Woman on Mounjaro warns people to ‘NEVER go cold turkey' after revealing brutal side effects when she had supply issues

The Sun

5 days ago

A WOMAN has shared the brutally honest truth about what happened when she was forced to ''go cold turkey'' from Mounjaro.
Content creator Freya has been using the fat jab to help manage her weight.
3
3
However, in a recent post, the young TikToker revealed she had to temporarily stop the popular medication while waiting for a new pen to arrive — and the effect was immediate.
Mounjaro is regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs.
Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams acknowledged that Mounjaro, which has been rolled out on the NHS, can save the lives of people with 'life-threatening levels of obesity.'
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.'
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.
The now-viral video, which has racked up more than an astronomical 1.1million views, shows Freya demolishing a stacked cheeseburger.
I went on fat jabs but the hair loss was unbelievable so I quit - I'd rather be chubby with hair than skinny and bald
''Take this as a sign to NEVER go cold turkey from Mounjaro,'' she wrote.
''I would have done very sinister things for this burger.
''My hunger is out of control - I want to punch everyone who is not food in the face.''
In the comments, Freya, who posts under the username @ freyatheblondieee, explained: ''Having issues with getting my next dosage, which is the only reason I'm cold turkey right now.
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.
''It's not by choice - I think drastically dropping is far too risky for weight gain.''
The TikToker also confirmed she had been on a '' high dose '' of the jab.
Social media users react
The brutally honest clip sparked over 600 comments left by fellow fat jab users - many of whom opened up about their experience of '' food noise ''.
''Food noise'' is the term used to describe the near-constant stream of thoughts about eating that some people struggle to switch off.
More often than not, this leads to cravings for calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods and episodes of bingeing.
One wrote: ''I gained three stone in six months after I stopped it. Went to Turkey, had the [ gastric ] balloon.''
Another chimed in: ''The hunger that comes after it is awful - I've put on a stone in six weeks. Waste of money.''
A third said: ''I forgot to order my jab in time and was a literal feral person. This made me laugh so much but equally terrified to come off.''
However, others pointed out that in their eyes medications like Mounjaro aren't a permanent fix - but rather tools to help users develop healthier habits in the long run.
One follower shared: ''I was absolutely starving when I came off it.
''Took so much willpower for a couple of weeks, but now I'm eating just like I was when I was on it.
''Lost three stone with Mounjaro and another two since stopping. You just have to push through until the hunger passes.''
Another said: ''Been off it three days and I'm definitely eating more. But this is where willpower comes in. I'll never be the 26 stone I was last year.''
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 reality of Mounjaro
Although many have boasted about weight loss success since using Mounjaro, last year it was revealed that Scots nurse Susan McGowan, 58, died after taking low-dose injections of Mounjaro over a fortnight.
A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking weight loss drugs.
The common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to severe dehydration.
And if that wasn't bad enough, doctors say they have also seen 'life-threatening complications', including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas.
Model Lottie Moss, 27, even said she had a seizure after taking high doses of Ozempic.
The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK, said patient safety is its 'top priority'.
Lilly UK stressed: '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.
'If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.'