"Weight Dropped Rapidly... Anyone Can Get It Easily": Why a Woman in Her 20s Quit Mountzaro After Losing 6kg in a Month

Concerns Growing over Use for Cosmetic Purposes in Japan

Expert Warns, "Misuse Should Be Avoided"

In Japan, the number of cases where the obesity medication Mounjaro is being used for cosmetic or weight loss purposes is increasing, raising concerns about side effects and misuse.

Not related to specific content of the article.

"Anyone Can Get It If They Want"... Experience of a Woman in Her 20s

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on September 15, the Kumamoto Prefecture Consumer Affairs Center recently received two consultations related to Mounjaro, highlighting the issue of using the medication for cosmetic or weight loss purposes. Both consultations were from women in their twenties who purchased the product via online consultations or aesthetic clinics, and then sought advice due to issues with canceling their regular purchases.

Ms. A, a woman in her twenties living in Kumamoto City, explained in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun in July that "anyone can get it if they want," as she described the process of purchasing Mounjaro.

After seeing an acquaintance lose weight using Mounjaro, Ms. A searched for related information on the internet. She then found a hospital selling Mounjaro, and around mid-May, sent her name and address via the LINE messenger app. After a brief phone consultation, she purchased a one-month supply for about 17,000 yen (approximately 150,000 won).

After using the medication, her appetite decreased significantly. She felt that eating just one meal a day was enough and there were days when she did not eat at all. However, on the day after use, she felt lethargic and people around her began to comment that she looked unwell. She lost about 6 kilograms in just one month.

Feeling anxious about losing weight too rapidly, Ms. A eventually stopped using the drug. She said, "I have no intention of using it again in the future."

Image extracted by AI showing a person facing the mount.

Increasing Cases of Mounjaro Prescriptions for Cosmetic Purposes

Mounjaro is a pharmaceutical drug approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Recently, however, its use for cosmetic and weight loss purposes is on the rise.

Nevertheless, using Mounjaro for purposes other than its original indication can result in adverse health effects. Even when used appropriately, it may cause serious side effects such as hypoglycemia or acute pancreatitis. Ken Doi, a doctor at Doi Internal Medicine Clinic in Minami Ward, Kumamoto City, told the Yomiuri Shimbun, "Using it for purposes other than originally intended can lead to health problems."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.