Rosie O'Donnell has shared her approach to using the GLP-1 agonist drug Mounjaro for weight loss, a method she credits with helping her shed 65 pounds over three years while avoiding common side effects.
Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2022, O'Donnell, 64, revealed on Ana Navarro's podcast Bleep! that she intentionally used the medication slowly. She started with the lowest dose, 2.5, for the first year, then moved to 5 for the second year, and is currently on 7.5 for the third year. This gradual increase allowed her to prevent side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain.
"I wanted to go slow because I know that it overwhelms me when I have lost it quick before," O'Donnell explained. "I like doing it at a slow pace. I like how it feels that I'm not sick."
She also reduced her sugar intake and cut back on Diet Coke. O'Donnell noted that her doctor suggested increasing her dosage more quickly during the first year, but she declined, stating, "I'm fine as it is."
O'Donnell plans to increase her dose one more time before discontinuing. She also underwent a $90,000 facelift in January to address sagging skin resulting from her weight loss.
The FDA has approved semaglutide (Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), and tirzepatide (Zepbound) specifically for weight loss. Other GLP-1 drugs are approved for patients with type 2 diabetes. The notes mention several celebrities who have publicly acknowledged using GLP-1 medications for weight loss, including Oprah Winfrey, Kathy Bates, Kelly Clarkson, and Elon Musk.
In 2013, O'Donnell had vertical gastric sleeve surgery, a year after suffering a significant heart attack. She is currently performing in her one-woman show, "Rosie O'Donnell: Common Knowledge," in New York City through August 8. Additionally, she is scheduled to guest host "Jimmy Kimmel Live" next month and will appear in the upcoming film "4 Kids Walk Into a Bank." O'Donnell is also nominated for an outstanding daytime special Emmy for producing the Hulu documentary "Unleashing Hope."