It has become a huge debate over the last few years.
But people across Norfolk are now trying to cut through the noise by sharing their real, lived experiences of the weight loss jabs.
The background
Tirzepatide – better known by its brand name Mounjaro – is a once-weekly injection that works by suppressing the user’s appetite.
It has been available from private pharmacies in the UK since early 2024, but the NHS is now in the process of rolling out prescriptions to those who need it most.
Despite the NHS’s criteria being strict – a BMI of over 40 and at least four “qualifying” weight-related conditions – the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) has said more than 11,000 people are expected to be eligible.
NHS prescriptions of the weight loss drug are being rolled out across the country (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
‘Life-changing’
A 23-year-old woman from Holt is among those who spoke very positively about her Mounjaro journey.
“I think it’s a great way to kick-start losing weight,” she shared. “If you combine it with exercise, it’s life-changing.
“I lost about four stone in seven months and that time taught me a lot about portion control.
“It is expensive, but it’s worth it.”
Another woman, from Norwich, said taking Mounjaro helped combat years of “constant weight gain” due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
The medication is also widely available through private pharmacies (Image: Faye Minton)
“I had become diabetic and was at my wits’ end with how I felt and how I looked,” the 21-year-old explained.
She worked with a dietician to try and manage her weight and “entirely changed” her lifestyle, but nothing worked.
This left her feeling “depressed” and “unlovable”.
When she heard about Mounjaro, she was “terrified” but thought it was worth taking one “last leap of faith”.
She came off the medication after successfully losing five stone.
Despite both women having positive experiences with the weight loss jab, they wanted to remain anonymous due to the stigma around using the drug.
‘Not a quick fix’
Others have warned users of the drug to be careful and not see it as a “quick fix” to drop a few pounds before a big event or a holiday.
Georgie Aldous, a 27-year-old influencer and business owner from Gorleston, lost four stone in five months on Mounjaro in 2024.
He ordered it from a private online pharmacy and said he followed their instructions “to a tee”, moving up to a stronger dose every month.
One person said they found Mounjaro a “great way to kick-start” weight loss (Image: Chris Radburn/PA Wire)
When he reached the third dose – 7.5mg – he could only manage to eat a banana and a coffee for breakfast, often skipping lunch and picking at a small evening meal.
It was shortly after starting the 10mg dose that he started to feel “frail”.
He begged his doctor for help and had blood tests that found he was severely deficient in vitamins and folic acid.
One night, he developed a temperature and his heart would not stop racing, leaving him “breathless”.
Georgie Aldous at the launch of his brand in 2025 (Image: Dani Cavanagh)
He was diagnosed with tachycardia after several desperate trips to A&E.
Mr Aldous stopped taking Mounjaro and he eventually recovered from the ordeal with beta blockers, but it took a long time to heal from the severe health anxiety that came as a result.
The businessman said weight loss would “never be worth” feeling the way he did.
“It’s awful that so many people feel the need to go on it,” he said. “There are so many societal pressures to lose weight – it’s insane, and it comes from everything – influencers, media, film, television.”
Mr Aldous started taking Mounjaro in 2024 (Image: Supplied)
He is now losing weight naturally with frequent exercise and a healthy diet, and he said he is finding it “rewarding” to do the work himself.
Since coming off the medication, he has been actively campaigning to raise awareness about the risks that can come with it.
“I think it is really important to talk about my experience because so many people don’t feel like they can tell anyone they are taking it,” he added.
He lost four stone in five months (Image: Supplied)
“There is such a stigma. When I was on it, I didn’t feel I could tell anyone, and if I had been okay on it, I probably wouldn’t have ever told anyone at all.
“I want people to know it is not a quick fix – it is literally a medical intervention.
“So, if you really feel you need to go on it, make sure you have tried everything else first.”
‘Patient safety is top priority’
The entrance to the Eli Lilly factory in Kinsale, Co Cork, where weight loss drug Mounjaro is made (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
A spokeswoman for Lilly, the firm that produces Mounjaro, said: “Mounjaro (tirzepatide) should only be used when prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional.
“Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority. We take any reports regarding patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines.
“The Mounjaro Patient Information Leaflet warns that increased heart rate (tachycardia) is a common side effect when used for type two diabetes and an uncommon side effect when used for weight management.
“We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”