Jump to: Why would Mounjaro and atorvastatin be prescribed together? | How does Mounjaro help people with high cholesterol? | Are there any risks associated with taking Mounjaro and atorvastatin together? | Take home message
You can take Mounjaro while on statins, such as atorvastatin, as there are no known interactions between the drugs. However, this isn’t to say that no interactions exist, so caution is advised.
In the UK, you can only take Mounjaro with statins if you have high LDL cholesterol levels and your BMI isn’t in the healthy range.
If you have high LDL cholesterol levels but are in the healthy BMI range, you won’t be prescribed Mounjaro, as it may induce unnecessary weight loss.
Atorvastatin is the most prescribed statin in the UK. In 2020-21, nearly 50 million prescriptions were written for the drug.
So, if you’re on statins and are considering taking Mounjaro in the UK, it’s most likely that you’re taking atorvastatin.
Why would Mounjaro and atorvastatin be prescribed together?
Theoretically, taking Mounjaro with statins could have beneficial synergistic effects, as they both lower plasma cholesterol and LDL levels, potentially reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
Statins reduce the volume of cholesterol produced in the liver, so less is released in the bloodstream in the lipoprotein called LDL (low-density lipoprotein).
Atorvastatin can reduce LDL-cholesterol levels by up to 50% at the highest available doses.
Research on Mounjaro has shown they also reduce blood cholesterol and LDL levels through different mechanisms.
Mounjaro has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels by nearly 6% at the highest dose of 15 mg. Mounjaro also reduces other risk factors for heart disease, such as blood pressure and blood fat levels (triglycerides).
While statins reduce cholesterol by lowering cholesterol production, Mounjaro most likely lowers cholesterol levels by reducing body fat (particularly liver fat) and improving insulin sensitivity.
The overall weight loss induced by Mounjaro also likely supports its cholesterol-lowering effects.
So, by lowering cholesterol through different mechanisms, taking Mounjaro with statins may result in a more significant reduction in cholesterol levels than taking the medications individually.
How does Mounjaro help people living with high cholesterol?
High cholesterol may indicate insulin resistance, high liver fat levels, and a dysregulated metabolism. Mounjaro has been shown to improve these areas.
Mounjaro mimics two hormones in the body, GLP-1 and GIP, which are involved in appetite regulation and insulin function.
These hormones communicate with the brain to lower hunger and food reward. They also have additional actions to help insulin and fat tissue function, all of which help improve insulin sensitivity and lower liver fat.
Not everyone living with high cholesterol needs to lose a significant amount of weight. Indeed, some people with high cholesterol may have a ‘normal’ BMI.
Still, research suggests that losing 5-10% of body weight can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and liver fat levels.
Mounjaro has three maintenance doses: 5, 10, and 15 mg. Some patients with high cholesterol may maintain a lower dose if weight loss isn’t a primary goal, or those with obesity and high cholesterol may move up to the highest maintenance dose.
This personalisation of treatment means that people living with high cholesterol can effectively lower their cholesterol while also maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if they need to.
Are there any risks associated with taking Mounjaro and atorvastatin together?
No known interactions exist between Mounjaro and atorvastatin, so the clinical risk is considered low.
However, everyone responds differently to the medication, and if you start taking Mounjaro alongside atorvastatin, it’s worth letting your doctor know so they can continue to monitor your progress.
Additionally, when applying for Second Nature’s Mounjaro weight-loss programme, the clinical team will assess your situation and consider all aspects of your care before approving your prescription.
Take home message
Weight-loss injections are most effective when combined with a healthier lifestyle. They can help kickstart weight loss while you commit to developing healthier habits.
Mounjaro and other weight loss injections, like Ozempic and Wegovy, can allow you to make lifestyle changes to support long-term weight loss.
These medications can help silence food-related thoughts and give you a boost of confidence with more immediate weight-loss results.
They can also buy you the time and headspace to understand why your body may have struggled to lose weight and build new long-term healthy habits.
The core focus of our medication programmes is to calm down the feeling of food noise, lower your cravings, and allow you to build healthier habits to keep the weight off for good.
The ultimate goal is to make losing weight feel second nature.
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.
