American multinational pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has launched its famous weight loss drug Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in India. By this, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro has become the first major weight-loss and diabetes drug of its kind to enter the country. Mounjaro's launch in India has come at a time when the country is witnessing a massive rise in cases of obesity and diabetes. For those who are unaware, Eli Lilly's Munjaro is a once-weekly injection that has already been approved by India’s drug regulator.
How does Munjaro work?
American medicine Munjaro works by activating two key hormones- GIP and GLP-1, that help regulate blood sugar levels and control appetite. It is prescribed for individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or higher and is meant to be used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. In layman's language, by mimicking the aforementioned hormones, Mounjaro signals to the brain that you are full, leading to reduced appetite and a feeling of satiety.
Mounjaro Price in India
Keeping Indian market in mind, the American company has kept Mounjaro's price low as compared to its price in the US. Below is its price point in India-
- Rs 4,375 ($50.67) for a 5 mg vial
- Rs 500 ($40.54) for a 2.5 mg vial
A patient in India could spend around Rs16,000 ($200) per month if prescribed a 5 mg dose. For comparison, Mounjaro’s list price in the U.S. is $1,086.37 per month, though actual costs vary based on insurance plans.
In one of the global studies, Mounjaro showed significant benefits. In a study of 2,539 adults with obesity, or excess weight and weight-related medical problems not including diabetes, people taking Mounjaro along with diet and exercise experienced substantial weight loss compared with placebo (dummy treatment) at 72 weeks.
To be precise, the drug promises significant results with a projected weight loss of 10 kgs in just 16 weeks.
Mounjaro Side effects
As per reports, American weight loss medicine has shown a potential to reduce addictive behaviors like smoking and alcohol use and may lower the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s. However, side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rare risk of thyroid cancer. “What we don’t know is more than what we know about these drugs,” Billionaire Nikhil Kamath cautioned as quoted by a news portal.
In the US, major retailers like Walmart report reduced food purchases by GLP-1 drug users. A 2024 PwC survey found that 33% of heavy drinkers on these drugs cut alcohol intake, hinting at disruptions in the food, beverage, and insurance sectors. Eli Lilly’s early entry gives it an advantage over Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, which is approved but not yet available in India.