Weight loss drugs continue to be very popular to this day and based on this article from ABCNews, Mounjaro is more effective in helping people lose weight. One study which was published in JAMA found that those taking Mounjaro are 3x as likely to lose 15% of their total body weight compared to those taking Ozempic and other semaglutide medications.
According to the study’s authors, Mounjaro’s active ingredient tirzepatide, targets not just GLP 1 receptors but also GIP receptors. Mounjaro is approved by the U.S. FDA to treat Type 2 diabetes, but it is often prescribed “off-label” for weight loss.
The problem is that when used off label, it is often not covered by insurance and you’d end up spending upwards of $1000 per month.
If you’re considering this weight loss option, here are some Mounjaro success stories that will motivate and inspire you to take that step:
Mounjaro Success Stories from Real People
Natalie Wilgus
Natalie Wilgus had always been someone who took pride in her fitness but things changed dramatically after giving birth in 2019. Following years of hormone medications and IVF, she noticed her body was behaving differently. Her hormones were out of whack and she gained weight, lost muscle, had lots of awful mood swings and cravings. She also experienced hair loss.
At first she thought these were just typical “new mom” adjustments. But her symptoms continued and in spite of her best efforts she found herself not only struggling to lose weight but also gaining a lot more.
Natalie appeared healthy, but when she went for a routine checkup she was classified as “obese” based on her BMI. This news was a huge blow to her and the label “obese” was hard to accept. At over 185 pounds, she weighed more than she had during her pregnancy, and her self-esteem hit an all-time low.
Natalie was fortunate to have a supportive husband who helped her maintain some sense of hope. She consulted several doctors, but their advice was always the same: her weight would eventually return to normal. This went on for 2 years until she saw an endocrinologist who truly listened to her concerns. This doctor ran hormone tests and started her on low-dose testosterone injections. But after three months, there was still no significant change in her weight.
In 2022, her endocrinologist suggested trying Mounjaro. Natalie was desperate and was willing to try anything at this point. She decided the potential benefits outweighed the risks and agreed to start the treatment. Although the cost was steep—initially $25 with a manufacturer’s coupon, but eventually rising to around $1,000 per month—Natalie was determined to give it a try.
From the moment Natalie took her first injection things began to change. Her cravings were completely gone and her portion sizes were halved. Within the first two weeks, she had lost around 10 pounds. Over the course of six months, she lost more than 55 pounds.
Natalie’s background as a certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist helped her minimize muscle loss during her weight loss journey. She adjusted her diet and workouts to maintain her muscle mass as her body shed fat.
Once Natalie hit her goal weight, she decided to stop taking Mounjaro. She had reached a weight that was healthy and sustainable for her. Besides, taking Mounjaro was becoming costly around $1,000 per month. This financial burden motivated her to reach her goal weight as quickly as possible.
So she gradually weaned off the medication. She did gain a few pounds, which she believes were mostly muscle as she continued to push herself in the gym.
Sharon Schwartz
In 2022, 61 year old Sharon Schwartz received some news that shook her to the core—she was prediabetic. As a nurse anesthetist with 35 years of experience, she knew all too well the dangers of diabetes. This diagnosis was a wake-up call for Sharon, who weighed 200 pounds.
She adopted a low-carbohydrate diet and started taking Mounjaro, a medication often prescribed for Type 2 diabetes but also known to aid in weight loss. To her amazement, the results were almost immediate.
“Much to my surprise, it worked,” she recalls.
Sharon’s struggle with weight began long before this diagnosis. As a child, she was often bigger than her peers, and bullies cruelly targeted her for it. “Kids can be mean,” she remembers, and the hurtful comments often drove her to eat for comfort. However, over the years, Sharon had managed to lose weight through diet and exercise.
But about 25 years ago, Sharon was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The surgery to remove her thyroid meant she had to rely on synthetic hormones to replace what her body could no longer produce naturally. Losing weight became increasingly difficult for her and although she had managed to shed pounds at various times in her life, this time, nothing seemed to work.
Sharon tried everything – walking seven miles a day and eating healthy. But when even this failed to make a difference, she decided to see her doctor for answers. Blood tests revealed that her hemoglobin A1C level was just shy of a diabetes diagnosis.
A friend suggested she consider GLP-1 agonists. Sharon began her journey with Mounjaro and noticed a change almost immediately. “I lost 10 pounds in a week,” she said.
Sharon adopted a low-carb pescatarian diet. She continued to walk daily and also included weight training into her routine.
After losing a total of 75 pounds, Sharon now weighs 112 pounds. While she’s pleased with how she looks, it’s the practical benefits that she values most. Life has become easier according to her. “Movement in general is easier and safer,” she notes.
Sharon’s weight loss journey also brought a change in her outlook on life. Although she had always been a happy person, she now feels more joyful.
Mounjaro Reviews from Drugs.com
Here are other Mounjaro weight loss success stories we found from Drugs.com:
Donna
“I’m 58 years old and weighed 176 lbs. I started on Mounjaro at the end of last August. I had tried several different ways to lose weight, and if I lost, I would gain back plus some. I was taking 2 kinds of blood pressure pills a day and having hip, leg, and foot pain. I’m on the 5 mg and have currently lost 56 lbs, now weighing 120 lbs. I’m down to one blood pressure pill a day, and the dosage has been lowered. My hip, leg, and foot pain is 95% better. I feel amazing and have more confidence in myself. Even my husband calls me his skinny wife. Hope this helps someone and best of luck. This is an amazing med, and I hope they will approve it for weight loss! Would love it to help someone as well as it has me!!”
Miracle
“I am a 38-year-old female who began taking Mounjaro almost a year and a half ago. My beginning weight was 300 pounds. I had high blood pressure and type two diabetes. My doctor started me on the lowest dose possible, and we only increased the dose to 5 mg when I hit a plateau after losing about 70 pounds. I never had to increase after that. In the last 18 months, I have lost 130 pounds! My current weight is 170 pounds which surpassed my goal weight! My blood pressure is within normal range and my type two diabetes is controlled! In addition to using the medication, I used portion control and dancing as a form of exercise. The weight just melted off. The first three months were the most difficult for my body to adjust to the medication. Once I learned what foods my body needed and which ones to avoid, things got easier! I definitely recommend this product for anyone looking to lose weight. I am beyond satisfied with this medication!”
More Mounjaro Success Stories from Reddit
Competitive_Touch_86
24 hours after my first 2.5mg dose I was convinced this drug class had such a dramatic effect on me I put it up there with benzos and opioids. I still think so 6mo and 90lbs later. The change in brain chemistry for me is still amazing to me.
psicologo94
I’m female, 29 and 5’5.5” I’m a year into my journey and I’m down 100lbs. SW 241 CW 139. I’m also down almost 14 BMI points.
My experience has been 95% positive! The remaining 2.5% would be side effects and 2.5% my inability to get past my thought distortion of I ‘cheated’. (My Dr. wanted me to start months earlier but couldn’t bring myself to do it.) I get really uncomfortable when people ask me how I lost the weight. It’s definitely something I address with my therapist
Only thing I regret is not starting it sooner.
Vincent_Curry
At my heaviest of 213 and my most recent picture of 157. I started Mounjaro in July of this year and I was hopeful but skeptical because while I saw other people’s successes i didn’t know if it would work for me. I took it on a Friday 2.5mg shot, and didn’t eat all weekend.
Once I saw the weight melting off, i decided to buy me a upscale scale that kept track of different metrics other than lbs. The effects the first couple of weeks were manageable, but I also made sure when I ate.. WHEN I ate.. that it wasn’t the junk that got me to where I was in the first place.
I changed my eating habits but something happened that I wasn’t prepared for… My metabolism kicked back in to what it was in the 80’s and 90s. I ate but more importantly the food didn’t stick and im not eating five plus times a day either.
I hit my goal in November and have been in maintenance for the past two months going from weekly shots to monthly. I am currently on 7.5 but got my latest box at 5.0 and based on my current rate these two boxes will last me until July of this year. I have the food noises, but again they are manageable and not overwhelming to the point of my binge eating also i keep plenty of before and afters to remind me of how easily I can go back if I allow the noises to take control.
Diet, exercise, portion control, and how much i eat per day and what i eat are the keys to me maintaining my weight within a ten lb flex (155-165) my goal was 160 and i am currently as of today 161 after two months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mounjaro
How Quickly Does Mounjaro Start Working?
Mounjaro starts working just hours after your first injection. Some users have noticed early effects, such as feeling fuller after meals, within about 12 hours.
However, it can differ from person to person. Clinical studies reveal that most people start to experience Mounjaro’s blood sugar-lowering effects within the first month of treatment. The full effects often become noticeable after about 4 to 6 months.
Is Mounjaro Safe for You to Use?
Yes, Mounjaro is generally safe for most people with type 2 diabetes. But you need to discuss your complete medical history with your healthcare provider before beginning treatment.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some people also experience constipation, burping or bloating. These symptoms are usually mild and tend to lessen over time.
In rare cases, more serious side effects have been reported such as low blood sugar, allergic reactions and kidney problems.
How Can You Save on Mounjaro?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can cost between $1,000 and $1,200 or more per month without insurance. That’s at least $12,000 a year if you’re paying out of pocket. Here are some ways you can save on this medication:
Use coupons
Sites like GoodRx offers discounts on many medications, including Mounjaro.
Check your insurance coverage
Some health insurance plans cover Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes since it’s FDA-approved for that condition. However, if you’re using it for weight loss (an off-label use), your insurance may not cover it.
Apply for a Mounjaro Savings Card
If you qualify, a Mounjaro Savings Card could reduce your cost to as little as $25 for a 1-month or 3-month supply. Eligibility requires commercial insurance and a prescription that matches FDA-approved labeling, but your plan doesn’t need to cover the drug.
To qualify, you need to:
- Have commercial medication insurance
- Be a U.S. or Puerto Rico resident
- At least 18 years old
- Have a prescription consistent with FDA-approved labeling
- Not enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare or other government-funded programs.
Consider Mounjaro alternatives
If your insurance doesn’t cover Mounjaro, a more affordable alternative would be compounded tirzepatide which is the active ingredient found in Mounjaro. This is offered by telehealth providers like Brightmeds. They work with licensed US pharmacies to provide you with effective weight loss treatments at budget-friendly prices.