US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has introduced Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in India, following approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). This injectable drug is used for managing Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a prescription-based injectable medication designed to help with weight loss and blood sugar regulation in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. It works by targeting two gut hormones—glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)—making it more effective than conventional treatments. The drug is administered once a week.
Availability and Pricing in India
Mounjaro is available at select pharmacies and hospitals in India on a prescription-only basis.
As per a Business Standard report, the drug is priced at ₹3,500 for a 2.5 mg vial and ₹4,375 for a 5 mg vial, making a month’s treatment cost between ₹14,000 and ₹17,500, depending on the dosage. This is significantly lower than in the US, where the monthly cost is around $1,000-1,200 (₹86,000-1 lakh).
Other weight-loss drug options in India include Rybelsus, an oral tablet from Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk, which was introduced in 2022 and currently dominates 65% of India’s anti-obesity drug market. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy is expected to launch in 2026, pending regulatory approval, whereas Ozempic (injectable form) is unlikely to be introduced in India soon.
How Does Mounjaro Work?
Mounjaro mimics two key gut hormones—GIP and GLP-1—to help control appetite, blood sugar levels, and insulin secretion. Unlike other weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which act only on GLP-1, Mounjaro targets both GIP and GLP-1, making it more effective for weight loss.
Clinical trials indicate that patients taking Mounjaro along with diet and exercise experienced an average weight loss of 21.8 kg at the highest dose (15 mg) and 15.4 kg at the lowest dose (5 mg) over 72 weeks.
Who Can Use Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is typically prescribed to:
- Obese adults (BMI of 30 or higher)
- Overweight individuals (BMI of 27 or more) with weight-related health conditions
- People with Type 2 diabetes needing improved blood sugar control
However, it is not recommended for:
- Individuals with a history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- People with severe gastrointestinal disorders
Potential Side Effects and Risks
Like any medication, Mounjaro may cause mild to moderate side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite.
However, serious risks include:
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Kidney problems
- Vision changes
- Thyroid tumors
Patients should consult a healthcare provider before using Mounjaro to assess risks versus benefits.
Obesity in India: A Growing Concern
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21):
- 24% of women and 23% of men in India are overweight or obese.
- Among 15-49-year-olds, 6.4% of women and 4.0% of men are obese.
- The percentage of overweight children under 5 years has increased from 2.1% (NFHS-4, 2015-16) to 3.4% (NFHS-5, 2019-21) at the national level.
With obesity on the rise, the introduction of Mounjaro offers a new option for weight management and diabetes control in India.