Four common side effects of Mounjaro and how to deal with them
Mounjaro has been making headline after headline this year after it began rolling out on the NHS this spring. Around 220,000 Brits are expected to receive the weight loss jag over the next three years.
But like most medications, it doesn't come without its side effects. The consequences of taking Mounjaro can vary between common symptoms like nausea to more rare side effects such as gallbladder issues and an inflamed pancreas.
While one in 10 people will experience common side effects of the drug, fewer people - around one in 100 - will see the most rare consequences.
Oxford Online Pharmacy assures that most Mounjaro side effects are temporary, and that there are things you can do to manage them until they go away. Here are four very common Mounjaro side effects and how to manage them.
Four common Mounjaro side effects and how to manage them
Nausea
A condition known as 'Mounjaro nausea' is a common consequence of taking the weight loss drug. The jab causes food to stay in your stomach for longer, which can leave you feeling more full and uncomfortable.
This is more likely to occur after eating too much or too quickly.
To manage this symptom, Oxford Online Pharmacy recommends:
Eating foods like crackers, toast, and plain rice that are gentle on your stomach
Avoiding spicy, greasy, or heavily processed foods, which can worsen nausea
Staying hydrated by sipping water or herbal teas to help settle your stomach
Drinking ginger tea or ginger lozenges, which may naturally ease nausea
If nausea persists, the pharmacy says they may recommend an anti-nausea medication, so be sure to check with your GP if you have persistent symptoms.
Diarrhoea
This unpleasant side effect is the second most common consequence of Mounjaro injections, occurring in one to two of every 10 users.
Because Mounjaro changes how your stomach and intestines handle digestion, your stools can soften and become loose, said the experts.
To deal with this symptom, the pharmacy recommends:
Drinking plenty of water or electrolyte fluids to avoid dehydration
Eating foods that are easy to digest, such as bananas, rice, and plain toast
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which have natural laxative effects
Taking an anti-diarrhoeal medication like loperamide
Gradually introducing foods back into your diet once diarrhoea has improved
If you have no improvement or have severe diarrhoea, you should speak to your prescriber.
Vomiting
Vomiting is another of the most common Mounjaro side effects.
Like nausea, vomiting while on Mounjaro can occur because your stomach is emptying slower, and it can also be triggered by feelings of nausea, so these two symptoms can be managed in the same ways.
Constipation
While diarrhoea is more common for those on the weight loss jab, some people taking Mounjaro might experience the opposite problem. This can occur because Mounjaro slows down digestion, meaning food stays in your system longer causing stools to become hard.
Along with reduced appetite, people using Mounjaro often feel less thirsty during the day. As they drink less, they also increase their chance of becoming constipated.
The health experts share some ways to treat 'Mounjaro constipation', including:
Adding high-fibre foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables into your diet
Drinking plenty of water, which helps keep things moving through your digestive system
Staying active—even light activity stimulates digestion and improves constipation
Taking over-the-counter laxatives to help soften your stools
Talk to your doctor if you're experiencing persistent uncomfortable symptoms.
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