Mounjaro User's Dramatic Weight Loss Overshadowed by Severe Side Effects
Antony Hawman, a 48-year-old London businessman, achieved a remarkable 6 stone weight loss using the medication Mounjaro, but his journey was severely disrupted by unexpected and debilitating side effects that he claims were not adequately warned about.
A Determined Journey Towards Health
Hawman, who co-founded a business media company and resides in central London, had struggled with his weight since his teenage years during the 1990s, when media and popular culture placed enormous emphasis on body image. "My weight gain happened when I moved to London at 21 years old and found a strong social life," he explains. "Alcohol and junk food found me. It was a slow burn, but then in my 30s, I realised I'd been getting heavier."
At his heaviest in 2017, Hawman weighed 123 kilograms (19.5 stone) at a height of 6ft 1in. "I was always told I carried it well, but I didn't want to carry it at all," he admits. "My weight was always a thought. I tried to not think about it, but it would be at the forefront of every decision - buying new clothes, going on holiday, doing anything active."
The Mounjaro Transformation
In early July 2024, weighing 123kg, Hawman began taking Mounjaro after extensive research. "I decided I wanted to be healthier, which was the main aim," he explains. "My issue wasn't just physical, it was mental. I would think about food all the time and I'd use it as a crutch."
Over the following 12 months, he implemented a comprehensive health regimen:
- Using Mounjaro to manage "food noise"
- Exercising at least five times weekly across various activities
- Adopting protein-packed, nutrient-dense meals
- Practicing moderation with treats like chocolate
- Increasing water intake and taking vitamin supplements
By August 2025, Hawman had dropped to 90kg (14.1 stone), representing a loss of over 40kg (6 stone).
The Hidden Dangers of Dosage Guidance
Despite his impressive results, Hawman's experience turned difficult when he followed guidance to regularly increase his Mounjaro dosage. "I moved up to 7.5mgs in my third month and had a pretty miserable weekend of chronic stomach pains, diarrhoea and dehydration," he recalls.
His healthcare provider couldn't clarify or assist with these adverse reactions, forcing him to seek solutions independently. "It wasn't until I did my research via some chat rooms on TikTok, where a woman in Texas told me to go back down to 5mgs, get some electrolytes and a decent probiotic," he explains.
The Gut Health Solution
Hawman heeded this unconventional advice, scaled back his dose, and began taking Symprove probiotics. "Within a week, all of my side effects disappeared," he reports. "I have taken Symprove religiously every day for the last 18 months and have had zero side effects. The only time I've had 'Mounjaro tummy' was when I'd been on holiday and forgot to take Symprove with me."
He has since maintained his focus on gut health while continuing his weight loss journey, reducing his blood pressure medication and establishing a far healthier, more energetic lifestyle. From wearing XL or XXL clothes in July 2024, Hawman now fits into a medium with a 30 or 32 inch waist.
A Cautionary Success Story
Hawman champions Mounjaro's benefits while cautioning that information surrounding weight loss injections requires significant improvement. "I think this drug is a lifesaver and only have great things to say, but back in 2024, I definitely felt the messaging was to move up the doses each month," he explains. "You'd have some side effects and they would pass. I figured out the hard way that actually, the side effects were pretty grim."
He advocates for a more measured approach: "If you stick to the lower doses while you are still seeing weight loss and give yourself time to get used to the side effects, the journey was actually fine."
Hawman's transformation extends beyond physical changes: "I feel incredible and my only regret is that I didn't know about Mounjaro sooner," he says. "I am super active, I don't think about my body negatively, I have way more energy. As long as you do your research and understand how to nourish your body and take some form of exercise, Mounjaro is an incredible tool, but it's just that - a tool. The best part is I have completely changed my mindset on food. I feel in control instead of it controlling me."
