Can Mounjaro Cause Body Aches and Joint Pain?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is FDA approved for the treatment of adults with Type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro is the first in a new class of medications. It’s a dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. This means Mounjaro acts like the natural hormones GLP-1 and GIP in your body. GLP-1 and GIP are hormones that slow down digestion and improve how your body responds to insulin. This results in lower blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro can be a very effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes. But it does carry a risk of side effects — mostly in your gut. The most common side effects of Mounjaro are nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and constipation. But what about side effects outside of your gut? 

If you’ve had joint and muscle pain while taking Mounjaro, you may be wondering if Mounjaro can cause body aches. Here’s what we know so far about Mounjaro and its link to joint and muscle pain.

Can Mounjaro cause body aches or muscle pain?

Probably not. Some people report muscle pain when taking Mounjaro. But there’s no clear evidence linking Mounjaro to muscle pain or body aches. Like joint pain, there might be other reasons for this pain. Here are some possible causes of muscle pain while taking Mounjaro.

Injection site reactions 

Mounjaro is an injectable medication that’s taken weekly. All injectable medications can cause injection site reactions. Injection site reactions can cause redness, pain, and discomfort. In clinical studies, about 3% of people treated with Mounjaro reported injection site reactions. 

Experts recommend rotating your injection site each week rather than injecting in the same place every time. This helps reduce the risk of damage to the underlying tissue. But even with rotating injection sites, you can still develop pain and bruising. 

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Dehydration

People who take Mounjaro often have less of an urge to eat or drink. If you don’t keep up with your fluid intake, you can become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps and soreness. 

You can avoid body aches while taking Mounjaro by making sure you get enough to drink. Try carrying a reusable water bottle and setting a daily water goal to increase how much you drink during the day. 

Is joint pain a side effect of Mounjaro?

Probably not. In clinical trials of people taking Mounjaro, there weren’t any reports of joint pain. In fact, some researchers think that a GLP-1 receptor / GIP receptor agonists, like Mounjaro, might reduce inflammation that causes osteoarthritis. But more research is needed to find out if this theory is correct.

And there’s another way that Mounjaro can help relieve some symptoms of arthritis. Many people lose weight while taking Mounjaro. This may help relieve pressure on joints and reduce joint pain. So instead of causing joint pain, medications like Mounjaro may actually improve symptoms of osteoarthritis.

What can cause joint pain when you take Mounjaro?

If you have joint pain while taking Mounjaro, it might not be due to the medication. Here are some other reasons you might have joint pain while taking Mounjaro.

Autoimmune conditions

Autoimmune conditions develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. Some of these conditions affect the joints and can cause severe joint pain. Two common autoimmune conditions that affect the joints are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. If you’re experiencing new joint pain, swelling, or redness while taking Mounjaro, see a healthcare professional. It could be due to a new arthritis condition.

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Medications

While Mounjaro hasn’t been shown to cause joint pain, many other medications are known to cause this side effect. If you’re taking one of these medications, they may actually be the cause of your joint pain: 

• Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors: Sitagliptin (Januvia) and linagliptin (Tradjenta) are two examples of DPP4 inhibitors. They are oral medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes. DPP4 inhibitors have been shown to cause severe joint pain in some people. 

• Statins: Statins are an important class of cholesterol-lowering medications. But some people can develop joint or muscle pain while taking statins.

• Bisphosphonates: Used to treat osteoporosis, bisphosphonates can cause musculoskeletal side effects like bone or joint pain. But this is rare. 

• Breast cancer medication: People with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer may be recommended treatment with hormone therapy, like letrozole. Muscle and joint pain are possible side effects of treatment with letrozole. It’s possible to develop joint pain even after taking these medications for weeks to months. So even if these medications aren’t new to you, they may still be the root of your new joint pain.

How can you manage joint or muscle pain while taking Mounjaro?

If you’re experiencing joint or muscle pain while taking Mounjaro, there are several ways to manage your symptoms and rule out more serious issues.

Talk with a healthcare professional first

• Don’t stop Mounjaro on your own. Even if the pain is new or uncomfortable, continue taking your medication unless your healthcare team tells you otherwise.

• Rule out other causes. They may want to order blood tests or X-rays to look for other causes of pain.

• Check your other medications. Other medications like statins and antibiotics can cause muscle pain, too. Your healthcare team will review your medications to find the most likely culprit.

Try at-home strategies to manage muscle and joint pain

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: Medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease mild to moderate joint or muscle pain.

• Hot-and-cold therapy: A warm compress can loosen tight muscles, while an ice pack can help reduce inflammation.

• Electrolyte replenishment. Some people experience cramps or aches when they’re dehydrated or low on electrolytes. Stay hydrated with drinks that contain potassium, magnesium, and sodium.

• Stay active with low-impact exercise. Activities like walking, yoga, and swimming help maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness, without overloading your joints.

• Eat a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats may help reduce inflammation and support muscle and joint health.

Pay attention to your injection site in case it’s causing soreness

• Rotate injection sites. Giving your shot in a different area each week (thigh, abdomen, or upper arm) can help reduce localized pain or irritation.

• Use an ice pack. Applying ice for a few minutes before or after your injection may help ease soreness or swelling in the area.

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Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

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