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Mounjaro risks and side effects & Safety Information
FDA Warning: Risk of Thyroid Cancer
This medicine comes with a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This warning is called a boxed warning, and it’s meant to let doctors and patients know about the drug’s potentially harmful effects. In tests on animals, tirzepatide (the active drug in Mounjaro) was found to cause thyroid cancer, specifically thyroid C-cell tumors.
It’s unclear whether Mounjaro might have the same effect in humans, and no cases of thyroid cancer were reported in people who used the medication in clinical trials. Due to this potential risk, doctors usually won’t prescribe Mounjaro if you or a family member has a history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma or a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, which can lead to thyroid cancer.
If you experience symptoms like a lump in your neck, painful swallowing, difficulty breathing, or persistent hoarseness while on Mounjaro, inform your doctor immediately. They may pause your Mounjaro treatment, and if thyroid cancer is confirmed, you’ll likely be advised to stop using the drug. If you have any questions or concerns about the risk of thyroid cancer with Mounjaro, discuss them with your doctor immediately.
Precautions
- Pancreatitis: If you’ve had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) before, it’s unclear if Mounjaro is safe for you. Past pancreatitis may increase your risk of getting it again as a side effect of Mounjaro. Your doctor might suggest a different treatment for you
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Mounjaro could temporarily worsen a vision problem called diabetic retinopathy. If you have this condition, talk to your doctor. They may recommend watching for any changes in your vision and may advise seeing an eye specialist if the diabetic retinopathy doesn’t improve on its own.
- Digestive System Problems: It’s unclear if Mounjaro is safe for people with digestive system problems, such as gastroparesis. Having this condition might increase your risk of severe digestive issues with Mounjaro. Your doctor may suggest a different treatment.
Who Should Not Take Mounjaro?
Before you start taking Mounjaro, have a talk with your doctor about your health history. The drug might not be suitable for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:
Allergic Reaction in the Past
If you've had an allergic reaction to Mounjaro or any of its active ingredients in the past, your doctor probably will not prescribe it. Ask your doctor about other medications that might be better for you for managing type 2 diabetes.
Patients with Kidney Problems
If you experience severe vomiting and diarrhea with Mounjaro, it could lead to dehydration and potentially cause kidney problems. If you already have kidney issues and your doctor prescribes Mounjaro, they may closely monitor your kidney function.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
If you are considering getting pregnant, it is essential to assess the suitability of Mounjaro for your condition. It is advisable to refrain from using Mounjaro during pregnancy, as its safety profile in pregnant women remains uncertain. Notably, animal studies suggest potential fetal harm associated with tirzepatide, the active ingredient of Mounjaro. So, if you are pregnant, your doctor may probably advise you not to use Mounjaro.
Additionally, if you are breastfeeding or intending to breastfeed, your healthcare provider may advise against the use of Mounjaro (tirzepatide). It is crucial to assess the potential impact of Mounjaro on both you and your child. The safety of using this medication during breastfeeding is unknown, as researchers have not yet investigated its effects on breast milk.
Mounjaro Interactions
Mounjaro may interact with various medications, supplements, and foods, potentially leading to different effects. These interactions can impact this drug’s effectiveness, increasing the chances of severe side effects. The following is a compilation of medications that may interact with Mounjaro.
Certain Medications
Mounjaro has the potential to slow down gastric emptying, particularly when starting treatment or when your doctor adjusts the dosage. This effect may impact the efficacy of specific medications, including- Warfarin: If you are taking medication like warfarin (Jantoven), your doctor may closely monitor you during Mounjaro treatment and may need to make more frequent adjustments to your warfarin dosage.
- Birth Control Pills: For individuals taking birth control pills, it is likely that their doctor will recommend transitioning to a non-pill form of contraception, such as the patch or vaginal ring. Alternatively, their doctor may suggest incorporating a barrier method of birth control, such as condoms, especially during the initial phase of Mounjaro treatment.
Certain Diabetes Medications
Some of the diabetes medications that can directly impact your health are:
Insulin/Sulfonylureas: Certain diabetes medicines, like insulin (brands include Admelog, Lyumjev, Humalog, Lantus, Toujeo, Basaglar) and sulfonylureas (like Amaryl, Glucotrol XL, Diabeta, Glynase), may raise the chance of low blood sugar when taken with Mounjaro. If your doctor prescribes these medications, they might ask you to check your blood sugar often. They can also guide you on recognizing signs of low blood sugar and what steps to take.
Ozempic : While no current research shows any problems when using Ozempic and Mounjaro together, there are still risks. The main concern is the chance of experiencing low blood sugar and an elevated risk of thyroid tumors. If you take both medications, you might have more intense side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, kidney and liver issues, and more. It’s crucial to be aware of these potential risks and consult with your healthcare provider.
Metformin : Metformin, like Mounjaro, is used to treat type 2 diabetes and can also prevent diabetes in high-risk individuals. However, combining two diabetes drugs is generally not recommended due to the risk of low blood sugar, which can be dangerous, especially for people with type 2 diabetes.
Note: If you need clarification on how different drugs might interact with you, then it is highly advisable to consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
