GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro are designed to suppress your appetite. That’s what makes them such effective weight loss medications.
Most people on Mounjaro (tirzepatide) will notice their hunger levels decrease when they start taking it. This helps patients lose weight – and maintain a healthy body weight – when combined with an active lifestyle and learning what to eat on Mounjaro.
However, not everyone will feel these effects. Some users have reported they still feel just as hungry when using Mounjaro injections, which can be frustrating. So why is this?
In this article, we’ll help you understand why you might feel hungry while on the medication – and what you can do to boost Mounjaro’s appetite-suppressing effects.
How Mounjaro Works to Suppress Appetite
Mounjaro works by mimicking two hormones called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide). These are naturally occurring hormones, secreted by the body when you eat, that help control appetite, blood sugar levels and digestion.
By mimicking these hormones, Mounjaro essentially slows down digestion, so food passes through your body slower. This allows the pancreas to release more insulin and reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver, therefore reducing blood sugar levels.
Slowing digestion also means the stomach takes longer to empty. The stomach sends signals to the brain that it is full sooner. This helps reduce the amount of food you eat, resulting in sustainable weight loss.
Now, with any medication, every person will have a different experience. And Mounjaro is no exception. Many individuals report a significant reduction in overall hunger and cravings. But the degree of appetite suppression and how long they feel full can vary from person to person.
It is important to stress that it is completely normal to feel some hunger while on Mounjaro, especially on lower doses. In fact, it’s important that you do feel hunger, even as your appetite starts to get smaller. Not feeling hungry at all could indicate you’re on too high a dose. It could also increase your risk of malnutrition.
Still Hungry on Mounjaro? Here’s Why
As mentioned, it’s important you still feel some hunger on Mounjaro. But if your appetite hasn’t changed at all since you started your treatment programme, you might be wondering why.
Now, this can be due to a variety of factors, and it is important to remember that everyone will respond to Mounjaro in different ways. But here are some possible reasons:
Your Dose is Too Low
Many people who experience high levels of hunger while taking Mounjaro are those who have just started their treatment course.
Your healthcare provider will start you off at a dose of 2.5 mg, which they will increase every four weeks until you reach your maintenance dose.
So, it might just mean the dose of Mounjaro you are currently on is simply too low to have its appetite-suppressing effects. It’s likely you’ll start to feel less hungry as you move up a dose.
It is important to stick to the doses that have been prescribed and avoid moving up doses too quickly. Gradually increasing your dose of Mounjaro gives your body time to adjust to the medication and reduces the chance of side effects. It also allows for Mounjaro to work as effectively as possible.
Your Body Needs Time to Adjust to Your New Dose
If you’ve just increased your dose, you might experience higher levels of hunger while your body is adjusting to it.
Mounjaro gradually builds up in your system, with the concentration increasing as you take each dose of your pen. This gives your body time to adjust to the dose and makes it safe to step up to the next dose. That’s also why some people notice Mounjaro’s effects increase as they approach the higher doses.
So you might have a stronger response to treatment as you reach the end of the pen or your treatment course. By the time you’re on your fourth dose, the medication’s concentration in your body will have peaked. That’s when you might feel the most significant changes.
It’s Time to Increase Your Dose
If you stay on the same dose for too long, your body can develop a tolerance to Mounjaro’s appetite-suppressing effects. This can reduce the medication’s overall effectiveness.
To maintain Mounjaro’s efficacy, follow the prescribed dosing schedule and gradually increase the dose up to the 15 mg level (or the highest dose suitable for you).
As your body adapts to Mounjaro, side effects like nausea or digestive issues will usually subside. This is the ideal time to increase the dose, as it allows you to continue benefiting from the medication’s effects, particularly appetite reduction and weight loss.
You’re Experiencing “Emotional Hunger”
Physical hunger isn’t the only thing that drives you to eat. Even if your appetite is suppressed, you might still feel something called “emotional hunger”. This is when you want to eat to quell emotions like stress, boredom or sadness.
According to the NHS, emotional hunger:
- Comes on suddenly
- Feels like it needs to be satisfied instantly
- Craves specific comfort foods
- Is not satisfied with a full stomach
If you have ingrained eating habits that drive you to eat emotionally, you might still experience it while taking Mounjaro, particularly during emotional triggers.
The purpose of GLP-1 weight loss medication goes beyond decreasing appetite to shed pounds. Weight loss medication gives you space to assess your current habits and make meaningful diet and lifestyle changes so you can manage your weight in the long-term.
If you eat to quash negative emotions, weight loss medications can provide you with the opportunity to tune into your body and recognise when emotional eating arises.
Diet and Lifestyle
Even as Mounjaro suppresses your appetite, you’ll still feel hungry sometimes. And if your diet consists of processed foods that are high in refined sugar, carbs and fat, then you may still feel hungry in between meals despite the physical effects of Mounjaro.
These foods can cause rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar levels. Even while taking Mounjaro, these fluctuations can lead to feelings of hunger soon after eating as your body tries to compensate for the shifts in blood glucose.
Tips to Boost the Effects of Mounjaro
If you’re still feeling very hungry on Mounjaro, it’s likely because you’ve either just started your treatment or you’re moving up a dose. If this is the case, sticking to your dosing schedule and being patient is key.
However, there are some things you can do to boost the medication’s appetite-suppressing effects:
Eat a Healthy Diet
To maximise the appetite-reducing effects of Mounjaro, having a well-balanced and thoughtful diet is extremely beneficial.
When combined with a balanced diet and exercise, Mounjaro can be extremely effective. Studies show patients have lost up to 21% of their body weight at 72 weeks.
So focus on eating a balanced diet that is rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Getting a balance of foods from these food groups will help you feel fuller for longer.
Take extra time to plan out what foods you want to eat and prepare healthy, balanced meals in advance. This can help take some of the stress out of healthy eating and will mean you’re less likely to reach for packaged, processed foods.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water and limiting sugary drinks, like juice or fizzy drinks, throughout the day can also be helpful.
Staying well hydrated minimises the side effects of Mounjaro, helps with digestion and improves overall mood.
It can also help reduce your appetite. Some studies suggest that drinking more water before meal times can reduce food intake and prevent overeating.
Eat Mindfully
Another helpful tip is to practice mindful eating.
Mindful eating is the process of being fully aware and present while eating. This is done by paying close attention to your body’s hunger cues – helping you to eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full and slow down the speed at which you eat.
This allows your body and senses to fully experience the meal, helping you build a strong, healthier relationship with food.
This can also help prevent emotional eating by encouraging awareness and control over your eating habits. And, therefore, making it less likely that you will turn to food as a coping mechanism.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Usually, you’ll start to experience the appetite-suppressing effects of Mounjaro four to eight weeks after you start using it.
But if you’ve been experiencing persistent hunger for longer than eight weeks, it is important that you speak with your doctor. Your doctor may discuss adjustment to dosing, or explore other factors that might be causing excessive hunger.
Early communication can help ensure that your weight loss journey is as effective as possible. There could be a chance that Mounjaro might not be working for you and, if that is the case, your doctor can discuss what is the most suitable option for you.
Here at Simple Online Pharmacy, we have a dedicated Patient Care team who will help you address any concerns. Call us on 0141 774 5023.
Reminder: Mounjaro is Not a Quick Fix
Mounjaro is a long-term tool that helps support weight loss efforts. It is important to remember that it works best when paired with a healthy diet, increased exercise and adjustments to mindset.
Try to set realistic goals that are achievable for you. Expecting immediate or drastic results leads to feelings of frustration, disappointment and burn out.
Weight management takes time. Taking small, consistent steps is more effective than aiming for more unhealthy, rapid, quick fixes. It is important to celebrate incremental progress, whether that’s better eating habits, or increased physical activity.
Make sure to take time and recognise that these are positive changes which are the key to long-term success. By setting smaller, practical goals and taking a balanced approach, Mounjaro can be an effective method to achieve your weight loss goals.
Key Takeaways
- Mounjaro’s Effects Vary: Mounjaro works by mimicking hormones that control hunger, but each person’s experience may differ, meaning some may feel less appetite suppression than others.
- You Should Still Feel Some Hunger: Not feeling hungry could be a sign your dose is too high. So it’s important you still feel some hunger throughout the day. It’s also normal to feel more hungry at lower doses and as the body adjusts to the medication.
- Emotional Hunger and Diet Can Cause Hunger: Even while taking Mounjaro, emotional triggers or a diet high in sugar and processed foods can lead to feelings of hunger, undermining its effects.
- Healthy Lifestyle Can Boost Mounjaro’s Effectiveness: Eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and practicing mindful eating can help make Mounjaro’s appetite suppression more effective.
- When To Talk to Your Doctor: If you’re concerned about excessive hunger levels, it’s important to consult with your doctor for possible adjustments to your treatment plan.
Clinically reviewed by: Richard Wood, GPhC reg: 2078802
References
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. (2024). Managing emotional eating – University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. [online] Available at: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/managing-emotional-eating/.
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