MOUNJARO STEPS INTO INDIA:
COULD IT TRANSFORM OBESITY TREATMENT?
Mounjaro, known to aid in weight loss of up to 22%—a figure comparable to results from bariatric surgery—has finally made its debut in India.After months of anticipation, Tirzepatide (marketed as Mounjaro) was launched in March 2025 in India by the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. The launch is a landmark moment in a country where interest in weight-loss medications has been steadily growing.
Touted as one of the most talked-about drugs since the COVID-19 vaccine, Mounjaro has captured global attention. Initially approved by the U.S. FDA in May 2022 for type 2 diabetes, it received further approval in November 2023 for chronic weight management, positioning it as a groundbreaking treatment for both diabetes and obesity. It is given as once a week subcutaneous injection.So, the current launch in India is backed by near about 1 and half year of international experience of its usage. Its global success has been extraordinary—Tirzepatide generated an estimated $10–12 billion in 2024 alone.
One of the primary reasons for the delayed Indian launch was the soaring global demand, prompting manufacturers to focus on more established markets first. Another crucial factor for its success in India will be ensuring affordability and accessibility for people across the country.
More Potent Than Ozempic and Wegovy
What sets Tirzepatide apart is its dual-action mechanism—it targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. This gives it an edge over other globally approved weight-loss medications like Liraglutide (marketed as Saxenda) and Semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy), which act solely on the GLP-1 receptor.Thanks to this dual pathway, Tirzepatide can lead to weight loss of up to 22%, approaching the 25–30% typically achieved through bariatric surgery.
Tirzepatide promotes weight loss by supressing appetite and promoting satiety by means of its effect on hypothalamus in brain; slowing the emptying speed of food from stomach thereby increasing the sense of fullness; improving insulin action and metabolism by reduction of fat storage, stimulation of fat breakdown and by reducing cravings for high calorie and high fat foods.
For comparison, older weight-loss medications usually result in just a 5–8% reduction in weight, while injectable semaglutide (Wegovy) performs better with an average weight loss of around 15%.Unsurprisingly, these impressive outcomes have sparked widespread discussion and debate.
A Shortcut to Weight Loss? Side Effects and Other Concerns:
While some health care observers insist that weight loss should come solely from lifestyle changes, concerns about potential side effects of medications persist. However, the reality is that many individuals struggle to lose weight despite genuinely committing to diet and exercise.For them, Tirzepatide offers a much-needed alternative, and its launch in India has been met with optimism.
It’s also crucial to dispel a common misconception—that India, still grappling with malnutrition in some regions, doesn’t require anti-obesity medications. The data tells a different story. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2022), 23% of Indian women and 22.1% of men are overweight based on BMI, with abdominal obesity affecting up to 40% of women and 12% of men.This silent epidemic significantly raises the risk of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and joint issues—many of which go undetected until serious health problems arise.Until recently, treatment options in India were largely limited to lifestyle interventions and older medications like Orlistat, which generally delivered modest results.
Though healthy habits remain the cornerstone of long-term wellness, achieving and maintaining significant weight loss through lifestyle alone is a difficult challenge. The introduction of Tirzepatide—and the upcoming availability of injectable semaglutide (Wegovy)—has the potential to redefine obesity treatment across the country.
More Than Just a Trend—It’s a Medical Breakthrough That Deserves Serious Attention
India’s anti-obesity drug market is expected to reach $2.6 billion, with Tirzepatide and semaglutide likely to lead the way.And the hype around these drugs isn’t without merit. These next-generation treatments do more than aid weight loss—they are also highly effective in managing diabetes. Beyond that, early evidence suggests they may protect heart and liver health. In fact, Tirzepatide was recently approved in the U.S. for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
In the United States, it is marketed in pen form, whereas in India, it is sold in Vial form making it comparatively cheaperie 80% cheaper in India than in the U.S. However, challenges remain; it’s still unaffordable for many. A 2.5 mg vial costs Rs.3,500 and a 5 mg vial is priced at Rs.4,375, which adds up to Rs.14,000–Rs.17,500 per month for the standard weekly doses.
The SURMOUNT clinical trials have shown impressive results: after 72 weeks, participants lost an average of 15% of their body weight on the 5 mg dose, 19.5% on the 10 mg dose, and 20.9% on the 15 mg dose. By comparison, those in the placebo group—who only received dietary and exercise guidance—lost just 3.1%. The SURMOUNT- OSA Clinical trial has demonstrated benefits in treating Obstructive sleep Apnea (a condition associated with night time snoring, excessive day time sleepiness and lethargy), making it the only drug approved for treatment of Sleep Apnea by USFDA in December 2024.Similarly, the SURPASS trials demonstrate its beneficial impact in people with type 2 Diabetes with 1.5-2.4 % HbA1C reduction over 40-52 weeks of treatment
As of April 2025, higher-dose options are still unavailable in India, and the drug is only sold in vial form, not as a more user-friendly prefilled syringe, which makes it less convenient to use.
Managing Side Effects and Safety Concerns with Tirzepatide
Gastrointestinal side effects are relatively common with Tirzepatide use. Clinical trials show that 31% of participants experienced nausea, while constipation and diarrhea affected around 17% and 23% of users, respectively.
Thoughmost symptoms are mild and tend to resolve over time, between 4–7% of patients discontinue the medication due to intolerance. To reduce these effects, doctors typically begin treatment with a low dose and gradually increase it—allowing the body time to adjust and minimizing digestive discomfort.
A 2024 study also explored what happens when treatment is stopped. Participants who discontinued the drug regained about 14% of the weight they had lost within a year. On the other hand, those who stayed on the medication continued to lose weight—an additional 5.5% over the same period. This raises an important, yet unresolved question: how long should patients remain on the medication?
Additional Safety Considerations
Tirzepatide carries an FDA boxed warning for medullary thyroid cancer, observed in animal studies. As a result, it is not recommended for individuals with a personal or family history of this condition.
Although large-scale clinical trials haven’t consistently linked Tirzepatide with pancreatitis, it remains a potential risk. Rapid weight loss can also increase the likelihood of gallbladder complications, such as gallstones or cholecystitis—reported in about 0.6% of trial participants.In the end, two guiding principles in medicine remain essential: weighing the benefits against the risks, and maintaining ongoing observation as more evidence becomes available.
So far, current data supports the use of newer anti-obesity medications like Tirzepatide as an effective supplement when diet and exercise alone are not enough. However, as with any new therapy, ongoing research and careful monitoring are key to ensuring safety while maximizing benefit.
Dr Sunil Kumar Kota
MD (Med), DrNB (Endocrinology), FACE
Consultant Endocrinologist& Diabetes, Thyroid Superspecialist
Swasthya Sadan, Berhampur
Ph: 77498 04401
Email: [email protected]
