Elon Musk has revealed he has switched to a more powerful weight-loss drug, sharing the news alongside a photo of himself dressed as Father Christmas.
The SpaceX billionaire, 53, posted a picture of himself slimmed down in a red-and-white fur-lined suit with the caption: "Ozempic Santa".
He then clarified: "Technically, Mounjaro, but that doesn't have the same ring to it."
The tech mogul had previously been taking Ozempic, a Type 2 diabetes medication that has become increasingly popular among Americans for weight loss.
Musk announced he has been taking Mounjaro
Getty
The change comes after Musk experienced uncomfortable side effects from Ozempic, prompting him to seek an alternative solution.
GLP-1 inhibitors work by mimicking a natural hormone that creates a feeling of fullness in users.
Musk revealed that taking "high doses" of Ozempic had caused him significant discomfort, making him "fart and burp like Barney from The Simpsons".
"Mounjaro seems to have fewer side effects and be more effective," the billionaire stated.
The drugs are becoming increasingly sought-after for weight loss, despite not being widely available for that purpose through federal insurance schemes.
ELON MUSK LATEST:
Ozempic Santa pic.twitter.com/7YECSNpWoz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 26, 2024
There have been calls to tighten control over the accessibility of weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro over the internet
GETTYA recent poll showed that 12 per cent of Americans have used GLP-1 inhibitor drugs at some point, with half that number currently taking them.
Mounjaro has earned the nickname "King Kong" of weight-loss drugs, with experts suggesting it is more effective than its competitors with fewer side effects.
The drug received FDA approval for weight loss in November 2023 under the brand name Zepbound.
British patients will soon have access to the medication, as it is set to be rolled out on a limited basis on the NHS from April.
Research indicates the broader availability of such drugs could have significant health impacts, potentially saving 42,000 lives annually in the United States.
This includes an estimated 11,000 people with Type 2 diabetes who could benefit from increased access to these medications.
The drugs have gained particular attention in Hollywood circles, being dubbed the industry's "worst-kept secret".
The change comes after Musk experienced uncomfortable side effects from Ozempic, prompting him to seek an alternative solution
PAMusk has advocated for wider access to these medications, stating that "nothing would do more to improve the health, lifespan and quality of life for Americans than making GLP inhibitors super low cost to the public".
The issue has become politically charged in the United States, with Republicans divided over expanding access through federal healthcare programmes.
Robert F Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has expressed caution, saying that while the drugs "have a place", lifestyle changes should be the primary approach.
Dr Mehmet Oz, Trump's appointee to run Medicare and Medicaid Services, has emerged as one of the strongest supporters of weight-loss medication.
Trump himself sparked speculation about using such drugs after losing 9kg during his presidential campaign, though he attributed this to his busy schedule.
