Mounjaro is the best decision I've ever made & not because of the 4st I've lost – it's down to a surprising side effect
CLARE Butler struggled with her weight for most of her adult life. As an emotional eater, food was her go-to whenever she felt sad, happy, stressed, or angry.
But after turning to fat jabs, the 48-year-old mum has seen many aspects of her life transformed - not just her waist.
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Weighing 18st, 3lbs at her heaviest, Clare spent years trying every diet under the sun but found no long-term success.
The trigger for her weight gain? Years of fertility struggles and a fibromyalagia diagnosis.
Clare, from Manchester, shared: "I went through years of heartbreaking fertility struggles, including 19 miscarriages, and food became my comfort.
"About nine years ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. That's when my movement slowed, and the weight started creeping on more and more."
Clare turned to various diets - including SlimFast shakes, Weight Watchers, even the Rosemary Colney diet - but the problem she found was consistency.
She revealed: "I'd do well for a couple of weeks, but then something would trigger a binge.
"I'm an emotional eater - sad, happy, stressed, angry - food was always my go-to.
"Every time I slipped, the guilt, shame, and self-hate would pile on. I couldn't understand why I couldn't just stop overeating.
This cycled continued through her 30s and 40s and deeply affected her mental health.
"I battled depression and panic attacks, and I missed so many moments with my children," she said.
I lost 5st on Mounjaro - weird side effects are worth it, it's life-changing
"I'd stay home while they went out with my husband, and when they came back full of stories and pictures, it broke my heart.
"I felt like a burden, convinced they'd be better off without me."
But it was January last year when a friend told her about Mounjaro.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) became available in the UK in February 2024, primarily for private use.
But access to the weight loss jab through the NHS has gradually been rolled out.
By activating GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Mounjaro slows down the emptying of the stomach, making you feel fuller for longer and reducing appetite.
I spent months researching it, and in July 2024, I finally decided to take the plunge. It's the best decision I've ever made for myself
Clare Butler
This can lead to eating less food overall.
Clare said: "A friend told me about Mounjaro and the amazing results they were having.
"I spent months researching it, and in July 2024, I finally decided to take the plunge.
"It's the best decision I've ever made for myself."
"I had lots of questions and uncertainty at the start and I could never get hold of anyone at the pharmacy for advice and help.
"That's when I started to research for a pharmacy that offered support and found Voy and I am so glad I did.
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.
"Unlike most pharmacies they don't just send you your medication and leave you to figure it out on your own. They offer full support alongside it.
"They give you 1:1 health coaching, and my coach has been incredible in helping me with my mindset around my emotional eating, something I would have struggled to deal with alone."
Clare was nervous before taking her first injection, but once she did it, she said she barely felt a thing.
She continued: "Within hours, the constant food noise in my head quieted down.
"I stopped obsessing over what to eat next, and for the first time, I felt in control.
"I started learning about nutrition, trying healthier foods, cooking new recipes, and most importantly, learning that no food is off-limits - it's about moderation.
I remember going out with friends or family and wondering how they could leave food on their plates because they were 'full'. I never understood that feeling before. Now, I do
Clare Butler
"For the first time in my life, I can stop when I'm satisfied.
"I remember going out with friends or family and wondering how they could leave food on their plates because they were 'full'.
"I never understood that feeling before. Now, I do."
While weight loss jabs have been known to cause extreme side effects in some people, Clare says her side effects have been minimal - dry mouth, some headaches, a little acid reflux, and occasional loose stools, which she adds are all manageable.
Since starting the jabs in July, Clare has lost 4st 4 lb.
She still wants to lose another 2.5 to 3 stone, but already feels better than she has in years.
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Clare said: "My confidence is back, I'm enjoying life, and now when my husband and kids go out, I go with them.
"We recently went on holiday to Crete, and for the first time, I didn't need a seat belt extender on the plane - I cried happy tears.
"I even shared that moment on TikTok, and hundreds of people reached out to say they related."
And weight loss jabs have had a positive impact on her mental health too.
She explained: "My depression affected every aspect of my life. I barely left the house for fear of panic attacks.
"Mounjaro didn't only quieten the food noise, but it helped to quieten the over thinking anxious thoughts that had consumed my life for so long.
"My life is so different now to how it was a year ago. Do I still suffer with anxiety and panic attacks? Yes, but it isn't as severe and my confidence is slowly returning.
"My mind feels quieter around everything, not just the food noise. I have still had panic attacks and I still suffer with days of low mood but it isn't as severe as it was."
Clare gets her Mounjaro from a pharmacy called Voy.
But she didn't actually start her weight loss jabs journey with them.
She said: 'I used a couple of other pharmacies but they just were not good enough for me.
'I had lots of questions and uncertainty at the start and I could never get hold of anyone at the pharmacy for advice and help.
'That's when I started to research for a pharmacy that offered support and found Voy and I am so glad I did.
'Unlike most pharmacies they don't just send you your medication and leave you to figure it out on your own. They offer full support alongside it.
'They give you 1:1 health coaching, and my coach has been incredible in helping me with my mindset around my emotional eating, something I would have struggled to deal with alone.'
Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise are crucial when taking weight loss jabs, especially for long-term weight management.
Exercise is still tricky for Clare because of her fibromyalgia, but she's added gentle movement like walking on a walking pad at home.
She said: 'As the weight comes off, my energy has gone up, and life feels good again – something I never thought I'd say.
'I'm still on Mounjaro and ball park figure I've spent so far is £1,500, but starting it has been the best decision I've ever made.'
Latest guidance on fat jabs
On June 5, 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued new guidance warning women taking fat jabs to ensure they are also using effective contraception.
While information is already contained in patient information leaflets, concerns have been raised over many women purchasing the drugs online, who may not be aware of the risks.
Women taking Mounjaro should also use condoms if they're on oral contraception because the weight loss drug may reduce its effectiveness, said the MHRA.
And glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) must not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding and anyone who gets pregnant should stop using them immediately.
This is because there's currently not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby, the regulator added.
In some cases, women are advised to continue using contraception for up to two months between stopping the medicine and trying to get pregnant.
The MHRA has also reminded patients of the symptoms to look out for of acute pancreatitis - an uncommon but serious side effect of fat jabs.
The main symptom is severe pain in the stomach that radiates to the back and doesn't go away.
Anyone who experiences this should seek immediate medical help.
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.
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