New ‘dream' daily weight loss pill ‘better than surgery OR fat jabs' and has ‘minimal to no side effects'
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A DAILY weight loss pill is a safer alternative to gastric bypass surgery, makers say.
The tablet does the same job by making people feel full for longer.
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A daily weight loss pill, the Synt-101 pill, is a safer alternative to gastric bypass surgery, makers say
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Its developers say the treatment is a better way to lose weight than surgery or fat jabs, which can trigger severe side-effects.
A pilot human trial on nine patients indicated the pill was safe to use and reduced hunger signals.
It contains a chemical called polydopamine that reacts with an enzyme in the gut to create a lining which moves digestion to an area where fullness hormones are triggered.
The mucosal membrane is then naturally excreted by the body each day. Gastric bypass surgery disconnects the stomach from the small intestine and reattaches it lower down to achieve the same effect.
It is effective but only a few thousand patients have the operation each year on the NHS.
The Synt-101 pill was developed by US company Syntis Bio.
Chief executive Rahul Dhanda told the European Congress on Obesity in Spain: 'The dream is to have this be the go-to drug for weight management.
'The obvious benefit over gastric bypass surgery is you could avoid an invasive procedure and take a daily pill instead.
"Plus a gastric bypass is irreversible whereas you can stop this when you no longer want it.
'This integrates with the mucosal membrane which is naturally excreted by the body. You take the pill once a day in the morning and it should be cleared by the next day.'
40 Day Health Challenge pro reveals top tips to avoid snacking
Mr Dhanda said the pill could also be taken by patients who have come off GLP-1 weight loss injections, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
He said: 'The problem with GLP-1s is they are not very tolerable.
'An oral pill is the rational choice because it's simple, tolerable and safe.
'I anticipate the side-effects to be minimal to none.'
'Golden age' for fat fight
A GOLDEN age of obesity treatment is on the horizon with more than 150 new drugs in clinical trials, experts say.
But they need to be rolled out quicker to the 16million fat people in Britain, they believe.
The European Congress on Obesity heard pharma companies are spending billions targeting hunger hormones.
Dr Louis Aronne, of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, said: 'I call this the golden age of obesity treatment.'
It could take the NHS 12 years to supply all those who need them.
Prof Jason Halford, of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, said: 'These drugs have the potential to help millions.
'If the Government and NHS are serious about prevention, they need to reconsider the speed of the rollout of these drugs.'
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.'
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
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Around 1.5 million people in the UK use weight loss treatments 💉 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK use weight loss medications. GPs were given the green light to prescribe weight loss jabs in June. A pharmacist has revealed what you need to be aware of when starting them. A leading pharmacist has revealed exactly what to expect after starting weight loss jabs. An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK use weight-loss treatments, though that number is expected to rise after GPs were given the green light to prescribe them in June this year. 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Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK use weight loss treatments. | Pexels, MART PRODUCTION What to expect when starting weight loss injections? When you start weight loss treatment, the medications are likely to leave you feeling fuller faster, and you may have less interest in food. This is because the drugs delay your stomach from emptying, which can leave you feeling fuller for longer. Mr Thakrar said: 'You may feel nauseous or might even vomit. This is very common in the early days and will pass. One way of easing these symptoms is by eating smaller meals and avoiding fatty or spicy foods.' Other common side effects include constipation and diarrhoea, which can be managed by ensuring you are drinking water regularly. Fibre supplements or stool softeners are also helpful in easing constipation symptoms. There are also reports of indigestion or heartburn. Avoid lying down after eating, or speak to your pharmacist about antacids that can help by neutralising excess stomach acids. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Thakrar added: 'Some users report tiredness and headaches, but this is often temporary and improves with time. My most important piece of advice would be to get expert advice from a trained healthcare professional when you start weight loss treatments.' When will I start losing weight? Weight loss will start slowly, peaking between three to six months as your body adjusts. Mr Thakrar explains: 'Initially, most weight loss is water and appetite-related. Peak fat loss comes between months three and six, when results should be visible. It's after six months that things slow down, unless you've changed your habits, like being more active, and eating more healthily.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What can I do to increase my weight loss? Weight loss treatments enhance, but don't replace lifestyle changes. Mr Thakrar, explains that it's important to take diet and exercise into consideration as part of your overall weight loss plan. When should I seek medical help? Some side effects indicate you should seek medical help from your pharmacist or doctor immediately. This includes persistent vomiting, intense abdominal pain, or ongoing feelings of nausea. Mr Thakrar said: 'This could be early signs of pancreatitis, which is a serious condition where an organ called the pancreas becomes inflamed. Many people with acute pancreatitis recover within a week with treatment and rest. But severe cases can lead to complications like pancreatic necrosis (tissue death), infection, pseudocysts (fluid-filled sacs), and organ failure.' If you are having difficulty breathing, swallowing, or a rash or swelling, this could be a sign of an allergic reaction and requires urgent medical help. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Thakrar said: 'These might be signs of a serious allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) or airway swelling, both of which can become life-threatening very quickly. 'Even though these reactions are rare with weight-loss treatments, they can still happen, especially when starting a new medication, so it's important to be vigilant and act quickly if you have any concerns. If it's a serious medical emergency, call 999' Will weight loss medications work long-term? Most people lose at least 5% of their body weight when following weight loss treatment, with around half losing 15% or more. Mr Thakrar said: 'To put it into perspective, if you weigh 100 kg, a 15% loss is around 15 kg (about 2.5 stone), and if you weigh 85 kg, a 10% loss is 8.5 kg (just over a stone)'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, for the treatment to remain effective, you must combine weight loss treatment with healthy habits like eating well and exercising more to see long-term improvements.
