Rosie O’Donnell reveals dramatic weight loss after using Mounjaro; How safe is it for women in 60s?

Rosie O'Donnell can’t recognize herself anymore!

The 63-year-old former star of ‘The View’ recently opened up about her weight loss journey and showcased her new, slimmer figure. O’Donnell credited Mounjaro for her dramatic transformation in a recent Instagram post.

In her post, she shared a screenshot of a video taken of her onstage, where she wore dark pants and a light green sweater while holding a microphone and mic stand, appearing to engage with the audience. She captioned the photo, "I can't believe this is me now," and included the hashtags “#mounjaro,” “#weightloss,” and “#bodydismorphia.”

O'Donnell moved to Ireland a few months ago with her 12-year-old child, Clay. Sharing updates and insights about her weight loss journey, O’Donnell said in a TikTok video in March. “I’ve lost more weight. I am on Mounjaro for my diabetes, and one of the side effects is weight loss." She added, "But it’s also because I had a chef for over two years in Los Angeles, and now I’m cooking for Clay and me.”

The “Harriet the Spy” actress admitted she’s “always had a weight issue” as she discussed shopping for new clothes at a boutique in Dublin. She shared that she had to shop in Dublin for new clothes that fit her better following her weight loss. Recounting her journey after years of battling weight issues, she said, "I'm one of those people who always had a weight issue, and now that I'm a size large—instead of an XL or a XXL—I find it shocking. I really do. I find it completely shocking."

After suffering a heart attack in 2012, O’Donnell underwent vertical sleeve gastrectomy the following year. She told People in 2015, “That surgery changed my life,” revealing she dropped from 240 pounds down to 176.

In January 2023, O'Donnell revealed that her doctor had prescribed her Mounjaro and Repatha two months prior, with noticeable results already. She clarified, "One I take every other week and one I take once a week." At the she also shared, “Christmas, I stopped drinking anything except water,” revealing she had already shed 10 pounds. She added, “I really stopped drinking like five or six Diet Cokes a day. All I drink is water now.”

While she mostly credited Mounjaro for her physical transformation, O'Donnell also revealed some major lifestyle changes as well. Apart from the medication, she mentioned, “My appetite has decreased significantly; it's probably the meds. And I'm trying to move more. So, all those things combined—that's what it is," she said at the time.

See More: Diabetes Symptoms: 10 silent symptoms that could be hiding in plain sight

What is Mounjaro?

Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for type 2 diabetes and packaged as an injection, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has already sparked discussions over its effectiveness in managing weight, with some claiming it is superior to Ozempic, the popular weight loss drug. Tirzepatide is an antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and for weight management and is administered via subcutaneous injections (under the skin).

In the United States, it is sold under the brand name Mounjaro for diabetes treatment and Zepbound for weight loss and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Mounjaro is administered via weekly injections in the thigh, stomach, or arm. Several prominent figures, including Elon Musk, Meghan Trainor, and Amy Schumer, have publicly shared their experiences with the drug in recent months.

Is Mounjaro safe for women in their 60s?

Mounjaro is FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes, and its use has been studied in various age groups, including older adults, and there are no specific age restrictions mentioned in the Mounjaro prescribing information. Mounjaro is generally considered safe for use in women in their 60s as well.

However, it is crucial to discuss it with a healthcare professional who can assess individual health risks, including any pre-existing conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors, to determine if Mounjaro is appropriate for them.