A seasoned healthcare expert is advising caution when considering weight loss injections. Deborah Grayson, a pharmacist with three decades of experience, has highlighted the “disturbing side effects” linked to these treatments.

Mounjaro, whose active ingredient is tirzepatide, is primarily designed for managing Type 2 diabetes and is self-administered via injection. These medications are increasingly being used for weight management because they extend feelings of fullness, thereby curbing appetite.

In a conversation with the Daily Mail, Deborah explained that these injections work by “slowing the stomach,” a mechanism that aids in weight reduction but might also “become problematic.” She has observed a rise in cases of gastroparesis, a condition where poor neuromuscular activity in the stomach causes food and liquids to linger for extended periods. She noted that the accompanying symptoms can be “persistent” and include an early sense of fullness, nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and heartburn.

Deborah expressed further concern about the potential for these side effects to be long-lasting: “It was once assumed that these issues would resolve themselves once the injections ceased.

“We are now understanding that this isn’t always true, and some patients may end up with enduring symptoms. This isn’t merely inconvenient; it can be life-altering.”

This discussion arises after Nadine Dorries disclosed her own experiences with Mounjaro. The former MP and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport mentioned she was prescribed the drug due to her prediabetic condition.

After starting her Mounjaro injections last June, Dorries developed severe heartburn and relied on Gaviscon to control the pain. But when she stopped the jabs in January, the heartburn only worsened.

Dorries said she was put on PPIs to reduce acid production and had to have an endoscopy, leading to a diagnosis of Barrett’s oesophagus, which increases the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer. Deborah said this side effect is caused by gastroparesis, “delayed gastric emptying”.

The pharmacist said patients taking these diabetes treatments could be left with “devastating gastrointestinal complications” and “locked into additional medication use”. She urged doctors and patients to “take this seriously”.

Eli Lilly, the maker of Mounjaro, told the Express: “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority, and we take any reports regarding patient safety seriously. Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data to ensure the latest information is available for regulators and prescribers.

“The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns patients to talk to their healthcare provider before using Mounjaro if they have severe problems with food digestion or food remaining in their stomach for longer than normal, including severe gastroparesis. It also warns that ‘delay in the emptying of the stomach’ is an uncommon side effect, occurring in 1 in 100 patients.

“We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”