A fat-busting injection dubbed the “King Kong” of weight-loss medications has been approved in the United Kingdom.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Mounjaro, commonly known as tirzepatide, for weight management.
The FDA approved it for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, indicating that they are obese.
It can also be given to persons who have a BMI of 27 to 30, indicating that they are overweight, if they have another weight-related illness such as high blood pressure or prediabetes.
“We have prioritised rapid assessment of this new indication for Mounjaro, given the public health importance of access to new medicines to help combat obesity,” said Julian Beach of the MHRA.
“We have drawn on advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines in coming to our decision, and as with all products, will keep the safety of Mounjaro under close review.”
The drug is the third weight-loss jab to be approved in Britain, after Wegovy and Saxenda.
Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said there are still steps needed before Mounjaro is brought on to the NHS for weight loss.
Mounjaro was created to treat diabetes and was recently approved for usage in diabetic NHS patients.
During an 84-week trial, it helped patients shed 24% of their body weight on average.
Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting are some of the side effects.
According to doctors, pairing it with proper diet, exercise, and professional weight-loss programs can speed up the results.