Mounjaro-Preiserhöhung: Ihre Fragen werden beantwortet

Meet our experts

What might happen to my health if I stop taking Mounjaro?

“Mounjaro works in two ways. Firstly, it causes you to feel full. Secondly, it regulates insulin release. When you stop taking Mounjaro, both of these effects wear off." Josson McConnell

“One of the biggest challenges people are concerned with when stopping Mounjaro is the possibility of increased appetite and weight gain. Mounjaro suppresses your appetite and slows digestion, so coming off of the medicine can lead to stronger cravings. Some people will regain weight after stopping Mounjaro injections because of the changes taking place in their body.” Wyllie

“When a person stops taking Mounjaro their body begins to adjust quickly to the absence of appetite suppression. Hunger cues return, cravings increase, and weight regain is extremely common. Blood sugar control is also impacted, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes who were stable on reduced medicines while using Mounjaro. Once off the medicine, blood sugar can drift higher, and their diabetes management often requires re-adjustment. Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea or constipation typically resolve once the medicine clears the system. But emotionally it can be frustrating and even discouraging for people to watch their weight climb back up." Baumholtz

What’s the best way to stop taking Mounjaro so I don’t get as many side effects?

“The makers of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, have given no guidance to clinicians on how to cease treatment, and at present, there is no published data available to say whether it is better to stop immediately or wean to lower doses when stopping this medicine. The manufacturers recommend that people stay on their weight loss medicine for the foreseeable future. This is called ‘maintenance’ and should be a monthly continuation at the highest dose you have reached to attain your goal body mass index (BMI).

"Just as high blood pressure is treated with lifelong antihypertensive medicine, we are advised that a maintenance dose of Mounjaro should be supplied long-term, as obesity is considered a lifelong disease. However, it is safe to stop Mounjaro. In fact, people should omit their medicine if they have an acute illness that is making them dehydrated (so-called sick days). They can simply restart it when well again.” Josson McConnell

"The ideal way to come off the medicine is probably slow, as going from 10 milligrams a day to nothing can make hunger seem overwhelming and trigger overeating. Tracking with actual numbers and data - for example, 1500-1800 calories per day, and 60-80 grams of protein per day - can create a framework that can help people manage their weight once the drug is gone. If people quit cold turkey, however, and have no plan, or no support, they tend to give up and regain weight. So, a slow reduction, with the addition of tracking, would be most beneficial." Dewitt

How can I lower my chances of gaining weight back after stopping Mounjaro?

"We do encourage people not to be beholden to medicines for years, and to think of the long term. Changing eating patterns and increasing exercise gradually to become the norm is key. Without these lifestyle changes, the weight lost is indeed likely to return." Josson McConnell

"I would disagree with the widespread assumption that one will automatically rebound when Mounjaro is stopped. The truth is that the more someone has built in structure to their days in terms of nutrition and movement, the less likely they are to regain weight. It is also true that people may gain 5-10 pounds in the first few weeks when Mounjaro is stopped, due to the appetite suppression. But even this can eventually stabilise if proper structure is in place." Dewitt

"A focus on nutrition with adequate protein, regular resistance exercise to protect lean muscle, and close monitoring with a physician greatly improves the chances of sustaining weight loss." Baumholtz

What’s the safest way to switch from Mounjaro to another weight loss medicine, such as Wegovy or Ozempic?

"Switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy or Ozempic is something I do regularly in my practice, especially when prices change or a person experiences side effects. For most people you can simply start them on the new medicine at the following injection. In other cases, you might want a short wash-out period. Some people tolerate the switch very smoothly, while others experience a short adjustment period. Starting at the lowest dose of Wegovy or Ozempic helps reduce side effects". Baumholtz

"You should leave a short gap or a ‘washout’ period of around a week or two before starting the new injection and then increase the dose step by step. It’s important to set expectations, as some people carry on losing weight smoothly, while others see a bit of a pause while their bodies get used to the change." Ahmad

"While there is no official published guidance for switching weight loss injections, the extensive information we have collected to inform our guidelines, supported by reputable experts in the field, suggests that no washout period is necessary, meaning that patients will not have to undergo a longer period without any medicine. Once you have stopped Mounjaro, the first dose of Wegovy - or an equivalent alternative - can be taken seven days later. This should prevent results from stalling." Wyllie

"A study in 2024 looked at switching from Wegovy to Mounjaro, but no study to date has examined switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy. We as private doctors now have three years of experience with these drugs in a clinical setting and can safely bespoke the switch-over people taking into account their results and lifestyle factors. In light of Mounjaro’s intended price increases, we have recently switched even more people from Mounjaro to Wegovy. I would always approach a clinic that sees you face-to-face to manage the switch." Josson McConnell

If I start a new treatment, what should I know about the differences, possible side effects, and what to expect?

"The key differences are in how these drugs work. Mounjaro is unique because it activates both GLP1 and GIP receptors, which can make it more powerful for appetite suppression and weight loss. Wegovy and Ozempic act only on the GLP1 receptor. That means people switching from Mounjaro may notice a slight decrease in appetite control, but they can still achieve excellent results with consistent use and strong lifestyle support". Baumholtz

"If you’re moving from Mounjaro to Wegovy, the effects can feel a bit different, especially around appetite and blood sugar. The medicines work in slightly different ways, as Mounjaro acts on two hormone pathways, whereas Wegovy focuses on one. So side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea or constipation are common at the start, but they usually ease off once your body adjusts." Ahmad

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