Jump to: What is salbutamol? | What is Mounjaro? | Why take Mounjaro and salbutamol together? | Take home message
You can take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) with salbutamol (albuterol), as the medications have no known interactions.
Mounjaro’s ability to support significant weight loss could support improvements in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and other respiratory conditions.
Research from Dutch general practices shows that about 65% of people with mild to moderate respiratory conditions are living with overweight or obesity.
The relationship between respiratory conditions and body weight is complex. Around 21.8% of people using salbutamol are living with obesity, with higher rates in mild to moderate cases.
Research shows that people living with obesity are prescribed respiratory medications like salbutamol more frequently than those at a lower weight.
While salbutamol effectively manages acute breathing symptoms, addressing underlying factors like weight through medications such as Mounjaro might improve respiratory health.
Studies indicate that even moderate weight loss of 5-10% can significantly improve lung function and reduce the frequency of respiratory symptoms.
What is salbutamol?
Salbutamol belongs to a group of medications called beta-2 agonists, which relax the smooth muscles in your airways to help you breathe more easily.
Beyond its primary role in treating respiratory conditions, recent studies have shown it may also promote loss of upper body fat mass, influence how the body partitions fat and muscle, and affect metabolism during exercise and recovery.
About 21.8% of people requiring salbutamol are living with obesity, with higher rates in mild to moderate cases compared to severe respiratory conditions.
Your doctor might prescribe salbutamol as:
- A rescue inhaler for sudden breathing difficulties
- A regular preventive treatment
- Part of a broader respiratory management plan
Recent research has shown that people living with obesity are prescribed salbutamol more frequently, particularly in mild cases.
This suggests that breathing difficulties might be more related to the mechanical effects of weight on breathing than the underlying respiratory condition itself.
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.
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:
- Communicating with the brain’s appetite control centre
- 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 and salbutamol together?
The relationship between respiratory conditions, body weight, and metabolism is complex and nuanced.
Recent research from Dutch general practices has shown that about 65% of people with mild to moderate respiratory conditions are living with overweight or obesity.
Excess body fat, particularly around the chest and abdomen, can affect breathing in several ways:
- Increasing the work required by respiratory muscles
- Reducing overall lung volume and breathing capacity
- Contributing to systemic inflammation that affects airways
- Leading to increased prescription of respiratory medications
Research shows that people living with obesity are prescribed respiratory medications like salbutamol more frequently than those at a lower weight, mainly in mild cases.
The increased prescription rates suggest that breathing difficulties in these cases might be more related to the mechanical effects of weight on breathing than the underlying respiratory condition itself.
While salbutamol effectively manages acute breathing symptoms, losing weight could support other improvements in lung function.
Studies indicate that even moderate weight loss of 5-10% can significantly improve lung function and reduce the frequency of respiratory symptoms.
The impact of weight on respiratory outcomes varies with disease severity. While weight loss might benefit patients with mild to moderate conditions, maintaining adequate weight and muscle mass becomes increasingly essential in severe cases.
However, both medications affect your metabolism and energy systems in different ways, requiring careful consideration:
- Timing: Use your salbutamol inhaler as prescribed, regardless of Mounjaro timing
- Exercise: Start gradually and monitor your breathing during physical activity
- Nutrition: Focus on eating a diet based on whole that’s rich in protein to maintain muscle mass, which is essential for respiratory function
- Sleep: Prioritise good sleep habits, as quality rest supports both weight loss and respiratory health
It’s essential to view this combination as part of a comprehensive approach to health. The research suggests that successfully managing weight could reduce reliance on respiratory medications over time, particularly in mild cases where weight might be a significant factor in breathing difficulties.
Take home message
While Mounjaro and salbutamol can be taken together safely, their combined effects on body composition and metabolism require careful consideration and monitoring.
Success with both medications depends on working closely with your healthcare team and maintaining a balanced approach to diet, exercise, and overall health management.
Treatment decisions should consider multiple factors, including muscle mass, exercise capacity, and existing health conditions – not just weight alone.
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.
