Reality television personality Gemma Collins has announced she is resuming her use of the weight loss medication Mounjaro, but with a significant change in strategy. The TOWIE star is now microdosing the jab after a temporary halt due to a frightening health episode she experienced last summer.
A Painful Interruption
Collins disclosed to the Daily Mail last month that she suffered what she described as a 'gallbladder attack' in August. The incident was so severe that she dropped to the floor in pain, leading to what she called 'agonising' health concerns. This prompted her to take a complete break from the Mounjaro injections while she and her doctors assessed the situation.
Despite the scare, the star has seen substantial results from the treatment. She has gone from a size 26 to a size 20 and has shed an impressive 3.5 stone since beginning the jabs. Speaking to The Mirror, Collins clarified the cause of her health issue, stating, 'I had to stop the jabs for a bit because I had a gallbladder attack in August, but they've assured me that it's not actually linked to Mounjaro.'
The New Microdosing Strategy
Having managed her diet during the break, Collins is now adopting a new method to continue her weight loss journey. She explained her decision to start microdosing Mounjaro, believing this approach will help her avoid the negative side effects. 'I think I'm going to start microdosing because I feel with the microdosing, you don't get all the [side] effects,' she shared.
Her initial treatment followed the standard guidance, where the dosage was increased incrementally from a starting point of 2.5mg up to the maximum 15mg per week. However, she has now confirmed that she will be sticking exclusively to the 2.5mg dosage, identifying it as her preferred amount for the microdosing regimen.
Life-Changing Results and Future Goals
Collins hails the drug as 'life changing' and is thrilled with her progress. 'I've lost about 3½st and kept it off. I just feel good,' she said. Emphasising a healthy body image, she added, 'I'm never going to look stick thin. I don't want to look stick thin. It's not who I am. But it's about being healthier. So it's all going in the right direction.'
Her ultimate goal is to lose a total of 6 stone from her original weight, but she insists she is not in a rush to achieve this dramatically.
Understanding the Risks
The connection between Mounjaro and gallbladder issues is not unfounded. According to Superdrug doctor Dr Babak Ashrafi, gallbladder problems such as gallstones are a known, though rare, side effect of GLP-1 inhibitors like Mounjaro. He explained that these drugs can reduce the hormone cholecystokinin, which is vital for healthy gallbladder function. This warning is also present in the official Mounjaro patient leaflet.
A spokeswoman for Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, told the publication that patient safety is their top priority and that they actively monitor and report safety information to the MHRA, the UK's regulatory agency.
Other Side Effects and Personal Concerns
Beyond the gallbladder scare, Collins has experienced other consequences of her significant weight loss. She recently expressed concern on Instagram that her slimmer figure made her 'look older', pointing out what she called 'next level' crow's feet.
In a candid post, the 42-year-old questioned the sudden change, wondering if it was linked to her weight loss, though she stopped short of attributing it to the so-called 'Ozempic face'. She remarked, 'I've always had a fuller face, as you know... I want to look natural still. But this just isn't right.' Despite these concerns, her commitment to a healthier lifestyle through managed eating and her new microdosing plan remains firm.
