Smart Ways to Use Obesity Meds: The Mounjaro Story

Using meds to treat obesity has gotten more attention worldwide lately. This is because more and more people are struggling with obesity and related health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart problems (WHO, 2025). Because of this, new meds like Mounjaro, which uses the active thing tirzepatide, are being used as part of the treatment plans. It’s key to use these meds the right way to get the most good stuff out of them, keep risks low, and spend health resources wisely. That means we need to carefully check them out and make sure they line up with the best info we have.

Tirzepatide is like a double-action helper for your body. It works on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which helps cut down your hunger, make you full up faster, and keeps your body’s systems running smoothly. Studies have shown that tirzepatide can really help with weight loss if you also eat fewer calories and get more exercise. For example, in the SURMOUNT-1 study, folks taking tirzepatide lost way more weight than those on a fake pill (SURMOUNT-1, 2025). Plus, study shows that tirzepatide might be even better at helping people lose weight than other current therapies, like semaglutide (used in Wegovy and Ozempic). This makes it a really useful choice (CORREIO BRAZILIENSE, 2024).

Even though these results sound great, using meds like Mounjaro wisely means looking at not just how well they work but also how safe they are, what bad reactions they can cause, and who they’re right for. The Anvisa has said Mounjaro is okay for long-term weight stuff in grown-ups with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more if they also have weight-related problems like high blood pressure or bad cholesterol. But they need to also be changing their lifestyle with better food and more activity. This okay came from strong clinical studies like SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-2, which proved it was safe and worked well (ANVISA, 2025).

Anvisa says it’s strongly advised to use the med while being overseen by a doctor! And also says treatment must be adjusted if needed. This is a must for the correct use of the drug. This means watching out for stomach problems, low blood sugar, or other bad reactions, especially if someone has other health issues or is taking other meds (ANVISA, 2025, p. 3). So, doctors need to think about each person’s health history and how well they can stick to the lifestyle changes that go with the medicine.

Another important thing about using obesity meds right is figuring out who should get them first—the people who will get the most from them. International health groups think GLP-1 helpers like tirzepatide should be part of an all-around plan for treating obesity. But they always stress doing it with lifestyle changes and mental and food strategies. Guidelines also say that obesity meds shouldn’t be used as a quick fix but as one part of a bigger care plan because obesity has so many pieces (WHO, 2025).

Thinking about money and being able to get the medicine is another part of using it wisely. Mounjaro can be pricey in lots of places, which means not everyone can get it. Health pros need to really think about if the good it can do is worth the cost to the person and the health system. When governments or insurance plans decide to include these meds, they should look at how well they work, how safe they are, if they’re worth the cost in the long run, and if everyone has a fair chance to get them.

Finally, using meds like Mounjaro the right way means teaching patients about them and getting them involved in their own care. If patients know what the treatment is trying to do, what bad reactions could happen, and why lifestyle changes are important, they’re more likely to stick with the plan and see results that last. This reinforces the need for patient-focused health, which isn’t just about giving meds but also giving support throughout the whole thing.

Basically, the Mounjaro situation shows how tricky it is to use obesity meds wisely. It takes carefully looking at the good and bad, having clear rules for who should get it, doctor supervision, thinking about costs, and focusing on the patient. This way, these meds can be used in a way that’s good, safe, and moral, helping people be healthier.

EFERENCES

ANVISA. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): new indication — Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency. Brazil: Anvisa, June 9, 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/novos-medicamentos-e-indicacoes/mounjaro-r-tirzepatida-nova-indicacao. Accessed on: Jan. 25, 2026.

CORREIO BRAZILIENSE. Mounjaro outperforms Wegovy in weight loss in patients with obesity. Brasília: Correio Braziliense, Dec. 4, 2024. Available at: https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/ciencia-e-saude/2024/12/7004175-mounjaro-supera-wegovy-em-perda-de-peso-de-paciente-com-obesidade.html. Accessed on: Jan. 25, 2026.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO). Guideline on the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and related therapies for obesity. Geneva: WHO, 2025. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/guideline-glp1-obesity. Accessed on: Jan. 25, 2026.