Managing Mounjaro During Ramadan

If you’re getting ready to celebrate Ramadan (or any religious or non-religious fast) and use GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro, our team at MedExpress is here to help. In this blog we’ll unpack how fasting impacts your body as well as practical strategies for getting enough nutrients and maintaining your energy levels. 

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a medication that helps to promote weight loss by mimicking the naturally occurring GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are released by your gut after eating to stabilise blood sugar, reduce appetite and curb cravings. It is also known by the name of its active ingredient tirzepatide, and is a once-weekly injection administered using a pre-filled pen. [1]

What is Fasting?

Fasting is the practice of not consuming food and drink, or abstaining from certain activities for a set period, it’s often done for health, religious, or personal reasons. Ramadan is a month observed by the Muslim community around the world where they fast from dawn to sunset. 

Fasting impacts your body in several different ways. Firstly, it lowers insulin levels which can cause energy levels to fluctuate throughout the day and it also induces ketosis, a process where the body shifts from glucose to fat as its primary energy source. While these changes can help with weight loss and blood sugar control, they may also lead to dehydration and potential muscle loss if you’re not diligent about your nutrition and protein intake. [2,3]

Should You Adjust Diet While Fasting?

While you don’t need to make any drastic changes to your diet while fasting, there are a few things that our experts here at MedExpress recommend doing to help you stay fuller for longer. This includes making sure you’re getting enough nutrients and that you’re prioritising hydration because patients taking weight loss medications are more susceptible to fatigue, headaches and digestive discomfort.

How to Plan Your Meals

During Ramadan, the two meals you eat are called Suhoor and Iftar. Suhoor is the meal eaten before dawn during Ramadan and is the meal essential for providing enough energy for the rest of the day while Iftar refers to the meal that breaks the fast each day during Ramadan and is eaten after sunset.

We recommend that you don’t skip either of these meals as this can result in low energy throughout the day. On the other hand, it’s also important to not overindulge as healthy foods and consistent portion sizes help to prevent side effects from flaring up. 

Below we’ve included a few tips from our experts about picking the most nutritious options at meal times.

High-protein foods: Eggs, yogurt, lean meats help regulate your blood sugar to prevent crashes and for sustained energy.

Complex carbohydrates: Foods like oats, potatoes and rice take longer to break down than simple carbs like biscuits and cereals meaning they slowly release energy throughout the day.

Healthy fats: Avocado, nuts and olive oil increase feelings of fullness as they can help slow down the rate of digestion.

Hydrating foods: Fruits and vegetables that have a high in water content like watermelon, lettuce, cucumber and oranges can contribute to better hydration. 

Light foods: Avoid food with excessive sugar and heavy fried foods as they can irritate your stomach.

How to Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is especially important when taking GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro as it can help manage side effects like headaches, digestive discomfort and fatigue. However, the limited drinking hours during Ramadan can make it difficult to get enough water. Here’s what our experts recommend. 

• Aim for at least 8 cups of water between Iftar and Suhoor. Remember, you don’t have to drink 8 cups as soon as you break your fast, you can keep sipping throughout your meals. [4]
• Avoid drinks that dehydrate you including coffee, tea with caffeine and sugary options like soft drinks.
• Incorporate water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables like cabbage and strawberries.
• Drink electrolytes to help maintain hydration levels and get essential minerals and vitamins.

How to Integrate Mounjaro with Fasting and Ramadan

When it comes to practical ways to integrate your weight loss medication with fasting, there are a few key things you can do.

Consult with your healthcare provider before and during Ramadan so they can help make any necessary adjustments to your Mounjaro dose or timing. Additionally, the Qur’an states that illness is a valid exemption from fasting during Ramadan. Since obesity is classified as a chronic medical condition, there is flexibility if fasting could negatively affect your health. If you’re unsure, it may be helpful to consult your Imam or GP to explore your options.

Stay consistent with your injection routine so the timing of your GLP-1 medication injection remains the same during Ramadan. Take your injection on the same day each week at roughly the same time, with or without a meal. 

However, some patients may prefer to take their medication with Iftar, as it is the main meal of the day. If you have experienced minimal side effects when taking your medication on an empty stomach, you might consider taking it with Suhoor, when your stomach is mostly empty. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to consult with your doctor.

Monitoring Your Blood Sugar

During fasting, blood sugar levels can fluctuate causing dizziness and fatigue. It’s essential that you monitor your levels and symptoms to prevent these risks and ensure a safe fasting experience.

Monitor for symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as combining fasting with GLP-1 medications can disrupt blood sugar levels. Signs of low blood sugar include shaking, sweating, dizziness, confusion, or feeling faint. Keep a source of fast-acting glucose, such as dates or fruit juice, available in case you experience low blood sugar.

Monitor for symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) by looking out for excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision. If you notice these symptoms after a meal, consider adjusting your diet or medication. However, any changes should be made under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Exercise During Ramadan

Exercising while fasting can easily result in overexhaustion, so the most important thing is to listen to your body and avoid intensive exercise. If you feel that you have the energy to exercise during Ramadan our experts recommend after Iftar or before Suhoor so that you can ensure that you are properly nourished and hydrated before and after your workout. Finally, we recommend doing light to moderate workouts like walking and yoga as well as strength training, which can help preserve muscle mass during fasting.

Interested in Weight Loss Medication?

At MedExpress we offer a variety of GLP-1 medications as well as unlimited clinical support so that you can get the best results. Find out more about what we offer here.

References:

[1] Farzam K, Patel P. Tirzepatide [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056

[2] Attinà A, Leggeri C, Paroni R, Pivari F, Dei Cas M, Mingione A, et al. Fasting: How to Guide. Nutrients [Internet]. 2021 May 7;13(5):1570. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8151159/ 

[3] Cleveland Clinic. Ketosis: Definition, benefits & side effects [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24003-ketosis

[4] NHS. Water, Drinks and your Health [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2023. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/water-drinks-nutrition/