
I've lost 3.8 stone on Mounjaro but have had horrid side effects – hair loss & the ‘burning sensation' is just the start
A YOUNG woman has revealed that thanks to Mounjaro, she was able to drop down from over 14 stone to just 10 stone in 28 weeks.
But despite shifting the weight, Chloe Mckernan, 32, who is currently on her 'glow up journey', has experienced a number of horrible side effects.
Advertisement
4
A Mounjaro user has candidly opened up on the side effects she has experienced since using fat jabs
Credit: TikTok/@chlo_mckernan
4
Not only has Chloe Mckernan, 32, dealt with a sore scalp, but she's also experienced a "burning sensation" too
Credit: TikTok/@chlo_mckernan
4
Mounjaro is typically used to treat type 2 diabetes
Credit: Getty
Not only has the brunette been battling
Posting on social media, Chloe, who now has the 'confidence to wear shorts again', revealed that she has lost 3 stone 8 lbs after using
The young woman confirmed that as a result of taking
But she isn't bothered by what people say, as despite her side effects, she 'feels amazing'.
Advertisement
Read more on fat jabs
Sun GP
But despite this, the NHS warned: 'Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you.
"These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.'
In a recent clip shared online, Chloe revealed the side effects she has had from taking
Advertisement
Most read in Fabulous
Exclusive
She explained: 'Sometimes I feel dizzy when I stand up…always when I've not drunk enough water.
'I can eat most foods but some foods I used to love I can't eat…'
Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons
Not only this, but she also added: 'My scalp has been really sore recently…I assume this is due to hair loss…
'When I take my dose, the smell of food sometimes makes me sick.'
Advertisement
And that's not all, as she also acknowledged: 'Sometimes my skin feels sore to touch…This is a common side effect for Mounjaro…it's almost like a burning sensation.'
But despite the side effects, Chloe is 'so happy' she started her Mounjaro journey.
She claimed that it hasn't all been negative, as she also now has 'increased energy', no longer battles 'food noise' and has been able to better 'understand portion control' since using the
Advertisement
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.'
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
Mounjaro users react
Chloe's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @
Not only this, but it's also amassed 8,846 likes, 341 comments and 624 saves.
Numerous other
Advertisement
One person said: 'I have sore skin!!!! And achy legs.'
Shivering, skin sore to touch, being physically sick, back stomach pains, lethargic, light headed
TikTok user
Another added: 'The coldness, I am constantly freezing.'
A third commented: 'My period is the worst period I've ever had in my life.'
Someone else explained: 'The only side effects I've had is being cold a lot and really bad sulphur burps.'
Advertisement
Whilst another woman chimed in: 'I only started on Wednesday, I've been ill! Shivering, skin sore to touch, being physically sick, back stomach pains, lethargic, light headed….'
Fatal consequences
In addition to horrendous side effects, those debating whether to begin using
The injections are licensed for patients with
4
Advertisement
They are also available to assist those who are clinically obese (with a
The drugs, which have been widely regarded as 'fat jabs', can be prescribed by a practitioner - such as a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber.
But increasingly, we are seeing more and more people buying them through online pharmacies, without sufficient checks.
Not only this, but recently, figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed that
Advertisement
Following the death of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro, his family are now
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme -
Sun Club

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
More Brits developing cancer than ever before but survival rates have doubled since 70s
MORE Brits are developing cancer than ever before but we are twice as likely to survive the disease than patients in the 1970s, a report shows. Cancer Research UK studied 50 years of data and found tumour rates increased by nearly half – 48 per cent – between 1973 and 2023. Advertisement 1 More Brits are developing cancer than ever before but we are twice as likely to survive the disease than patients in the 1970s Credit: Getty There are now 607 cases per 100,000 people per year, compared to 413 per 100,000 then. Cancer has become more common as people live longer and the risk rises with age, but cases are now increasing fastest in younger people. Scientists are investigating whether unhealthy lifestyles now are driving up the disease further. Meanwhile, treatment advances mean cancer is less deadly than ever, with the death rate tumbling from 328 per 100,000 to 252. Advertisement The proportion of people who survive 10 years or more after diagnosis has doubled from 24 to 50 per cent. Michelle Mitchell, chief of Cancer Research UK, said: 'It's fantastic to see that thanks to research, cancer death rates have drastically reduced over the last 50 years, and survival has doubled. 'However, there is more that can be done. 'This report highlights that over 460 people die from cancer every day in the UK, and too many cases are diagnosed at a late stage. Advertisement Most read in Health Exclusive Exclusive 'If we want to change that, we need bold action from the UK government and the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England must improve cancer survival and transform cancer services.' The Cancer in the UK report warned that there has been almost no improvement to early diagnosis in the past 10 years. If I had access to more information on breast health when I was younger, I may have caught my symptoms earlier Nearly half of cases are still diagnosed in the later stages three and four, when a cure is much less likely. CRUK said: 'The Government must make a concerted effort to reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer at a later stage, with a focus on cancers that would lead to the greatest benefit in survival such as lung and bowel.' Advertisement What does it mean to be 'in remission' after cancer? Hearing 'remission' after receiving cancer treatment is good news. Being 'in remission' after cancer means that there are no signs or symptoms of cancer detectable in the body with the use of scans or blood tests. The person show no signs directly related to the cancer either. It can be partial or complete - even with the latter, it does not mean the cancer is cured. 'Cured' is not a term doctors would like to use, because they cannot guarantee there are zero cancer cells in the body. Regular follow-up appointments and monitoring are essential to watch out for a possible return of the cancer. People might need to take medication to keep their cancer at bay, for example hormone treatments. Remission indicates that the cancer has responded to treatment and is currently under control. Partial remission: Some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. Complete remission: All signs and symptoms of cancer are gone, although this does not necessarily mean that the cancer has been cured.


The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm in £21k of debt but Mounjaro's an essential buy each month, I've lost 5st without giving up Chinese takeaways
A MUM has revealed she has no regrets about spending £1,200 on confidence-boosting Mounjaro - despite being in £21,000 of debt. Nikki Johnstone, from Falkirk, started using the weight loss jabs last August when she tipped the scales at 18st 7lb. 5 Nikki Johnstone weighed 18st 7lb before Mounjaro Credit: Supplied 5 The mum-of-two has now lost 5st Credit: Supplied 5 She's used the weight loss jabs for the past nine months Credit: Getty The mortgage advisor, 36, had been unhappy with her weight for a long time, especially since having kids. But leaving a bad relationship, working on a debt repayment plan, improving her mental health and looking after her children - now aged three and five - had always taken priority over weight loss. Now, after taking a chance on Mounjaro, she has lost 5st and currently weighs 13st 6lb. Here, Nikki exclusively opens up to Fabulous on her Mounjaro journey. Read more in Fabulous The single mum said: "I'd been considering it for some time but was worried about all the horror stories you read and wondered if it was actually a scam or was this genuinely a wonder drug? "I watched loads of videos on TikTok of others taking it and describing the journey and saw a discount code for cheap so decided to get on board. "I've got about 3.5st to get to my ideal goal weight of around 10st which I hope to get to by the end of the year." Nikki is currently on a journey to pay off £21,000 of debt but insists she would "happily spend the money again and again" on weight loss jabs. Most read in Fabulous To date, the hard-working mum has forked out £1,238.99 on Mounjaro pens, which works out at an average of £138 per pen. And she always shops around for the best prices, often swapping pharmacies to keep the cost down. I've lost 3 stone in 8 months on fat jabs - there's a common error new starters are making & it means nasty side effects She said: "I like to say there is no right or wrong with money. You have to prioritise what is important to you, depending on what speaks to your soul. "My personal transformation journey is super important to me, and without health, you have nothing else. "I left my relationship in February and moved into my own little house with my children - I want to be healthy for me but I especially want to be healthy for them." Nikki had previously lost 4st on WeightWatchers but quickly piled it all back on, and tried Slimming World five times "with no success". But over the past nine months she's seen the weight consistently drop off thanks to "easy" Mounjaro, regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs. 5 Nikki says she has no regrets about using Mounjaro despite her debt Credit: Supplied 5 Her slimmer figure has given her the confidence to help others About half a million Brits use weight loss drugs - and the number is expected to double in the next year. Mounjaro works by suppressing your appetite, making people feel fuller for longer. The injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over). One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on someone's weight. While many typically associate headaches and constipation with Mounjaro , Nikki has been lucky enought to suffer from zero side effects. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. She said: "Mounjaro is just simple. It's easy. You don't really need to think about it. You stop thinking about food, you are in calorie deficit anyway because you don't eat as much naturally. "My journey has been slow and steady, not rapid weight loss at all, but fairly consistent. When I started, I never ever thought I'd get to five stone loss, it's a momentous milestone." Her slimmer figure has now given her the confidence boost to put her face out there, launching a TikTok page ( And she's not even had to change her eating habits either, still munching on takeaways every week. She said: "I actually have a second job in a Chinese takeaway on the weekends, so since starting this journey I've always had two Chinese takeouts per week at least and have still consistently lost weight. "I appreciate it might be why my weight loss is slower than others, I haven't tracked a single calorie. However, of course, my portion sizes are significantly smaller nowadays." She continued: "The judgement will always be there - especially me eating Chinese while being on Mounjaro. "You get told it's cheating and in some ways, some days, it does feel like cheating. How can I lose 5 stone and still have takeaway... all the time!? "But at the end of the day, everyone is on their own journey, and losing five stone has done wonders for my mental health, my self image, my confidence - and I would do it again just like this if I could. "I've recommended Mounjaro to everyone I know." 'Potential to kill' But although Nikki's weight loss journey has proved life-changing, users should note that Mounjaro can have fatal consequences. Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams acknowledged that Mounjaro, which could soon be rolled out on the NHS, can save the lives of people with 'life-threatening levels of obesity.' But despite this, the NHS said: 'Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you. "These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.' The drugs can be prescribed by a practitioner - such as a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber. But increasingly, many have been buying them through online pharmacies without sufficient checks. Recently, figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed fat jabs had been linked to 82 deaths across the UK. As a result, the family of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro, are now calling for a probe into the jab's "potential to kill." What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea : This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting : Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea : Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation : Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort : Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite : This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion : Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis : In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems : There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors : There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems : Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) : Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.


The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Omg – how sad' people say as mum-of-two sparks horror by sharing snap of her toddler ‘vaping'
A MOTHER-OF-TWO has sparked horror after sharing a photo of her toddler ''vaping''. Alysha Elsom left social media users horrified after posting a series of snaps of her adorable tots - one of which also included a photo of a little girl holding what, at first glance, seemed to be a Advertisement 3 One mum-of-two left social media users horrified after sharing a snap of her tot holding what, at first glance, looks like 'a vape' Credit: tiktok/@ 3 The experts at NHS warn that vaping is not for children and young people Credit: Getty However, what really caught the attention of more than 500k fellow TikTokers was the plastic blue item the tot was holding. Due to the shape and the vibrant colour of the object thousands of gobsmacked people quickly - and wrongly - assumed that the girl was Advertisement READ MORE ON PARENTING Although That's why there's a minimum age of sale for vaping products in the UK. It is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to anyone under 18 or for adults to buy them on behalf of under-18s. Additionally, exposure of children and adolescents to nicotine in vaping solutions can lead to long-term negative impacts on brain development, as well as Advertisement Most read in Fabulous They added that many teenagers who vape experience poor concentration, anxiety, mood disorders and A paper from NEJM in 2022 reported a case series where chronic vaping resulted in small airway fibrosis of the airways - a condition where the lungs become scarred, making it difficult to breathe. Police raid largest spice vapes operation after kids were left hospitalised 'Did I see that correctly?' Posted just two days ago, Over 500 people flooded to comments in sheer horror, with many totally aghast at what they had just seen. Advertisement The 4 horrifying things that can happen to your body after vaping VAPES were once hailed as miracle devices to help adults ditch cigarettes. But while the devices don't carry the same risks as tobacco, experts have warned that vaping might not be so harmless after all. Here are five ways vaping could damage young users bodies: 1. It could slow down brain development Vaping nicotine can permanently affect brain development in people under the age of 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It said that nicotine consumed during teenage years can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control, as well as increase the risk of addiction. 2. It could lead to tooth decay Dr Michael Heffernan, a dentist at The Wessex Dental Specialist Care, said most vapes contain dangerous chemical that can harm your teeth and lead to decay. Puffing on the devices could also lead to mouth dryness, creating an environment in which harmful bacteria can grow. 3. It could damage heart health However, some of the chemicals found in vapes can be damaging to the heart, with the American Heart Association (AHA) stating that vaping is "as harmful to the body's cardiovascular systems as cigarettes". 4. It could cause lung disease Vaping from a young age could leave children with breathing difficulties, with paediatric respiratory consultant Dr Mike McKean saying he'd seen reports of people developing lung disease related to vaping. Researchers from the US also found that young people who vape are more at risk of Read more on how vaping can affect your health ''Did i see that correctly..?!'' one was baffled. ''no way u guys genuinely thought her baby was holding a vape,'' a second wrote. ''got scared for sec,'' someone else chimed in, as another dubbed it ''so sad''. ''Why is the vape in the baby mouth,'' a fourth commented. Advertisement ''fully thought it was a lost mary,'' a TikToker said. After the short clip left thousands gobsmacked, mum Alysha explained what really was going on in the photo - revealing that it was actually ''a toy thermometer''. This was also backed up by another mum who hit back at the trolls, writing: ''It's a 3 Alysha was later forced to clarify what the 'vape' really was Credit: tiktok/@ Advertisement