Mounjaro: Can it cause withdrawal symptoms?

Mounjaro is a prescription injection used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and certain children with type 2 diabetes.

Stopping treatment with Mounajro, may cause physical symptoms, mental health symptoms, and changes in blood sugar control. Read on to learn more about what happens when you stop Mounjaro and how to help manage symptoms.

Note: Do not stop using Mounjaro without first talking with your doctor.

Mounjro is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.

Mounjaro mimics incretins known as GIP and GLP-1 by activating certain receptors (binding sites) in the body. By activating these receptors, Mounjaro lowers fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels. It also slows the movement of food through your digestive tract, which can make you feel full for longer than usual.

When Mounjaro is stopped, those effects of GIP and GLP-1 are decreased and the body can go back to how it functioned before.

Mounjaro may also be used off-label for weight loss. Zepbound, which contains the same active ingredient (tirzepatide) as Mounjaro, is approved to help with weight management. Stopping Mounjaro, may cause weight regain.

In a 2023 randomized clinical trial, people used tirzepatide for 36 weeks for weight loss. The people who stayed on the drug until week 52 lost an additional 5% of body weight. However, those who stopped tirzepatide and started the placebo regained 14% of the weight they lost.

Talk with your doctor before your stop using Mounjaro. Your doctor can help you gradually taper off the medication, which can help minimize the risk of rebound symptoms.

If you experience symptoms when stopping Mounjaro, your doctor or pharmacist can help provide recommendations to tips to help manage these symptoms. Some examples of tips include:

Your doctor may also start you on a different medication to help manage blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro is a prescription drug used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and certain children. While suddenly stopping the medication does not cause withdrawal symptoms, it can cause rebound symptoms to occur as the drug leaves your system.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about stopping Mounjaro.

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