As we have seen, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and its relatives Ozempic and Wegovy are not recommended for nursing mothers, or for women who are or might become pregnant, because of possible adverse effects on the developing fetus. So far, the substances are not recommended for existing children either, but that could change. Tirzepatide is being tested on children who can sign up for the program as young as 10. The official literature from Lilly says,
Tirzepatide’s safety and efficacy have not been established in patients under 18 years. SURPASS-PEDS is evaluating tirzepatide in patients 10 to below 18 years old with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin, basal insulin, or both.
The safety and efficacy of tirzepatide have not been established in pediatric patients and tirzepatide is not approved for use in patients younger than 18 years.
For some skeptics, it will take a lot of convincing before they believe that these meds can be safe for kids. But the fans have an answer for everything. Facial changes or hair loss? Not an issue, the believers say, because these are common effects of weight loss. People who undergo bariatric surgery or lose weight through behavioral change can also expect to lose hair and see their faces become gaunt and saggy.
Your diet is everything you eat
Another issue shared by adults and children is the difficulty of obtaining sufficient nutrition. One article quotes Dr. Raman Madan, who reminds patients to be sure they are ingesting enough of vital nutrients like iron and B vitamins.
“Often patients on weight loss drugs are eating less,” Madan said.
Well, of course they are, if the drug is working right. Reduced appetite and lowered food intake are the whole point of spending a thousand dollars or more each month for pharmaceutical products. The patients need to be on very strict diets.
A recent Childhood Obesity News post mentioned some of the side effects that could result from using tirzepatide, and some measures that might be taken to reduce harm. We quoted a very informative website that also published a list of foods and drinks that are best stayed away from by anyone taking a weekly shot of Mounjaro, due to the risk of adverse events, a.k.a. side effects.
The list includes bread, carbonated beverages, raw vegetables, cooked fibrous vegetables, tough meats or meats with gristle, red meat, fried foods, heavily seasoned foods, nuts, seeds, and popcorn.
What foods contain iron? Wholemeal breads, nuts, and dark green leafy vegetables, which tend to be eaten raw. What foods contain B vitamins? Again, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and meat. In other words, to fulfill Dr. Madan’s recommendation to seek out these nutrients might be difficult.
Here is the point that seems to escape a lot of people. The avoidance of side effects might depend on a person’s shunning of entire categories of food while using tirzepatide — which, in effect, means for the rest of their life.
Your responses and feedback are welcome!
Source: “Can Mounjaro™ (tirzepatide) be used in children?,” LillyMedical.com, undated
Source: “Ozempic Causing Hair Loss? Why Some People Are Shedding More Than Pounds,” Healthline.com, 05/04/23
Source: “CNMRI: Neurology, Sleep Medicine, MRI,” CNMRI.com, undated
Image by Victoria Reay/CC BY 2.0
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