A woman in the UK, Karen Coe, shared her harrowing experience after suffering an extreme reaction to a single jab of the weight loss drug Mounjaro. Karen, who is 59 years old and a size 20, decided to try the injections to lose weight and help manage her type two diabetes. She was prescribed the injections by the NHS. However, after receiving her first injection on March 14, Karen started experiencing a headache and dizziness. Three days later, on March 17, she woke up at 5 am with excruciating stomach pains, extreme diarrhea, and had to call for an ambulance, with her husband, Rob, 59, rushing her to the hospital.
Karen only injected herself once but faced severe symptoms. She was informed that her observations were normal and asked to monitor her symptoms. Despite these instructions, she continued to experience stomach cramps and passed blood when using the toilet for the next 24 hours. When she noticed massive blood clots on March 24, she rushed to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. After an examination, she was referred to see a colorectal surgeon on an urgent pathway. Karen claims that doctors informed her that her initial symptoms were likely related to Mounjaro. The NHS includes nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps as potential side effects of the injection, but the exact cause of Karen’s complications is still unconfirmed.
Karen, who works as an activities coordinator in Hailsham, East Sussex, described her initial symptoms as a headache, dizziness, and stomach cramps, which escalated to excruciating pain, feeling like she was being ripped open with a knife. Before trying Mounjaro, she had previously struggled with diarrhea while using metformin to manage her diabetes. Encouraged by success stories from friends, Karen consulted her diabetic nurse and was prescribed the injections. While she was informed about potential side effects like nausea and stomach discomfort, she did not anticipate such a severe reaction. Karen nearly passed out and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, feeling weak and unable to eat. Despite her symptoms starting to improve, she decided not to continue with the Mounjaro injections.
Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro (tirzepatide), emphasized that patient safety is their top priority. They take reports of patient safety seriously and actively monitor and evaluate safety information for all their medicines. The Patient Information Leaflet for Mounjaro warns about common gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and constipation. Eli Lilly advised patients to consult their healthcare professionals if they experience any side effects and ensure they are using genuine Lilly medication. Karen’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the potential risks associated with weight loss drugs and highlights the importance of thorough consideration and consultation before starting any new medication regimen.