14.5% of adults in the U.S. struggle with falling asleep easily. Insomnia, a sleep disorder, is defined by difficulty falling and staying asleep (1). It may related to underlying mental and physical health conditions and can also have downstream effects on chronic disease and metabolism (2).

As Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) has gained popularity as an effective weight loss treatment, you may have encountered patient reports on social media or elsewhere about insomnia and sleep disturbances while taking medications like Mounjaro®. It's important to remember that experiencing insomnia while taking Mounjaro® doesn't necessarily indicate that the medication itself was the root cause. 

This article breaks down the connection between Mounjaro® and insomnia, shedding light on how this medication might affect sleep.

Is Insomnia a Side Effect of Mounjaro®?

Insomnia is not listed as one of the most common side effects of Mounjaro. The primary reported side effects include (3):

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Reduced appetite

• Vomiting

However, changes in weight and metabolism can affect sleep patterns, so some individuals might experience sleep disturbances indirectly related to the use of Mounjaro. It's important to consider that each person's reaction to the medication can be unique.

Understanding the Causes of Insomnia With Mounjaro

If you're taking Mounjaro® and experiencing insomnia, several factors could be contributing to it.

Depression: Obesity is closely linked to depression, and one of the hallmark signs of depression can be disturbances in sleep patterns, including insomnia, oversleeping, or disrupted sleep (5,6,7,8).

Dietary Factors: While a morning cup of coffee or a glass of wine with dinner might not negatively everyone, caffeine and alcohol have both been shown to interfere with sleep, especially when consumed in excess. Foods high in added sugar and saturated fat also may reduce sleep quality.

Sleep Hygiene: Activities like scrolling through your phone or watching TV before bed can disrupt your sleep patterns. Exposure to blue light from screens can reduce melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep.

Low Blood Sugar: While it's rare to experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) with Mounjaro® alone, combining it with other anti-diabetic medications like insulin or sulfonylureas could potentially lower blood sugar levels.

Mental Health: Stressful life events, anxiety, or undiagnosed mental health conditions could also contribute to sleep disturbances.

Regardless of what's causing your sleep issues, it is essential to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider, especially if they interfere with your daily life.

Managing Insomnia While Taking Mounjaro

If you find yourself struggling to sleep while on Mounjaro®, consider the following tips:

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

• Create a bedtime routine: Engage in relaxing activities before bed, such as reading or taking a warm bath.

• Optimize your diet and exercise: Avoid caffeine or heavy meals before bedtime and incorporate some form of physical activity daily.

• Consult your healthcare provider: They might adjust your dose or recommend other strategies to manage sleep disturbances.

Can Mounjaro® Help With Insomnia and Sleep Quality?

Findings from clinical trials indicate that addressing obesity can alleviate weight-related sleep issues, although it’s uncertain whether Mounjaro® directly causes or treats sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), though different from insomnia, disrupts sleep by causing repeated drops in oxygen levels during the night. This leads to symptoms like daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and trouble concentrating. 

According to Eli Lilly’s SURMOUNT-OSA phase 3 clinical trials, higher doses of Mounjaro® (10mg and 15mg) reduced the frequency of these apneic events by as much as 30 events per hour (9).

Losing weight can also alleviate symptoms of depression, which often include sleep disturbances like insomnia (5,6,7,8). While more studies are needed to confirm if weight loss completely resolves depression and its associated symptoms, it's worth noting that insomnia is a common sign of depression. By addressing weight loss, Mounjaro® may indirectly alleviate insomnia.

Managing Your Sleep & Overall Health With Mounjaro

While Mounjaro® is not primarily associated with insomnia, indirect effects of weight loss or metabolic changes could potentially affect sleep. If you're experiencing difficulties sleeping while taking Mounjaro®, it's paramount to address these issues with your healthcare provider to find a suitable solution. Managing side effects is an important part of the process throughout your medication-assisted weight loss journey.

Connect with a Mochi Health provider for tailored guidance from an obesity medicine specialist. Our program at Mochi Health includes personalized weight care, access to GLP-1 medications, and expert support every step of the way. Check your eligibility and start your health transformation today. 

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This post was written by our team of health writers for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health. Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound® and their delivery device are registered trademarks. Mochi Health is a telehealth clinic that offers prescriptions for these products by medical necessity only as determined by a licensed health provider.

Sources

1. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db436.htm

2. Ramar K, Malhotra RK, Carden KA, et al. Sleep is essential to health: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(10):2115–2119.

3. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2206038 

4. Malhotra, A., Bednarik, J., Chakladar, S., Dunn, J. P., Weaver, T., Grunstein, R., Fietze, I., Redline, S., Azarbarzin, A., Sands, S. A., Schwab, R. J., & Bunck, M. C. (2024). Tirzepatide for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: Rationale, design, and sample baseline characteristics of the SURMOUNT -OSA phase 3 trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 141, 107516–107516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2024.107516

5. Martens, K., Hamann, A., Miller-Matero, L. R., Miller, C., Bonham, A. J., Ghaferi, A. A., & Carlin, A. M. (2021). Relationship between depression, weight, and patient satisfaction 2 years after bariatric surgery. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 17(2), 366–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2020.09.024

6. Patsalos, O., Keeler, J., Schmidt, U., Penninx, B. W. J. H., Young, A. H., & Himmerich, H. (2021). Diet, Obesity, and Depression: A Systematic Review. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 11(3), 176-. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11030176

7. Fabricatore, A. N., Wadden, T. A., Higginbotham, A. J., Faulconbridge, L. F., Nguyen, A. M., Heymsfield, S. B., & Faith, M. S. (2011). Intentional weight loss and changes in symptoms of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY, 35(11), 1363–1376. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2011.2

8. Cooper, D. H., Ramachandra, R., Ceban, F., Di Vincenzo, J. D., Rhee, T. G., Mansur, R. B., Teopiz, K. M., Gill, H., Ho, R., Cao, B., Lui, L. M. W., Jawad, M. Y., Arsenault, J., Le, G. H., Ramachandra, D., Guo, Z., & McIntyre, R. S. (2023). Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists as a protective factor for incident depression in patients with diabetes mellitus: A systematic review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 164, 80–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.041

9. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/tirzepatide-reduced-sleep-apnea-severity-nearly-two-thirds