A 93kg reporter’s Maunjaro experience (Weeks 9 to 11)
Fear of hair loss
Be wary of other side effects such as pancreatitis and depression.
A weight loss journey, even with medical assistance, isn’t always smooth sailing. A reporter in Korea experienced firsthand the unexpected side effects of Maunjaro, a new dual agonist medication, including a concerning bout of hair loss. This experience highlights the complex trade-offs involved in using these treatments, even as they offer a promising path for managing obesity and related metabolic diseases.
In the ninth week of taking Maunjaro, the reporter first noticed hair falling out after showering. While experiencing common side effects like nausea or constipation felt manageable, the prospect of hair loss was particularly unsettling. “From the moment the change in appearance was felt, not only the effect of the drug but also the ‘cost’ followed,” the reporter noted.
Hair that falls out while drying your hair after showering. When losing weight quickly, the body recalculates where to allocate energy and protein first, and in this process, ‘areas not directly related to survival’, such as hair, may be pushed back.
Rapid weight loss forces the body to prioritize where energy and protein are allocated. Areas deemed less critical for survival, like hair growth, can be deprioritized in this process. Park Gyeong-min, director of Seongsu Melting Clinic, explained that insufficient protein intake during rapid weight loss can exacerbate hair loss and muscle loss. “This does not mean that ‘the medicine caused my hair to fall out’, but it means that the reduced nutritional intake and changes in lifestyle caused by the medicine can change the priorities of metabolism in the body.”
The effectiveness of medications like Maunjaro in curbing appetite and promoting weight loss comes with potential side effects. While individual experiences vary, awareness of these side effects is crucial for responsible use. Digestive discomfort, such as nausea and diarrhea, are common, but Maunjaro appears to have a lower incidence of heartburn and nausea compared to other similar medications, due to the effect of GIP (gastric inhibitory peptide) in reducing nausea.
From a medical perspective, pancreatitis is a more serious, though rare, side effect. Director Park explained that while infrequent, it can be difficult to detect early. Rapid weight loss can also lead to gallstones, which, if they block the pancreatic duct, can trigger pancreatitis. Clinical data suggests a very low incidence of acute pancreatitis in patients using Maunjaro—approximately 0.23 cases per 100 patient-years, compared to 0.11 cases in a comparison group. Immediate discontinuation of the medication is advised if symptoms arise.
The potential for depression is another concern. Director Park emphasized that while no one dies from dieting, some individuals experience depression as a result. Sudden dietary changes can disrupt mental well-being, particularly for those who rely on food for emotional comfort. “People who only relieve stress through eating should find another hobby in advance.”
As the planned 12-week course of Maunjaro neared completion, significant changes in body composition were observed. The reporter’s weight decreased by 5.8kg, from 93.1kg on September 7 to 87.3kg on November 23. Body fat decreased by 3.7kg, from 33.8kg to 30.1kg, and body fat percentage dropped from 36.3% to 34.0%. However, skeletal muscle mass decreased by 1.3 kg, from 33.6 kg to 32.3 kg.
Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon
