Jump to: What is IBS? | What is Mounjaro? | Why take Mounjaro if you have IBS? | Take home message
You can take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and your BMI is over 27.
However, GLP-1 weight-loss injections like Mounjaro can affect gut motility and digestion, which might impact IBS symptoms. No studies have directly investigated how Mounjaro affects people with IBS.
These changes in digestion affect different people with IBS in different ways. Some might experience an improvement in symptoms, while others could notice their symptoms worsen.
Research shows that GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, constipation, or diarrhoea. These effects overlap with or exacerbate IBS symptoms.
These side effects are generally transient and will ease after the body adapts to the medication.
These potential interactions amplify the importance of eating a diet based on whole foods and developing healthy habits that can help reduce IBS-like symptoms.
For example, promising research shows that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) significantly reduces IBS-like symptoms independent of dietary changes.
This research on CBT and IBS illustrates that our gut health is more complex than simply what we eat and how much we weigh, but also how we think.
Second Nature’s Mounjaro weight-loss programme was created by dietitians, nutritionists, and psychologists to combine the benefits of a healthy diet and improved mental health.
Our members also have access to a registered dietitian or nutritionist trained in behaviour change to support them in developing healthier habits while using the medication to kickstart weight loss.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition affecting the digestive system. It causes symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation.
The exact cause of IBS isn’t fully understood, but it appears to involve changes in gut motility, sensitivity, and the gut-brain connection.
Research suggests there’s a complex relationship between obesity and IBS. People with obesity may be more likely to experience IBS symptoms, possibly due to poor dietary habits and chronic inflammation.
IBS can affect people differently. Some experience diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), others have constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), and some alternate between both (IBS-M).
The condition is typically managed through diet modifications, stress management, and sometimes medications. Many people find that certain foods or emotions can trigger their symptoms.
IBS-like symptoms
All of these conditions relating to the health of our GI tract can display IBS-like symptoms, so if you’re concerned about your gut health, it’s worth booking an appointment with your doctor and healthcare team to see if you can get a clearer picture of what you’re dealing with.
Additionally, individuals may experience IBS-like symptoms without any underlying GI condition.
We know that ultra-processed food consumption, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, mental health, and a lack of physical activity and exercise can all impact the health of the GI tract and lead to IBS-like symptoms such as bloating, cramping, and pain.
Individuals like Becky have found their IBS-like symptoms all but disappear on the Second Nature programme after making changes to their diet and lifestyle.
Moving to a whole-food diet, improving your relationship with stress, and exercising more could relieve many of the symptoms you experience.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a dual-action weight-loss injection. It supports weight loss by mimicking two hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, that communicate with the brain’s appetite control centre, the hypothalamus, to lower hunger and food-seeking behaviour.
The drug in Mounjaro is tirzepatide.
By lowering hunger and our desire to eat, Mounjaro helps us eat fewer calories to achieve a calorie deficit.
A calorie deficit occurs when we consume fewer calories than our body needs to fuel its essential functions, such as digestion, blood flow, and brain function.
By creating a calorie deficit, our bodies will ‘burn’ the excess fat stored for energy, and we’ll lose weight.
Mounjaro also slows down the rate at which we digest food so that our stomach and gut send signals to the brain to signal the feeling of fullness.
So, Mounjaro supports weight loss by making us feel less hungry through two mechanisms:
1. Communicating with the brain’s appetite control centre
2. Slowing the rate that food is digested
Randomised controlled trials have shown that Mounjaro leads to an average weight loss of around 26% after one year.
Why take Mounjaro if you have IBS?
Many people living with IBS or IBS-like symptoms could likely alleviate many or all of their symptoms if they change their habits and eat a diet based on whole foods.
Additionally, excess body fat can contribute to the development of IBS-like symptoms through the secretion of pro-inflammatory compounds.
Losing weight and developing healthy habits while on Mounjaro could support the reduction of IBS-like symptoms.
One study in females living with obesity showed that moderate weight loss reduced IBS symptoms (reported using the IBS-Symptom Scoring System) by 27%.
Another study that randomised participants to the Mediterranean diet showed similar improvements in IBS symptoms, independent of weight loss, suggesting a healthier dietary pattern can support IBS without weight loss.
Alongside the impact of weight loss and an improved diet, Mounjaro may also directly influence the function of the gut-brain axis.
Mounjaro works by ‘activating’ GLP-1 receptors in the brain, gut, and central nervous system to lower the feeling of hunger. GLP-1 receptors are a crucial part of the gut-brain axis, impacting gut function.
This connection means Mounjaro could theoretically influence IBS symptoms through multiple mechanisms.
Developing other healthier habits, like building a positive relationship with stress, exercising more, and sleeping well may also support improvements in IBS.
If you take Mounjaro with IBS, it’s recommended that you:
• Monitor your symptoms carefully
• Keep your healthcare team informed of any changes
• Continue any prescribed IBS medications
• Maintain your usual IBS management strategies
Take home message
Weight-loss injections like Mounjaro may be suitable for people with IBS who have a BMI over 27, but monitoring of ongoing symptoms is essential.
Success may depend on working closely with your healthcare team to manage both conditions. Regular monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans might be necessary.
Consider keeping a symptom diary when starting Mounjaro to help track any changes in your IBS symptoms.
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.
