Gemma Collins has revealed she had to stop taking weight-loss injections after suffering a “gallbladder attack” the could have been brought on by the medication
The TOWIE star, 44, temporarily came off the medication – which was originally designed to combat type 2 diabetes – after she was left in “excruciating” pain in August(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Warner Bros.)
After fears that Gemma Collins’ agonising “gallbladder attack” could have been brought on by fat jabs, she is now “microdosing” weight-loss drug Mounjaro since losing an impressive 3½st.
The TOWIE star, 44, temporarily came off the medication – which was originally designed to combat type 2 diabetes – after she was left in “excruciating” pain in August. Gemma, who has dropped from a size 26 to a size 20 since starting the weight-loss injections a year ago, revealed how “she fell to the floor” in pain while celebrating fiancé Rami Hawash’s birthday at a race track.
A scan revealed she was suffering from gallstones, which have been linked to Mounjaro use, but the star now plans to follow the new trend of taking smaller doses of the drug in a bid to stay trim.
READ MORE: Gemma Collins says she’s ‘free’ as weight loss jab puts end to struggle many suffer withREAD MORE: Gemma Collins slams ‘skinny people’ for taking weight loss jabs in sad confession
Gemma previously revealed that she had lost two stone(Image: gemmacollins/instagram)
The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that gallstones is a common side effect of tirzepatide when used for weight management(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
“I had to stop the jabs for a bit because I had a gallbladder attack in August, but they’ve assured me that it’s not actually linked to Mounjaro,” Gemma said. “I’ve given it a rest and I’ve really been managing what I’ve been eating. But I think I’m going to start microdosing because I feel with the microdosing, you don’t get all the [side] effects.”
A spokeswoman for Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro, said, “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority and we actively monitor, evaluate and report safety information for all our medicines to [regulatory agency] MHRA.
The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that gallstones is a common side effect of tirzepatide when used for weight management (may affect up to 1 in 10 people), and that cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder) and gallstones when used for type 2 diabetes, are uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people). Anyone experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine should consult their doctor or other healthcare professional, and should ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”
Gemma has hailed the weekly injections – which suppress the user’s appetite – as “life-changing”. “I’ve lost about 3½st and kept it off. I just feel good,” she said. “I’m never going to look stick thin. I don’t want to look stick thin. It’s not who I am. But it’s about being healthier. So it’s all going in the right direction.”
The Diva Forever star has been open and honest about her weight loss journey throughout her years in the public eye 
The GC followed guidance to keep increasing her dosage incrementally, from the starting dose of 2.5mg. (Image: Getty Images)
The GC followed guidance to keep increasing her dosage incrementally, from the starting dose of 2.5mg. The recommended maximum dose is 15mg a week.
“I went up to the maximum dose,” she said.“But my favourite dose was 2.5mg. So I’m going to go microdosing all the way on that now.” At her heaviest, Gemma weighed 23st – but her weight has plummeted since starting the injections.
“I’ll always love my food, but it [the injection] stops me,” she said. “I could only have two or three mouthfuls of roast dinner. I went about six weeks without losing a thing, but I was being lazy, not making scrambled eggs, and having a Twix for breakfast.
“At first you get tired, but your body gets used to it. I still want to lose 6st from my heaviest, but I’m not in a rush doing it this time. I’m doing this the right way.
“I’ve been big for a long time. And actually at first I was so shocked by the rapid weight loss. It was weird for my mind. When I looked in the mirror, I looked so different. And I was like, ‘Woah, am I ready for this?’”
In 2019, Gemma consulted cosmetic surgeon Dr Simon Ourian about having fat “sucked out” of her face. She is now hoping to achieve the so-called “Ozempic face” – where those who have shed lots of weight look thinner around the jaw.
She said, “Dr Ourian said the weight on my face is hereditary – some people just have weight on their face. So please, give me Ozempic face. If that’s going to happen to me, I’m all for it!”
Last week, Gemma described having the “toughest week of my life” after her beloved mum Joan was hospitalised with pneumonia. In 2016, Joan was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, where cells in the breast tissue lining become cancerous. And in May last year, a petrified Gemma had to call an ambulance after her mum stopped breathing.
Speaking prior to Joan’s most recent hospitalisation, Gemma said, “Mum and Dad are living with me now. My mum had a lot of health scares last year. It was really shocking because they said that she had heart failure and they weren’t going to resuscitate her. “I said, ‘Hang on a minute. We were [out] last night eating dauphinois and mussels!’ It was just bizarre.”
Gemma said having her parents move into her home was “great” as they could spend more time together. She added, “My mum has always said she wants us all to live together.”
Gemma and Rami, who got engaged in February 2024, are planning to wed next year. The wedding was initially delayed due to multiple family illnesses, but Gemma has promised fans it will “absolutely” take place in 2026.
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