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All you need to know about Mounjaro: The next game-changing weight loss medication


Move aside Ozempic. Another medication called Mounjaro – also designed to treat diabetes – is the latest in a new wave of drugs being used for dramatic weight loss.

Tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro, is the latest drug to garner worldwide attention for its quick-fix results.

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But according to UAE doctors, the drug has not yet been approved by the FDA for weight loss therefore it should not be used for this purpose.

Dr. Mustafa Saif, a specialist in internal medicine at Aster Hospital Mankhool, Bur Dubai, told Al Arabiya English: “Mounjaro is a drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for type 2 diabetes patients. It helps in decreasing blood sugar levels in adults. The results are better when the patient follows a strict diet and exercise.”

He continued, “The drug seems to help overweight people in reducing their weight. It is one of the side effects of the drug. However, it is yet to be clinically proven. The drug is not approved by the US FDA for weight loss at all.”

The demand for Mounjaro follows worldwide reports of a surging number of people – including those in the UAE – heading to health clinics, pharmacies and hospitals trying to get their hands on diabetes injections such as Saxenda and Ozempic to use the medications for weight loss.

Interest peaked after videos on TikTok and advertisements on Instagram promoted the drugs as a miracle cure for stubborn fat. Celebrities getting a hold of the drug to drop a few dress sizes also played a role in the increased interest.

Otherwise known as semaglutide, Ozempic and other similar drugs, such as Wegovy, originated as a diabetes medication, and were FDA-approved to treat obesity in 2021, becoming so popular it caused shortages.

Semaglutide contains a compound that mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and helps the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. It also makes you feel full because it slows down stomach emptying and suppresses appetite.

The drug has helped people shed up to 15 percent of their body weight. However, in clinical trials, people complained of side-effects including constipation, nausea, vomiting, headaches and diarrhea.

In the UAE, Dr. Saif said the Mounjaro drug is only supplied to patients to treat diabetes.

“Even the choice of the drug depends on the patient’s profile. It is not that we give Mounjaro to everybody. Mounjaro helps obese patients struggling with diabetes. So, the weight loss factor comes in as a side effect of the drug. It is not an indication that the drug could be used for weight loss,” he told Al Arabiya English.

“The patient taking Mounjaro drug would feel fuller for a longer period of time and reduces the intake of food. This is the factor that let the drug help in weight loss. But as said, it is not an approved drug for weight loss.”

The doctor also warned against using the drug for weight loss because clinical trials are still under progress.

Dangers of the drug

Dr. Saif said some studies suggest that the Mounjaro drug can remotely cause thyroid C-cell tumors, or a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasis (MEN) syndrome, which causes tumors in the endocrine glands.

“So if any patients are taking Mounjaro drug for diabetes, they should immediately reach out to their doctor if they witness swelling in the neck, hoarseness, or shortness of breath,” he said. “Some of the identified side effects of the drug are nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation and so on. In some patients, it might cause hypoglycemia which is low blood sugar. In this case, people might experience dizziness or light-headedness and drowsiness.”

He advised patients to consult their doctors or “report to a hospital immediately” if they experience any of the above symptoms.

Globally, experts believe that the FDA will approve tirzepatide for weight loss.

Endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Scott Isaacs told Insider this week: “We do expect that it will be approved for the treatment for obesity,” although it's not clear how soon.

In the meantime, patients can still access the drug.

Since tirzepatide is already FDA-approved for use with diabetes, doctors are able to prescribe it to patients, even for a different purpose.

Tirzapetide works by acting on a hormone called GLP-1, which controls appetite, causing the patient to feel fuller. Tirzapetide uniquely also acts on another hormone related to insulin.

Some research has claimed that tirzepatide is more effective for weight loss than other medications, based on a clinical trial showing more pounds lost.

But Isaacs said evidence is inconclusive, since the study was designed to focus on diabetes, not weight loss.

Doctors have warned that the downside of weight loss medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide is that studies have shown patients have to continue taking the medication to maintain the weight loss.

Read more:

What are the different weight-loss drugs? Ozempic, Wegovy, and a ‘miracle cure’ plant

Doctor warns of ‘Ozempic face’ side effect of diabetes drug used for weight loss

Surge in UAE demand for Ozempic diabetes injections for weight loss: Doctors

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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