Jump to: What are the potential interactions? | Benefits and risks | Weight loss and mental health | Take home message
You can take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) with amitriptyline. However, as no clinical trials have specifically investigated these medications together, we recommend telling your doctor if you start taking Mounjaro with amitriptyline.
While no known direct contraindications exist between Mounjaro and amitriptyline, both medications can affect heart rate and blood sugar levels, so regular monitoring is crucial for safety.
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant commonly prescribed for various conditions, including depression, neuropathic pain, chronic tension-type headaches, migraine prevention, and fibromyalgia.
Mounjaro supports weight loss by lowering hunger and food-seeking behaviour. Weight loss could benefit people living with depression by improving hormonal balance, self-esteem, and gut health.
What are the potential interactions?
When considering taking Mounjaro with amitriptyline, there are several potential interactions to be aware of. Still, these remain theoretical as they’ve not been explicitly researched.
The first consideration is the effect on heart rate. Both Mounjaro and amitriptyline can increase heart rate, and when taken together, they may have additive effects on your heart rate.
While an elevated heart rate is expected during exercise, monitoring any unexplained increases in heart rate during rest is essential.
Contact your healthcare team if you experience:
- A sensation of a racing or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Unexplained shortness of breath
- A resting heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute
Your doctor may wish to monitor your heart rate regularly if you’re taking both medications. They may adjust your dosage or recommend alternative treatments based on your individual response to the combination.
Secondly, by slowing down gastric emptying, Mounjaro significantly affects how quickly food moves through your digestive system.
This could potentially impact how well your body absorbs amitriptyline, although the clinical significance of this interaction is unknown.
Both medications can also influence blood sugar levels. While Mounjaro helps lower blood sugar, amitriptyline might affect these levels differently.
Your healthcare team may wish to monitor your blood sugar more frequently if you take both medications.
Benefits and risks of combination therapy
The relationship between obesity and conditions treated by amitriptyline, such as depression and chronic pain, is complex and bidirectional.
Research shows that people living with obesity have a 55% higher risk of developing depression over time.
Conversely, individuals with depression have a 58% increased risk of developing obesity, creating a challenging cycle that can be difficult to break without medical intervention.
Randomised controlled trials have shown that Mounjaro leads to significant weight loss of around 26% after one year.
This significant weight loss might complement the therapeutic effects of amitriptyline by reducing inflammation and improving overall metabolic health.
Clinical evidence from the SURMOUNT-1 trial demonstrates that Mounjaro can positively impact mental health outcomes, potentially enhancing the management of conditions like chronic pain and depression through multiple pathways.
While GLP-1 receptors like Mounjaro and Wegovy are being touted as having a potential role in the treatment of depression, it’s essential to understand the comprehensive support available to help manage and treat the condition.
Depression is a multifactorial condition, and its root causes lie in a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Current medications, like amitriptyline, aren’t necessarily treating the root cause of the disease but rather are managing a symptom so that patients can have more cognitive capacity for psychological treatments like CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy).
As stated above, obesity has the potential to play a contributory role in the development of depression, and people living with obesity are more at risk of developing depression than individuals of a lower weight.
However, depression can also play a contributory role in the development of obesity, and research suggests that there’s a strong association between adverse life experiences and obesity.
So, we’d recommend speaking with your GP about potential treatments for depression and other mood disorders like anxiety if you’re considering taking Mounjaro with amitriptyline.
Weight loss and mental health
The impact of weight loss on mental health and chronic pain management extends beyond the numbers on the scale.
Recent clinical research has provided compelling evidence for Mounjaro’s positive effects on mental health and quality of life.
The SURMOUNT-1 trial, a large Phase 3 study involving 2,539 participants, specifically investigated how Mounjaro affects mental health and psychosocial function.
The researchers used validated assessment tools to measure health-related quality of life, including mental health and emotional well-being.
The results were encouraging: participants taking Mounjaro showed statistically significant improvements in mental health and psychosocial function compared to those taking a placebo.
These improvements were measured across various aspects of emotional and mental well-being.
Particularly notable were the improvements in psychosocial function, with participants experiencing significant positive changes in their quality of life scores.
This suggests that weight loss achieved through Mounjaro might help break the cycle between obesity and depression by:
- Reducing systemic inflammation that can contribute to both depression and chronic pain
- Improving emotional well-being and social functioning
- Enhancing overall quality of life and mental health
- Supporting better physical mobility and daily activities
If you’re considering taking Mounjaro while on amitriptyline, we recommend:
- Having regular check-ups with your healthcare team
- Monitoring your heart rate and blood pressure
- Keeping track of any changes in your symptoms
- Reporting any side effects you experience
- Eating a diet based on whole foods and lower in ultra-processed foods
Take home message
While you can take Mounjaro alongside amitriptyline, your healthcare team must carefully monitor this combination.
The potential benefits of improved weight management might complement your current treatment plan.
Success with both medications depends on regular medical supervision and a comprehensive approach to your health, including lifestyle modifications and ongoing support.
To ensure safe and effective treatment, you must inform your healthcare team about all medications you’re taking.
Never stop taking either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider, as sudden discontinuation can lead to adverse effects.
Second Nature’s medication programmes
Second Nature has two medication-supported programmes: a Wegovy weight-loss programme and a Mounjaro weight-loss programme.
Why should you choose Second Nature over other medication providers if you’ve decided to try Mounjaro or Wegovy (assuming you’re eligible)?
For peace of mind.
Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.
While our Wegovy and Mounjaro weight-loss programmes are private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programmes focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.
We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.
