Mounjaro users panic about going 'cold turkey' - as pharmacists warn slimming jab stocks could run out

People currently taking weight loss jabs have raised their concerns about going 'cold turkey'—amid pharmacists' warning of potential shortages.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents more than 6,000 independent community pharmacies says that the current booming demand for the medication, which includes Mounjaro and Wegovy, may become unsustainable.

Their warning came after a recent poll of over 2,000 people showed an increasing demand for private and NHS-backed weight loss services.

GPs in the UK are now allowed to prescribe the drugs, collectively known as GLP-1s, for the first time in a bid to tackle the nation's obesity crisis.

An estimated 1.5 million people are now using weight loss jabs through the NHS or private clinics, while millions more are eligible.

The recent NDA poll revealed a fifth of participants had attempted to access weight loss treatments in the last year.

This figure rose to 35 per cent for those aged between 16 and 34, compared to only seven per cent of those over 55.

In their warning, NPA chairman Olivier Picard said: 'Weight loss jabs are one of the biggest drug innovations this century, but growing demand for weight loss treatment highlights the need to make sure this is appropriate from those who want it.

'It's clear from polling that many more people are interested in getting weight loss jabs than would actually be suitable for treatment.

'We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit from weight loss medication.'

They fear spiralling demand, fuelled partly by social media, could see people resort to unregulated online suppliers.

These online suppliers may not be offering weight loss jabs alongside a structured programme aimed at helping them change their behaviour.

The NPA is also calling for new regulations to protect patients buying weight loss medication online.

They would like a full two-way consultation and a review of relevant historical medical records to be required before treatment is prescribed.

Chatter amongst the jabbing community often leads to talk about coming off the drug, either willingly or because they can no longer access them.

On Reddit, users have warned against stopping weight loss jabs suddenly, and rapid weight gain is always their primary concern—or warning.

In one post, a woman planning to come off of Mounjaro asked for advice from anyone who had gone 'cold turkey'.

The post, which was published at the beginning of July, quickly gained traction, with over 152 comments.

In one, a user warned: 'Not just on my experience with MJ but other meds as well. It is a shock to the system to go cold turkey.'

Another wrote: 'I stopped medicating for a vacation and gained 10lbs when I got back as MJ's half-life faded. Not fun going through weeks of medication and hard work to get back down.

'Restarting was bad because you need to re-acclimate your body to the medication which causes delay for a month too.'

A third user added: 'I went cold turkey (came off for health reasons) after convincing myself I'd be fine, and hunger came back within a couple of weeks.'

Meanwhile, a fourth user said: 'I haven't been able to afford it for the last two months and I voluntarily went cold turkey. Immediately gained 10lbs in the first month.'

There is no evidence that stopping Mounjaro causes withdrawal symptoms in the traditional sense, says Kiran Jones, a clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy.

But speaking to MailOnline, she explained: 'What people experience is a return to their underlying appetite regulation issues.

'These aren't withdrawal effects from the medicine itself, but rather a resurfacing of the body's natural behaviour without the GLP-1 support.'

She continued: 'These medicines are generally intended for long-term use. For many people, that may mean continued use for life.

'The evidence shows that stopping treatment leads to weight regain for most people, often reversing much of the improved health progress they’ve made.

'It’s important to say that no healthcare provider should recommend stopping Mounjaro simply because someone has reached a certain weight.'

On those who may stop due to costs or concerns around supply, she said: 'Unfortunately, we don't yet have enough evidence to say what the best or safest approach to stopping looks like.'

But, she added: 'Some people try gradually reducing the dose, extending time between injections, or staying on a lower maintenance dose for a set period before stopping altogether.'

However, she warned: 'These approaches are based on anecdotal practice, not clinical data, and we can't recommend any one method over another.'

The pharmacist also urged those stopping to speak to their providers about their policy on restarting, because, for example, she said: 'If your weight begins to creep up again, but your BMI doesn't reach 30, will they still offer treatment?'

Meanwhile, Dr Crystal Wyllie, a GP at Asda Online Doctor told MailOnline: 'If you're planning to stop Mounjaro, or need to do so due to supply shortages, we do not generally recommend tapering the dose gradually.'

This is because, she explained: 'Given the long-acting nature of the medication, the effects will naturally diminish over time once it is stopped.

'However some patients may choose to reduce the dose gradually in order to maintain their current weight, rather than continuing to lose weight. This approach can be tailored to the individual, depending on their specific needs.'

Last week, TikTok user @freyatheblondieee went viral after sharing a brutally honest video about suddenly stopping taking Mounjaro.

'Take this as a sign to NEVER go cold turkey from Mounjaro,' wrote the British content creator, while eating a burger.

'I would have done very sinister things for this burger. My hunger is out of control—I want to punch everyone who is not food in the face,' she added.