How to stop taking Mounjaro or switch to an alternative

Can I stop taking Mounjaro straight away?

Following the announcement that there will be a Mounjaro price rise, some people may be considering stopping taking the weight loss injection.

Dr Jo Josson McConnell, Clinical Lead, Private GP Services, says that it is safe to stop Mounjaro, under guidance "In fact, you should stop your medicine if you have a sudden illness that makes you dehydrated - so-called sick days. You can simply restart it when well again," she says.

You may have hunger and food cravings and stopping Mounjaro may also cause a lowering of energy levels. If you have type 2 diabetes you may also have fluctuations in your blood sugar levels.

Dr Crystal Wyllie at Asda Online Doctor says: "Mounjaro suppresses your appetite and slows digestion, so coming off the medicine can lead to stronger cravings. Some people will regain weight after stopping Mounjaro injections because of the changes taking place in the body."

There is limited research around the best ways to stop taking Mounjaro, there is agreement that you need to have a plan in place and have spoken to a healthcare professional .

Some weight loss medicine experts recommend that you wean yourself off by gradually reducing your dosage over a period of time.

Kiara DeWitt, Accredited Master Nurse Injector, founder and CEO of Injectco, Texas, USA, says: "The ideal way to come off the medicine is probably slowly, as going from 10mg a day to nothing can make hunger seem overwhelming and trigger overeating."

These are the steps you can take to ease yourself off Mounjaro:

• Reduce your dose by 2.5 mg every 4–8 weeks.

• Continue to monitor your weight and body measurements .

• Monitor if your hunger or food cravings increase.

• If you feel hungrier or are gaining weight, then stop reducing the dose until you notice things stabilise.

As part of your plan to stop taking Mounjaro, there are various lifestyle measures you can adopt to ease the transition and help you stay healthy.

Wylie says: “Maintaining healthy habits, following a diet plan, and staying active can help to maintain weight-loss. Regular exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for everyone, but it is also essential for weight management. The NHS recommends that adults should aim to complete either 150 minutes of moderately intense activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.”

As well as exercise, other lifestyle changes you can make to ease the effects of coming off Mounjaro include:

• Eat high-protein and fibre foods.

• Have regular meal times.

• Get enough sleep.

Josson McConnell says: "Changing eating patterns and increasing exercise gradually to become the norm is key. Without these lifestyle changes, the weight lost is likely to return."

DeWitt suggests you keep an eye on your numbers and data and create a plan that works for you. "Let's say - 1500-1800 calories and 60-80g protein per day can create a framework that can help you manage your weight once the medicine is gone," she says.

You can switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, but you need to have a plan in place. The two medicines are both once-weekly injections that help regulate appetite and weight loss. However, as it is not a direct swap your body needs time to adjust to the new medicine.

Wylie says: “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 you will not have to undergo a longer period without any medicine."

Mounjaro and Wegovy work similarly, but have some differences, such as their active ingredient, dosage schedule, and manufacturer. When comparing the two for weight loss, the side effects are similar because they both mimic the same hormone.

Very common side effects for both include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and constipation.

As with stopping Mounjaro, if you intend to change to another medicine, you should always speak to an HCP. Experts recommend a break after your final injection before starting Wegovy, to allow the Mounjaro to clear from your system.

Wylie and Josson McConnell agree that once you have stopped Mounjaro, the first dose of Wegovy - or an equivalent alternative - can be taken 7 days later.

As when you first took Mounjaro, you should start taking Wegovy at the lowest dose - 0.25 mg weekly. You should then increase gradually every four weeks. This would typically be: 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg, to 1 mg, to 1.7 mg, and up to 2.4 mg depending on advice your given.

Compared to Mounjaro, the effects of taking Wegovy may feel a bit gentler for the first few weeks. It will take time for your appetite to reduce again and you may have more hunger cravings. This should improve as you increase your weekly dose.

There are various steps you can take to get the full effect of Wegovy and help your transition from Mounjaro - these include:

• Take your injections on the same day each week.

• Chew your food slowly and stop eating before you are full.

• Eat foods with protein and fibre.

• Avoid fizzy drinks and heavy meals.

• Sip water throughout the day and avoid fizzy drinks.

• Exercise regularly.