Understanding the Side Effects of Weight Loss Medications
For every success story involving weight loss medications like Mounjaro, there are also accounts of individuals who have experienced challenges with side effects. These can range from hair loss and constipation to more severe issues such as extreme bloating. While these injections offer life-changing benefits, they come with their own set of complications that users must navigate.
Thanks to online communities, many people find support and guidance when dealing with these side effects. Social media platforms have become hubs where individuals share their experiences and offer advice to others who are also embracing a healthier lifestyle.
Lucy Davies, a 32-year-old mother from Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales, lost six stone over the course of ten months while using Mounjaro. She has since shared her insights on how to maximize the benefits of the medication and manage common side effects like indigestion. In a TikTok video that garnered over 3.5 million views, she advised against consuming fizzy drinks, stating that even sugar-free versions could lead to severe indigestion.
She also highlighted the importance of drinking enough water, suggesting three liters per day rather than the standard two liters recommended for adults. Her post sparked a variety of responses, with some viewers sharing their own experiences of not encountering issues with fizzy drinks.
One user commented, “Fizzy drinks (with) zero sugar are absolutely fine for me.” Another added, “I’ve lost five stone, I didn’t cut out Diet Coke. I need something to enjoy. Well done to you.”
In another video, Lucy listed her main side effects from Mounjaro as tiredness, sickness, headaches, feeling cold, and constipation. According to Boots Online Pharmacy, managing constipation can be achieved by increasing fiber intake through foods like figs. For nausea and heartburn, they recommend drinking plenty of water and herbal teas such as ginger, peppermint, or fennel. If vomiting occurs, they suggest eating small amounts regularly.
It is estimated that 1.5 million people across the country are currently using weight loss drugs through the NHS or private prescriptions. Last month, GPs were permitted to prescribe weight loss medications for the first time as part of efforts to address the UK’s obesity crisis. However, experts have raised concerns about potential dangerous side effects associated with these medications.
Recent data revealed over 100 deaths in Britain linked to these jabs, with at least ten cases involving pancreatitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is investigating whether this condition is more likely to affect patients with specific genetic traits.
This comes after a warning earlier this year that diet fizzy drinks, including Diet Coke, could increase the risk of type two diabetes. A study found that artificial sweeteners like aspartame can raise the risk of diabetes. These sweeteners are also present in drinks such as Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Sprite Zero, and Fanta Zero.
Some research suggests that low-calorie sweeteners can significantly alter gut bacteria, affecting how the body absorbs and regulates blood sugar over time, thereby increasing diabetes risk.
Mounjaro, often referred to as the ‘King Kong’ of slimming jabs, can help patients lose up to a fifth of their body weight in a year. These weight loss injections work by mimicking natural appetite-suppressing GLP-1 hormones, making individuals feel fuller and aiding in weight loss.