Mounjaro Frenzy: Overwhelmed With Queries About Weight-Loss Drug, Doctors Warn Against Cosmetic Use

On March 20, the American drugmaker launched Mounjaro which instantly sparked overwhelming demand, particularly by those seeking weight loss and diabetes management. Doctors are flooded with requests from patients eager to start Mounjaro or learn more about its benefits.

Also, social media is exploding with discussions — some applauding it as a ground-breaking treatment, while others discussing its potential side effects.

Approved by India’s apex drug regulatory body, Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection priced at Rs 4,375 for a 5 mg vial and Rs 3,500 for a 2.5 mg vial – making the monthly expenditure around Rs 14,000-Rs 17,500. The drug is claimed to be 80 per cent cheaper than in the United States.

While this is great news for patients, it also makes the drug more affordable to those interested in trying it for its off-label use in weight-loss therapy. Hence, doctors are cautious about the growing interest in the drug and emphasise the need for careful use. It should only be taken with a valid prescription, multiple doctors told News18.

Dr Praveen Ramachandra, for instance, is concerned that people might mistake the drug for a cosmetic product.

A consultant at endocrinology and human metabolism, Sparsh Hospital in Bengaluru, Ramachandra told News18 that his department was noticing a “huge spike" in curiosity around Mounjaro. “Since its launch, we have been receiving multiple calls and texts from people who are not diabetic but are eager to try it just to lose weight. The majority of the questions on those calls and texts are common—how fast will they see results (in terms of weight loss), whether the drug is safe and if they need to follow any special diet while consuming the drug."

“We always remind them that this is not a cosmetic or lifestyle drug. It was developed for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity where weight loss is part of medical treatment."

Huge Interest Among Indians

“There has been a noticeable spike in queries, particularly from urban, health-aware people," Dr Mohit Sharma, senior consultant, internal medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, told News18.

“Most of them are curious about its weight-loss efficacy, duration of treatment, and whether it is safe for use in non-diabetics. Many others are reaching out to ask about how soon they will see results and if it can be an alternative to bariatric surgery."

Sharma has been replying to all of his patients that while the drug is effective, it’s not a “magic injection" and “it must be supported by lifestyle changes and close medical supervision".

Similarly, Dr Ambrish Mithal, chairman and head, department of endocrinology and diabetes at Max Healthcare, Saket, posted on the social media platform X (earlier Twitter):

Flooded with queries regarding the new #weightloss drugs. Update: #tirzepatide (#Mounjaro ) is now available in India in 2.5 and 5 mg strength single-use vials. It requires a syringe but can be easily self-injected like insulin and many other drugs. In clinical practice the dose ranges from 2.5 to 15 mg weekly. Use only on prescription and under medical guidance.

The growing interest in Mounjaro shows an increasing awareness of metabolic health, which is a positive trend. However, caution is crucial, as social media has been glamourising Mounjaro as a quick-fix weight loss solution—an approach that can be very risky.

Mounjaro A Blessing, But For Eligible Patients

A renowned endocrinologist, Dr Anoop Misra, told News18 that he has already started prescribing this drug to many of his patients.

“Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is a prescription-only injectable medication, primarily approved for managing type 2 diabetes and now also for weight loss. The starting dose is 2.5 milligrams (mg) once a week for 4 weeks to help the body adjust. After that, the dose increases to 5 mg weekly."

In case the patient needs more weight loss or better blood sugar control, the dose can be gradually increased to 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and a maximum of 15 mg weekly, with each increase happening every four weeks, Misra explained.

“Dose escalation must be done under a doctor’s supervision to avoid side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or more severe issues like pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)."

He explained that Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is primarily intended for people with type 2 diabetes who cannot control their blood sugar despite following a proper diet and taking other medications. “It is also approved for weight loss in obese individuals (body mass index BMI 30 kg/m2 or higher) or overweight individuals (BMI 27 kg/m2 or higher) who have weight-related health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease."

However, he warned, “It’s not for cosmetic weight loss or shedding a few kilos casually—it’s a potent, medically supervised treatment requiring careful consideration of its purpose and risks."

Similarly, Ramachandra explained that the drug offers an innovative approach to managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. “Clinical trials have shown weight loss of up to 20 per cent, comparable to results from bariatric surgery," he said.

For some patients, the drug is not new, as they had been purchasing it from abroad. “I have started prescribing Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) recently, but quite a few patients already started using it when they were abroad as it was introduced in few countries before India. Some of them have reported noticeable weight loss, improved sugar control, and in some cases, reduced appetite."

How Can Mounjaro, Without Prescription, Be Risky?

Sharma from Amrita Hospital believes “Mounjaro holds immense potential, but like any powerful tool, it must be handled judiciously".

“We as doctors carefully evaluate cardiovascular risk factors, BMI, and co-morbidities before prescribing. We have initiated Mounjaro treatment in select patients with Type 2 diabetes who meet the eligibility criteria."

The drug has shown promising results in improving glycemic control and contributing to significant weight reduction in clinical trials like SURPASS. Sharma, like many other expert, highlighted that the drug’s use in weight loss—especially for cosmetic purposes or among non-obese individuals—is “not without risks".

“Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. More serious concerns include pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, and a possible increased risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma."

Sharma pointed out, “Self-medication or off-label use without medical supervision can lead to complications. This is not a cosmetic drug—it is a potent metabolic intervention meant for medically indicated obesity or diabetes management."

Ramachandra, whose patients have been consuming the imported drug for a few months now, said they have also experienced side effects like nausea, fatigue, constipation and stomach discomfort. “These are not uncommon, especially when the drug is not taken under proper supervision or for the wrong reasons," he said.

It’s time to revisit the Ozempic controversies. Globally, several celebrities have publicly discussed experiencing side effects from using Ozempic and similar weight-loss medications when used for cosmetic purposes and without medical guidance.

From debilitating nausea, fatigue to rapid weight loss causing an aged appearance, popularly called the Ozempic face, hair thinning, muscle loss, and frail appearance—a long list of side-effects have been reported by celebrities.

While these drugs have been a boon for those in need, their misuse can be equally dangerous—especially in a country like India where regulations on over-the-counter, non-prescription, and illegal sales remain weak.