‘King Kong’ of fat jabs tirzepatide gets green light for use on NHS after fuelling ‘significant weight loss’
A FAT-busting jab hailed as the “King Kong” of weight-loss drugs has been given the green light in Britain.
Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, was authorised for weight management by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The regulator approved it for adults with a BMI of over 30, meaning they are classed as obese.
It can also be given to people with a BMI of 27 to 30, meaning they are overweight, if they also have another weight-related condition like high blood pressure or prediabetes.
Julian Beach, of the MHRA, said: “We have prioritised rapid assessment of this new indication for Mounjaro, given the public health importance of access to new medicines to help tackle obesity.
“We have drawn on advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines in coming to our decision, and as with all products, will keep the safety of Mounjaro under close review.”
The drug is the third weight-loss jab to be approved in Britain, after Wegovy and Saxenda.
Previous studies show it helps patients lose 5kg more than semaglutide — the active ingredient in Wegovy.
Current shortages of Wegovy also mean patients have struggled to access it on the health service.
Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said there are still steps needed before Mounjaro is brought on to the NHS for weight loss.
But he said: “Mounjaro has the potential to help thousands of people living with obesity and support those suffering from weight-related illnesses — if used alongside diet and physical activity.
“Tackling obesity could help cut waiting lists and save the NHS billions of pounds.”
Mounjaro was originally developed to treat diabetes and was approved for use in diabetic NHS patients earlier this month.
Studies show it helped patients lose 24 per cent of their body weight on average during an 84-week trial.
Side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.
Eighty per cent of people participating in the most recent study reported experiencing at least one of those while taking tirzepatide.
But experts say it causes fewer, less frequent and less intense symptoms compared to semaglutide.