Rhianna Benson
As weight loss injectables continue to sky-rocket in both popularity and accessibility, users of one particular jab have opened up on a rather disagreeable side effect they've been forced to endure.
First rolled out to tackle the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are now frequently being used by millions of people around the world - especially in the celebrity realm - as tool to help shed a few pounds.
It's not just Hollywood residents relying on this controversial transformation 'hack', however, with many weight loss injectables now being readily-available on the NHS.
As we say, however, one variation of jab in particular has been linked to a gut-wrenching side effect - literally.
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Apparently, an increasing amount of Mounjaro users are complaining of suffering with chronic diarrhoea alongside the more commonplace side effects.
The latter usually includes the likes of vomiting, nausea and fatigue. Oh, and constipation, stomach pain and heartburn.
And just last month, Mounjaro users claimed to have noticed that they’ve also been shedding hair and suffering bald patches as a result of their bodies suddenly being placed under stress, and undergoing a very sudden change.
According to experts at Drugs.com, the latest, grim consequence occurs because tirzepatide - the key component of Mounjaro - affects how quickly and efficiently food is able to move through a person's digestive system.
Taking to Reddit, one user complained: "On it for a year, mostly constipated, but now diarrhoea 4 days now can’t go anywhere away from a toilet. Liquid gushing, won’t stop. Gonna try Imodium lost work too. Not good."
Another added: "This is an old thread but I was curious as to why I’m currently shitting my guts out and I believe I realised why lol.
Ideally, the slowing down of this process - caused by an alteration in hormone signalling - will create the feeling of fullness much faster, and cause this sensation to last much longer.
As such, a user won't feel the need to eat as much or as often, causing weight loss.
In some cases, however - usually occurring when a person first starts taking Mounjaro, or when they up their dosage - whereby their stomach and digestive system processes food too slowly, diarrhoea can occur.
If you fancy getting technical, this particular jab activates two hormone receptors - GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) - which control appetite, as well as insulin release and gut motility.
In slowing a person's stomach-emptying abilities all the way down, Mounjaro alters the balance of fluid and nutrient absorption in the intestines, causing stools to become looser.
On top of this, hormone changes occurring inside the body can affect the gut's microbiome, in turn, harming the organ's bacteria, again triggering diarrhoea.
Clinical studies on this particular side effect have shown that diarrhoea is reported in approximately 12-17 per cent of Mounjaro cases, depending on the dosage a person has been prescribed.
As we say, given that the majority of people suffering with this side effect do so after first being prescribed Mounjaro, this uncomfortable consequence is usually only temporary, occurring within the first several days and, at most, lasting a week or so.
When it comes to tips on managing diarrhoea whilst taking this specific jab, doctors say it's best to eat smaller, less flavoursome meals, favouring low-fat, non-spicy foods to avoid riling up the stomach ones again, and avoid greasy, high-fat cuisines.
On top of this, it's advised to stay hydrated, limit the amount of both caffeine and alcohol being consumed, given that these can increase bowel activity.
And lastly, most doctors welcome such a conversation, so if you're worried about the degree to which you're suffering from diarrhoea, book an appointment with your GP.