Starting next day, July 1, a new medication called Mounjaro will be available in Spanish pharmacies. This medication is indicated for type 2 diabetes and obesity, and its active ingredient, tirzepatide, enhances the results of other similar medications on the market, such as ozempic.
The company Lilly markets Mounjaro for weekly subcutaneous administration in doses of 5, 10, and 15 mg, although only the first two doses are commonly used. The medication is not currently financed by the public system, but the company is negotiating with the Ministry of Health to make it happen.
The price of Mounjaro is 271 euros per month for the 5 mg treatment, and 358 euros per month for the 10 mg treatment. The treatment begins with a dose of 2.5 mg for four weeks, and then increases to 5 mg. If the expected results are not achieved, the dose can be increased again to 7.5 mg for another four weeks, and then to 10 mg.
Mounjaro has been approved for two indications: for type 2 diabetes, which affects one in seven adults in Spain, and for weight control in people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 and with at least one complication derived from excess weight or obesity.
The main difference between Mounjaro and ozempic is that it stimulates two hormones that help control blood sugar levels and reduce appetite: glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). This makes Mounjaro enhance the results of semaglutide.
In clinical trials, Mounjaro has shown “spectacular” results, including a reduction in waist circumference of up to 20 cm, and a decrease in triglycerides, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The medication has also been shown to cause appetite to decrease and increase the feeling of satiety.
Mounjaro is not suitable for everyone, and its use is only recommended for people who are decidedly sick and need it. The medication has some side effects, including loss of muscle mass, which can be mitigated by exercising. Only 4.2% of patients had to abandon treatment due to side effects.
