NEW YORK, Dec 28: Elon Musk has announced that he has switched to a more powerful weight-loss medication, sharing the update with a festive photo of himself dressed as Father Christmas. The 53-year-old SpaceX billionaire posted a picture of his slimmer self in a red-and-white fur-lined suit, captioned "Ozempic Santa."

Musk clarified that although he had previously been using Ozempic, a medication for Type 2 diabetes that has gained popularity for weight loss, he is now taking Mounjaro instead. "Technically, Mounjaro, but that doesn't have the same ring to it," he added.

The change came after Musk experienced uncomfortable side effects from Ozempic, leading him to seek an alternative. Ozempic, along with other GLP-1 inhibitors, works by mimicking a natural hormone that helps users feel full. Musk revealed that high doses of Ozempic caused significant discomfort, making him "fart and burp like Barney from The Simpsons."

He noted that Mounjaro has fewer side effects and seems more effective. The drugs have become highly sought after for weight loss, although they are not widely available through federal insurance programs. A recent poll found that 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 inhibitors at some point, with half of that number currently using them.

Mounjaro, which has been dubbed the "King Kong" of weight-loss drugs, is considered more effective than its competitors with fewer side effects. It received FDA approval for weight loss in November 2023 under the brand name Zepbound. In the UK, the drug will be available on a limited basis through the NHS starting in April.

Research suggests that broader access to GLP-1 inhibitors could have significant health benefits, potentially saving 42,000 lives annually in the U.S., including 11,000 people with Type 2 diabetes who could benefit from these medications.

The drugs have gained particular attention in Hollywood, where they have been called the "worst-kept secret" in the industry. Musk has voiced support for making these medications more affordable, stating that "nothing would do more to improve the health, lifespan and quality of life for Americans than making GLP inhibitors super low cost to the public."

The issue has become politically charged, with Republicans divided over whether to expand access to GLP-1 inhibitors through federal healthcare programs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been chosen by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has expressed caution, suggesting that while the drugs "have a place," lifestyle changes should be prioritized. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump’s appointee to oversee Medicare and Medicaid Services, has been a strong advocate for weight-loss medications. Trump himself sparked speculation about using such drugs after losing 9kg during his presidential campaign, though he attributed the weight loss to his busy schedule.