Charles Barkley Reveals Major Weight Loss and the Drug That Helped Him Make it Happen

Charles Barkley, the renowned NBA legend, achieved tremendous success in his basketball career, and now he has achieved remarkable success in shedding excess weight.

In a recent interview on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the 60-year-old Barkley unveiled the secret behind his weight loss journey, which enabled him to go from 352 pounds to 290 pounds.

“I’m working out. I’m taking my shot once a week,” Barkley said in reference to the prescription medication Mounjaro.

As per details provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Mounjaro is prescribed in conjunction with diet and exercise to assist in controlling blood sugar levels in adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

During a recent episode of “The Dan Patrick Show” on May 26, Barkley openly acknowledged his use of Mounjaro as part of his diabetes management regimen.

Barkley described how the weight loss has changed the way he feels about himself. “I started at 352 [pounds],” he said. “And I’m down to 290. I’m starting to feel like a human being.”

He further mentioned that his doctor cautioned him about the negative implications of carrying excessive weight as he gets older.

“My doctor told me, she says, ‘There’s a lot of fat young people. Ain’t a lot of fat old people. They’re all dead,'” Barkley stated.

Pat McAfee was looking for more information on the science of the drug when he asked Barkley, “Do you know what it’s doing to you exactly?”

Barkley smiled and admitted he has zero clue what the drug does to help him lose weight. “I have zero idea what it does,” Barkley said.

Mounjaro is the trade name for tirzepatide, a medication similar to well-known drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Ozempic and Wegovy, both brand names for semaglutide, serve different purposes.

Wegovy received FDA approval in 2021 and was primarily developed to address chronic obesity, while Ozempic was originally designed for individuals with Type 2 diabetes.