Experts have advised users to fix one thing that may see the issue sorting itself out
A slew of Mounjaro users allege they’ve lost more than just weight on the injectable prescription medication, prompting health experts to detail how best to avoid the ‘alarming’ side effect.
According to Reuters, there is a surge in the use of weight-management injections, with up to 500,000 people obtaining the medications from private internet pharmacies.
One of the more well-known medications for weight loss is tirzepatide, also marketed as Mounjaro.
According to the NHS, the medication blocks out “food noise” and helps you lose weight by making you feel filled for longer.
However, the GLP-1 drugs can induce more than just weight loss; nausea, diarrhea, and lightheadedness are some of the usual side effects.
If you’re taking the contraceptive pill, it’s also advised that you utilize another form of birth control. According to experts, taking hormonal medications may cause your body to absorb them less efficiently.
Mass hair loss is another concerning side effect that seems to be making users of these so-called “thin jabs” panic.
Mounjaro users complain of ‘alarming’ side effect
Long-term Reddit users of Mounjaro have complained of a number of adverse effects, including the “alarming” clumping of hair loss.
In an attempt to get advise from others who are going through the same thing, some people have even gone so far as to post images of their broken hair.
One Redditor wrote in the well-known r/Mounjaro thread: “I am still losing so much hair.” These photos were taken after a single shower, starting with a fresh brush. I used to have a full, lush head of hair, but now I have to cover the bald areas. How much time will it take to recover?
They included an image of a brush with a wad of hair attached to it, prompting responses like: “Check if you’re low in iron.
“My hair was falling out in chunks and it turned out I was very iron deficient. Since getting an infusion my hair has stopped falling out.”
A second replied: “I was losing hair like that and from my last dose it took 4 months to go back to normal.”
Another began by explaining they’d lost 75lbs on GLP-1 drugs and that their hair didn’t stop falling out until their weight loss had ‘started to level out’.
“Once the weight loss levelled out and became less drastic, the hair loss began to slow down as well. No one understood how much hair I was losing every day!”
They continued: “I mean it was an alarming amount! So I finally kept 2 of the large handfuls from one shower and showed it to my mom, my doctor, my hairdresser… every one that tried to downplay the hair loss. Needless to say they were all shocked!”
Doctors explain why Mounjaro causes hair loss
According to a Manchester-based doctor, it isn’t just the GLP-1 medications causing your hair to come out in clumps.
According to Dr. Ed Robinson, who owns an aesthetics clinic, it’s a “combination of two things”.
“First of all, the people who use these medications obviously eat significantly less because it suppresses their appetite,” he explained.
“A lot of people use either more than the recommended dose or calorie restrict even more than is recommended, and that can result in really quite rapid weight loss and that can effectively cause quite quick nutritional deficiencies.”
Dr. Donald Grant, a general practitioner and senior clinical advisor, has confirmed the connection between hair loss on Mount Kilimanjaro and a lack of nutrient-dense meals.
He has also revealed what long-term weight-loss drug users should be piling on their plates.
Dr. Grant told SomersetLive, “A common error individuals make when on Mounjaro is completely discarding the idea of a well-balanced diet.”
“While portions may decrease due to suppressed appetite, it’s still important to prioritise the correct foods. Be sure to include foods rich in these nutrients to lower the risk of hair loss.
“Foods such as chicken, eggs and red meat can prove incredibly effective.”
Eli Lilly, Mounjaro’s manufacturer, previously told Tyla: “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority. We take any reports regarding patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines.
“The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet cautions that people using Mounjaro to control their weight may have hair loss as a typical side effect.
“We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”
