Mounjaro Enters India: The Weight Loss & Diabetes Drug May Have These Side Effects; Know Price

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro has launched in India. Approved by CDSCO, it promises significant weight loss and blood sugar control. However, concerns remain over certain side effects.

Mounjaro is expected to be available soon through prescription under medical supervision.

Eli Lilly and Company (India) has launched Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a once-a-week injectable prescription medication, following approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). The drug is available in a single-dose vial and is indicated for adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with weight-related conditions, as well as for type 2 diabetes management.

Mounjaro works by activating both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors, which regulate appetite, glucose metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. Clinical trials have demonstrated significant weight loss, with patients losing up to 21.8 kg at the highest dose (15 mg) over 72 weeks. In diabetes patients, it has been shown to reduce HbA1C levels by up to 2.4%.

“Obesity and diabetes are major health challenges in India. Mounjaro represents an important step in metabolic health management,” said Dr. Manish Mistry, Senior Medical Director, Eli Lilly India.

According to a Reuters report, Mounjaro is priced at Rs 4,375 ($50.67) for a 5 mg vial and Rs 3,500 ($40.54) for a 2.5 mg vial, which is the lowest available dose.  

"...pricing seems high (for the Indian market). At the highest dose, a patient will have to spend close to 700,000 rupees (around $8,100) per annum," Vishal Manchanda, analyst at Systematix Institutional Equities, told the news agency.

How Safe Is Mounjaro?

Beyond the excitement, questions remain about its safety, long-term effects, and accessibility. With similar drugs sparking debate over side-effects and real-world efficacy, is Mounjaro truly a breakthrough, or just another pharmaceutical trend?

While Mounjaro has shown promising results, experts warn that it is not without risks. Like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, it may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. Some patients have reported gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, and potential thyroid tumours in rare cases. The drug also carries a risk of low blood sugar when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.

GIP and GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking incretin hormones that influence insulin secretion and appetite regulation. While they help with weight loss and glycaemic control, their long-term impact on cardiovascular health, pancreatic function, and metabolism remains under investigation.

Mounjaro is expected to be available soon through prescription under medical supervision.

What do reports in the West say?

Over the past year, several health concerns have emerged regarding GLP-1 receptor agonists, including drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. 

Potential Link to Rare Eye Disease

According to a report in Reuters, Danish health authorities in December 2024 requested a review of studies that claimed a link of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic to an increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare eye condition that can lead to sudden vision loss. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a condition causing sudden, painless vision loss in one eye due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve head (optic disc), often in people over 50. The visual prognosis of NAION is variable, with some patients experiencing partial recovery of vision, while others experience more significant vision loss. 

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours

In July 2023, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) initiated an investigation into reports of suicidal behaviours said to have been associated with GLP-1 drugs, including those from Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi. 

Another report said that by September 2023, the US FDA had received 265 reports of suicidal ideation linked to these medications, with 36 cases resulting in death. 

Variable Weight Loss Outcomes

Despite clinical trials showing significant weight loss, real-world results have been mixed. Approximately 10-15% of users, sometimes up to 20%, experienced minimal weight loss, highlighting individual variability in drug response, an Associated Press report claimed. 

Increased Healthcare Utilization

Reuters reported that the use of GLP-1 drugs has led to increased healthcare engagement, with more diagnoses of conditions like sleep apnoea and cardiovascular diseases. While early detection is beneficial, the long-term impact on healthcare costs remains uncertain. 

Why These Reports Matter for Mounjaro’s Safety

According to a recent Lancet report, obesity rates in India have surged dramatically in the past three decades, and the country is projected to have 218 million overweight or obese men and 232 million women by 2050. The Indian Council of Medical Research's INDIAB study, published in 2023, reports that approximately 101 million (10.1 crore) adults in India are living with diabetes. 

While it is true that India is staring at a ballooning crisis of obesity and diabetes, any major drug induction into the system needs to be scrutinised closely, experts feel. 

More Weight Loss Drugs In The Pipeline 

Novo’s India team has been urging its global leadership to launch Wegovy in the country as early as 2025, ahead of the company's current target of 2026.  

The drugmaker told Reuters that Wegovy has already received approval in India but did not disclose a launch timeline. 

The patent for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, is held by Novo Nordisk, but it is likely to expire in India in 2026, paving the way for some Indian drugmakers to develop their own generic versions of it, which may eventually lead to more affordable options.

Beyond Novo, Indian pharmaceutical giants such as Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr. Reddy’s, and Lupin are also said to be in the race to develop generic versions of these weight-loss drugs.

The writer is a senior independent journalist.