Filmmaker's Hansal Mehta's Mounjaro journey: Is it safe for prediabetes?
Is Mounjaro good for prediabetes?
Mounjaro, the brand name for tirzepatide, mimics the function of natural hormones GIP (Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide) and GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1). It has a double effect, of increasing insulin secretion in response to food intake and improving glucose control and weight loss. It is officially approved for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss in people with obesity or overweight plus related health conditions.
Using it for prediabetes is off-label — which can still be appropriate — but should always involve careful clinical oversight. Research suggests it may also help prevent the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes, especially in individuals with obesity or who are overweight. Remember its use depends on how severe your condition is,
your age, other drugs you're taking to lower blood sugar levels and other conditions you may have. Also it's not a substitute for lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.
Is Mounjaro sustainable long-term?
GLP-1/GIP medications can result in weight regain if stopped without a solid maintenance plan. Lifestyle must remain the foundation of metabolic health. Many patients forget that both have to be in tandem and do not link weight loss with weight maintenance. While the drug does half the work, the other work depends on individual agency.
To that extent, the filmmaker did take positive steps. For example, a high-protein diet stabilizes blood sugar and preserves lean muscle.Strength training is not a difficult deal either. A simple strength training routine for weight loss involves squats, lunges, push-ups with light cardio like walking or cycling. This can be done every alternate day of the week. Equal importance has to be given to hydration and sleep hygiene. Water facilitates the kidneys' ability to filter excess glucose and dilute blood sugar. Poor sleep can increase insulin resistance, leading to higher blood sugar levels. Deep sleep enhances insulin sensitivity and improves glucose absorption
Is intermittent fasting a good option?
Though intermittent fasting is popular, I believe the primary target should be to restrict calories daily.
Exercise caution on supplements
NMN and Resveratrol supplements, as mentioned by the filmmaker, are promising in the longevity field, but still lack large-scale human data. Anyone considering them should consult a healthcare provider, especially if on other medications.
The emphasis on destigmatising the use of metabolic medication is important. Weight gain, insulin resistance and prediabetes aren't just lifestyle issues — they're also deeply tied to genetics and biology. Using the right tools with medical guidance is nothing to be ashamed of.
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Indian Express
6 hours ago
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Eli Lilly's weight loss drug most effective at preventing heart attacks and strokes: What new study means for Mounjaro users
US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug tirzepatide was found to be more effective in preventing heart attacks and strokes compared to its previous GLP-1 medication dulaglutide. The preliminary results from a yet-to-be published large trial showed that the risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event was eight per cent lower in people who were put on the new therapy. Tirzepatide is sold under the brand name Mounjaro. Belonging to a group of medicines called incretin mimetics — which mimic hormones that play a key role in regulating insulin levels, blood sugar levels and appetite — both the medicines were initially approved for the treatment of diabetes, with tirzepatide later receiving approval for the treatment of obesity and other related conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea. Dulaglutide mimics the action of the GLP1 hormone while tirzepatide mimics the combined action of GLP1 and GIP hormones. The trial found an eight per cent lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events such as cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks and strokes in people who were on tirzepatide as compared to those on dulaglutide. Tirzepatide was found to reduce the risk of such events by 28 per cent against a placebo, by comparing the results of the current trial with a 2019 trial of dulaglutide against placebo. Another important finding of the trial was a 16 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality in people who were on tirzepatide, compared to those on dulaglutide. The company said that the medicine reduced the risk of all-cause mortality by 39 per cent against placebo — again by comparing data from the current trial with the 2019 dulaglutide trial. The current trial also demonstrated that tirzepatide was better at slowing the decline of kidney function in participants who were at a high risk of chronic kidney disease. Tirzepatide slowed the decline in the kidney's filtration rate by 3.54 mL/min/1.73 m2 as compared to dulaglutide. The trial also showed that tirzepatide was more effective at reducing three-month average blood glucose levels as well as weight when compared to dulaglutide. The use of tirzepatide led to a 1.73 per cent reduction in HbA1c levels at 36 months as compared to 0.9 per cent with dulaglutide use. The participants on tirzepatide dropped 12 per cent of their body weight during the trial period as compared to 4.95 per cent with dulaglutide. With the new generation weight-loss drugs gaining popularity across the globe, it is essential for these drugs to demonstrate protection against heart diseases, especially since it is a common comorbidity along with obesity and diabetes. While there is a link between uncontrolled blood glucose levels and heart disease, not all diabetes medicines protect the heart. In fact, a previous class of diabetes medicines called glitazones were found to increase the risk of heart failure. With the end-game of these medicines being saving lives — and not just controlling blood glucose levels or body weight — the US Food and Drug Administration now requires the medicines to demonstrate that they do not harm the heart or, better yet, they offer protection against cardiovascular events. The new classes of diabetes medicines such as GLP-1 and SGLT-2 were found to protect the heart as well. Importantly, the competitor of Eli Lilly's tirzepatide — Novo Nordisk's semaglutide — has FDA approval as treatment for reducing risk of heart diseases. These medicines work by improving the secretion of insulin, which helps in removing glucose from the blood to the cells for use as energy. They inhibit the secretion of the hormone glucagon that stimulates the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, slow down the emptying of the stomach so that the blood glucose levels do not spike suddenly and reduce appetite by signalling to the brain that you are full. The drugs have become popular owing to their weight-loss properties, which at times can be as effective as bariatric surgery. Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. 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News18
17 hours ago
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Weight Loss Drug Mounjaro May Help Diabetics Live Longer, Protect The Heart & Kidneys: Eli Lilly
Last Updated: The trial included over 13,000 people across 30 countries and ran for more than 4.5 years, making it the largest and longest study on tirzepatide so far, the company said In a major development that could shift the way obesity is treated globally, Eli Lilly's weight loss and type 2 diabetes drug tirzepatide, sold as the brands Mounjaro and Zepbound, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular complications, including heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Eli Lilly on Thursday announced results from SURPASS-CVOT, a first-of-its-kind head-to-head Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes trial comparing two incretin therapies—Mounjaro and Trulicity—in adults with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Trulicity—made by Lilly—is not insulin, but it helps the body release insulin more effectively after meals. About tirzepatide Tirzepatide works by mimicking two gut hormones—GIP and GLP-1—that regulate appetite, insulin response, and energy use. This dual-action mechanism sets it apart from earlier drugs and is believed to drive both its weight loss and cardiometabolic benefits. In the SURPASS-CVOT study, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) was shown to be as safe as Trulicity in preventing serious heart issues like heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. While not the focus of the study, Mounjaro also showed better results in lowering blood sugar (A1C), reducing weight, improving kidney function, and lowering overall death risk. The trial included over 13,000 people across 30 countries and ran for more than 4.5 years, making it the largest and longest study on tirzepatide so far, the company claimed. These results hold significance for India, as the American pharma giant launched the drug here on March 20, and since then, the drug has seen rapid uptake. In just three months, sales soared to Rs 12.6 crore in May, tripling from March, according to Pharmatrac data. Priced at Rs 4,375 (5 mg) and Rs 3,500 (2.5 mg) per vial, Mounjaro's monthly cost ranges from Rs 14,000-17,500, nearly 80% cheaper than US prices. While the results from the trial are promising, detailed results for SURPASS-CVOT will be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting 2025 in September and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Lilly said it plans to submit the data to global regulatory authorities by the end of this year. 'Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among people living with type 2 diabetes," Kenneth Custer, executive vice president and president, Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, wrote in the press release issued by the drugmaker. 'The SURPASS-CVOT results show that Mounjaro preserved the cardioprotective benefit of Trulicity, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while providing additional benefits, including greater kidney protection and a reduced overall risk of death. These findings strengthen the case for Mounjaro as a potential front-line treatment for people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease." Findings of the study In the trial, the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke was 8% lower for Mounjaro vs Trulicity, meeting the prespecified criteria for non-inferiority. In simple words, Mounjaro reduced the risk of heart-related problems (heart attack, stroke, or heart death) by 8% compared to Trulicity. It also lowered the overall risk of death by 16%. A separate analysis using past trial data suggested Mounjaro may reduce heart risks by 28% and death risk by 39% compared to a theoretical placebo. In people with serious kidney problems, Mounjaro slowed kidney decline more effectively than Trulicity over three years. In the trial, Mounjaro helped patients improve their blood sugar (A1C), lose more weight, and showed better heart-related health markers like cholesterol and blood pressure compared to Trulicity. Both medicines had similar safety profiles. The most common side effects were stomach-related issues like nausea or diarrhoea, which were mostly mild and got better over time. However, 13.3% of people on Mounjaro stopped treatment due to side effects, compared to 10.2% on Trulicity. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
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