THE ‘King Kong’ of fat jabs could help dieters keep weight off for three years, a study has revealed.
Italian scientists discovered Mounjaro blasts fat for the long haul, with women seeing the most dramatic results.
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In a trial of 700 blokes and women who were either obese or carried extra weight, half were given tirzepatide, the ingredient in Mounjaro, and half received a placebo.
After three years of using the jabs, those on the weekly weight-loss injection had shed up to 30 per cent of their body weight, compared to just 10 per cent in the placebo group.
The effects were particularly strong in women, who shed an average of 31 per cent of their body weight, while men lost an average of 26 per cent.
They also kept losing weight for longer, with 82.7 per cent hitting their weight plateau after 36 to 48 weeks, compared to 74.5 per cent of men who plateaued earlier.
And once they stopped losing, most kept the weight off – with 87 per cent staying at least 20 to 25 per cent down on their starting weight by the end of the study.
This suggests the jabs can continue working during long-term use.
Study author Dr Luca Busetto, from the University of Padova, said: “Our long-term analysis of tirzepatide establishes that clinically relevant weight loss can be sustained for up to three years in a diverse population of adults.”
The new research is being presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain in May.
Previous studies have suggested Mounjaro is better for weight loss than semaglutide – the ingredient in weight loss jabs Ozempic and Wegovy.
All of them belong to a class of meds called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They mimic gut hormones to slash appetite and slow digestion, making you feel fuller for longer.
Mounjaro is currently only given out on the NHS for patients with diabetes to help control blood sugar and encourage weight loss.
But new NICE guidelines will extend it to people with obesity and related health problems over the next three years.
To qualify, Brits will need a BMI over 35 and at least one weight-related condition like high blood pressure or diabetes.
But anyone with a BMI over 30 can already get it privately for around £150 a month.
Meanwhile, earlier the year, The Sun reported that 82 Brits have died after using weight-loss and diabetes jabs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.
The official figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reveal the toll up to the end of January.
The disclosure comes as a Sun reporter paid £280 for four doses of Mounjaro without any checks.
Fat jabs fact vs fiction
By Vanessa Chalmers
IN a world with soaring obesity rates, fat jabs have arrived and taken the world of the rich and beautiful by storm.
The injections have allegedly helped celebrities like Elon Musk, Sharon Osbourne and even Prime Minister Boris Johnson shed the pounds.
But there is a dark side to these “miracle jabs”.
UK health chiefs are investigating 20 deaths that have been reported as being potentially linked to the injections.
Several celebs, including model Lottie Moss and actor Stephen Fry, have opened up about all the horrible side effects they experienced while taking the jabs, from contorting on the floor to violent sickness.
Ian Budd, pharmacist for Chemist4U and MyBMI, says: “Using injectable weight-loss medications for cosmetic reasons or without a medical need is not recommended and can be potentially harmful.
“They are not a quick fix or a way to lose a few pounds before a holiday.
“Misuse of these medications can lead to serious health consequences and should be avoided.”
Dr Iqbal added: “They are for the management of chronic obesity, so they may not be the first step to take if your weight gain has been more recent or over a shorter period of time.”
Eligiblity hinges on having a body mass index of 30-35 (obese category), coupled with weight-related health issues such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
Fat jabs aren’t available over the counter, you need to have a prescription to take them.
Aside from getting a prescription via the NHS, you also have the option for paying for a private prescription.
Your eligibility will still need to be assessed by a pharmacist or GP, according to Click2Pharmacy.
But an influx of skinny jabs on the black market has resulted in people becoming sick and even risking death.
Experts warned a legitimate prescriber will have their credentials listed in registers provided by the General Medical Council or General Pharmaceutical Council and pharmacies should be registered with the GPhC
