestive enzymes out of the organ.
Very rarely, this can lead to a backup of digestive enzymes, triggering inflammation and causing acute pancreatitis.
The official medication guide for Mounjaro lists pancreatitis as a severe side effect of taking the medication.
It says: "Stop using MOUNJARO and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back."
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis effects less than one in 100 people who take Mounjaro, but it's important to know the signs as the condition can be dangerous.
The NHS lists symptoms of pancreatitis as:
suddenly getting severe pain in the centre of your tummy (abdomen)
feeling or being sick
a high temperature of 38C or more (fever)
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The doctor continued: "I tell patients that if you experience any pain in your stomach that radiates to your back to let me know right away and then we can discuss stopping the medication.
"Your doctor may also do bloodwork as well on an annual basis, just to make sure that you're tolerating the medication."
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