Amy Schumer Reveals Mounjaro Boosts Sex Drive, Eases Perimenopause Symptoms

Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, an obesity medicine specialist at Weight Medicine MD, informed Healthline that it’s not uncommon for individuals to tolerate one GLP-1 medication better than another.

“Predicting who will cope well with these medications and who won’t is challenging,” she stated, adding that “those already dealing with gastrointestinal issues might find these medications exacerbate their condition.”

Garcia-Webb noted that, in her clinical experience, patients often report fewer side effects with Mounjaro compared to Wegovy, although some studies suggest the side effects are similar between the two.

Novo Nordisk lists common side effects of Wegovy as including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, upset stomach, headache, tiredness, dizziness, bloating, belching, low blood sugar (in type 2 diabetes), gas, stomach flu, heartburn, runny nose, and sore throat.

On the other hand, Eli Lilly reports that common side effects for Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, reduced appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain.

According to Garcia-Webb, the duration that patients can endure initial side effects also plays a role.

“Often, side effects are more intense at the start and when increasing doses, but then they tend to decrease over time,” she explained.

“So, if individuals can persist through the initial phase, they often find their symptoms reduce significantly,” she added.

However, sometimes side effects are so severe that some patients can’t endure them long enough to see improvement, which appeared to be the case with Schumer and Wegovy.

In addition to slowly increasing doses, healthcare professionals suggest several strategies to help patients adjust to the side effects of GLP-1 medications.

In a July 2021 article from Postgraduate Medicine, it was recommended that eating smaller, more frequent meals could alleviate digestive issues associated with these medications.

The article also advised avoiding fatty or spicy foods to reduce nausea and recommended adequate water and fiber intake to help with constipation.

Furthermore, educating patients about potential side effects is crucial as it helps set realistic expectations and makes it easier for them to stick with the medication until the side effects subside.

Trista Best, MPH, RDN, LD, a dietitian at Balance One Supplements, mentioned that there are several options if a specific weight loss drug isn’t working for an individual.

“If a medication is ineffective, possible solutions include adjusting the dosage, switching to a different weight loss drug, or considering alternative approaches like metabolic testing, tailored nutrition plans, or behavioral therapy,” Best explained to Healthline.

She noted that physicians might also suggest other GLP-1 drugs such as liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) or even explore weight loss medications that operate through different mechanisms like phentermine, bupropion, or naltrexone.

Garcia-Webb added that although these alternatives may not be as effective as GLP-1s, they could be more suitable for some individuals, especially those who cannot tolerate gastrointestinal side effects.

She also emphasized the importance of clearly understanding what patients mean when they report that their medication isn’t working, whether it’s due to side effects or other reasons.

“Often, simply lowering the dose, increasing it very slowly, and adding medications to help with side effects can significantly improve tolerance,” she concluded.

Amy Schumer’s differing experiences with Wegovy and Mounjaro underscore the personalized nature of weight loss medications.

While GLP-1 drugs can be effective, tolerance varies widely, and finding the right medication may require adjustments or alternative treatments.

For those struggling with side effects, strategies such as gradual dose increases, dietary changes, and patient education can provide relief.

As the field of obesity treatment continues to advance, Schumer’s open discussion serves as a reminder that weight loss journeys are personal, and maintaining transparency can assist others in navigating their own treatment paths.