Mounjaro warning for weight-loss jabs unexpected side effect
These medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, can lead to average weight loss of 5.9% in just three months, increasing to 10.9% by six months. That's more than a stone for many users.
Key differences between three weight-loss injections: Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. https://t.co/Ispb7XfkuW pic.twitter.com/ak88gcmMf7 — Dr sthanu subramanian (@drsthanus) July 2, 2025
Jewellers are reporting a sudden rise in couples needing their rings resized, or in some cases, replaced entirely after the ring unexpectedly slipped off.
'Weight loss injections like Mounjaro are revolutionising the way people lose weight," says Ayesha Bashir, prescribing pharmacist and mounjaro expert, from Chemist4U. "More and more obesity patients are moving away from traditional, rules-based programs and increasingly turning to clinical, medically guided solutions that offer long-term results. Traditional diet programs, which were once household staples, are losing relevance.
"Terms like 'Slimming World' once dominated conversations about weight management, but have been overtaken by searches related to prescription treatments. The data points to a fundamental change in how the public is searching for and likely achieving weight loss.'
But alongside dress sizes dropping and belts being tightened, fingers are slimming down, too.
Neil Dutta, Managing Director of jeweller Angelic Diamonds, says his team has seen a surge in customers reporting loose or lost rings linked to rapid weight loss: 'Weight-loss jabs are changing people's bodies faster than they realise, and most don't think their fingers will shrink until the ring is slipping off.
'Usually, people associate ring resizing with gaining weight, not losing it. But we've seen a real increase in customers needing their rings made smaller.
📢Important update
Eligible people in #Dorset will be able to access Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) weight management medication from autumn 2025.
✅Around 1,000 people in Dorset will qualify under strict national criteria
✅No need to contact your doctor
More: https://t.co/ml4QJgZ224 pic.twitter.com/uURpuIuYzx — NHS Dorset (@NHSDorset) June 23, 2025
'Sadly, for some, it's already too late. We've had people come in devastated after their wedding ring fell off during a dog walk or shopping trip. When something so personal just vanishes, it's a horrible feeling, and one they never expected.'
Google searches back it up:
'Ring size adjuster for loose rings' up 450% in the last year
'Ring adjuster for loose rings' up 300%
'Ring adjuster near me' up 250%
'We're getting more calls and emails from people panicking about their rings feeling loose,' says Dutta. 'Some try plastic adjusters as a quick fix, which can help short term, but it's not a long-term solution if the ring is constantly slipping. That's when resizing becomes essential.'
Recommended reading:
Five ways to keep your rings safe if you are prescribed Mounjaro or Wegovy
Test your ring fit once a month. If your ring moves around on its own or slips off with barely any effort, it's a sign it's too loose. Don't ignore it. Take it off during exercise and in cold weather. Fingers shrink slightly with temperature or movement, and that's when a loose ring can slip off without warning. Store it safely if your size is changing. If you're actively losing weight, consider wearing your ring on a chain or keeping it in a safe place until your size settles. Get it professionally resized. 'Resizing is usually quick and affordable,' Dutta explains. 'We adjust the band to your new size without affecting the way it looks or feels. It's the best way to make sure your ring stays on your finger where it belongs.' Know when to redesign. Some rings can't be resized repeatedly, like thin bands or vintage designs. 'In those cases, we can use your original stones and materials to create a new ring that fits properly but still carries all the meaning. It's about keeping the story alive, even if the shape changes.'
What are 'Ozempic hands'?
Some people started using the term 'Ozempic hands' to describe the visible appearance of tendons and slimmer fingers following fast fat loss, although Ozempic is not indicated for weight-management in the UK.
It is only indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes. Most people in the UK are prescribed Mounjaro or Wegovy.
'Most people don't notice it happening,' says Dutta.
'They might just think their ring feels a bit looser, then suddenly one day it's gone. We've had customers who've lost theirs in the garden, at the gym, or while just washing their hands. It's upsetting. And because it's avoidable, it makes the sadness feel even worse.'
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Half-off Ozempic? US patients paying in cash can now buy the popular weight-loss drug for less
American diabetes patients will now be able to buy the wildly popular weight-loss drug Ozempic for half its usual price — as long as they pay out of pocket. Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk said on Monday that it would make the drug available through its direct pharmacy service for $499 per month, compared to a list price of just under $1,000 per month. The drug is available as an obesity medication under the alternate brand name Wegovy but will now be sold to patients with diabetes prescriptions as well. Scientifically known as semaglutide, Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists have rapidly transformed weight loss and diabetes treatment across the world, while at one point boosting Novo Nordisk's profits enough to raise the entire GDP of Denmark. It comes after President Donald Trump specifically called out GLP-1 agonists for being more expensive in the U.S. than in other countries, claiming he would "slash the cost of prescription drugs" by as much as 80 percent. He also accused European nations of "unfairly shifting the cost burden onto American patients" by using the bargaining power of their large single-payer healthcare services to force U.S. pharma companies to accept lower prices. Big Pharma has been responsive, with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla recently admitting that he and other firms are discussing ways to make their drugs available more cheaply. Sales of Ozempic surged by 500 to 600 percent in the U.K. after its competitor Mounjaro announced that prices would more than triple starting on September 1. But Trump's tariffs could also raise the price of U.S. drugs that are manufactured abroad unless pharma companies or foreign governments can agree some exemption. Novo Nordisk launched its NovaCare pharmacy in March, offering Wegovy for $499 to patients willing to skip insurance and forego any reimbursement. More recently the president upgraded his promise on drug prices to say he would cut them by up to "1,500 percent", which is mathematically impossible without going into negative numbers. In Ozempic's case, reducing the list price by 1,500 percent would result in Novo Nordisk paying American patients around $14,000 for a month's supply of the drug — which is unlikely.
STV News
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Weight loss jabs for cats and dogs: Are pets next in line for Ozempic?
Pets could soon be following their owners in using revolutionary weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic. Scientists are developing and testing veterinary versions of the GLP-1 medicines for use on cats and dogs. As part of a partnership between drug companies Okava and Vivani, early-stage clinical trials in cats found that small doses successfully reduced the animals' calorie intake and body weight. Plans have been announced for an implant that reproduces the effect in dogs – with the aim of bringing it to the market as soon as 2028. It comes after a recent study estimated that around 60% of dogs and 39-52% of cats in the UK are deemed overweight. Vets have warned against the weight loss drugs – suggesting that owners would be better off avoiding obesity in their pets through more old-fashioned methods, such as exercise and restrictive diets. Caroline Allen, the RSPCA's chief veterinary officer, said: 'A healthy diet and exercise are the best ways to keep our pets happy and well, but we understand that owners can sometimes struggle to manage their pets' weight. 'There is currently little information about proposed weight-loss implants or vaccinations for animals, and owners shouldn't rely on them becoming available. 'Before resorting to these sorts of interventions, owners should seek help from their vet about how to reduce their pet's weight with a good diet and providing lots of opportunities to exercise and play in ways that their pet will enjoy.' Mary Swift via Adobe Stock Plans have been announced for an implant that reproduces the effect in dogs – with the aim of bringing it to the market as soon as 2028. The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide, and in Ozempic, it is semaglutide. Both work by mimicking a hormone produced in the body called GLP-1, a substance released in the gut when people consume food. This hormone regulates blood sugar and appetite, slowing the rate at which food is emptied from the stomach, ultimately leading people to feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry. While the human versions are administered by injections once a week – the pet drugs would be delivered via implants. A trial of the drug Exenatide last year fitted five cats with an experimental subcutaneous implant, known as OKV-119, which released the weight-loss chemical into the blood for 84 days. Analysis found four of five cats had a reduction in body mass of at least 5%. Okava, a San Francisco-based biopharma company that specialises in pet health and is running trials desgined to mimic the effects of Ozempic, said using the drugs can help avoid 'disrupting the human-animal bond'. 'Caloric restriction, or fasting, is one of the most well-established interventions for extending the lifespan and improving metabolic health in dogs,' said Okava CEO Michael Klotsman. 'But it is also one of the hardest to maintain. 'OKV-119 mimics many of the physiological effects of fasting—improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fat mass and more efficient energy metabolism—without requiring significant changes in feeding routines or disrupting the human-animal bond that often centres around food.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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3 hours ago
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I lost 12st with fat jabs and reversed high blood pressure and joint pain – ex-boyfriends are crawling back
A WOMAN who lost 12 stone on Mounjaro jabs has overhauled her health and says her biological clock hsa reduced by 16 years. Susan Forgie's transformation has brought about an unexpected side effect - as the 75-year-old says her exes have come crawling back. 7 7 Susan had been yo-yo dieting since her teenage years. Doctors became concerned when she reached 23 stone, as she grappled with a number of health issues including 'sky-high' blood pressure. She was referred to an obesity clinic, which recommended she try weight loss medication to help slim down. The 75-year-old hasn't looked back since – overhauling her health and reducing her metabolic age to that of a 59-year-old. 'A couple of men I dated prior to losing weight have commented that they should never have let me go and shouldn't we try again,' Susan, from Oswestry, Shropshire, said. 'Someone at the gym asked me to go for a drink with him, and someone else I have known for years says he can't stop thinking about me. 'I get looks I never used to have.' Despite the attention, Susan is happily with her partner Tim, 74, whom she met after she shed six stone. Having seen her success, he started taking Mounjaro himself and lost over two stone. Susan added: 'My friends and family have been stunned by my transformation, too. 'I've never been the average pensioner, but, because of my size, I've never been able to follow fashion. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons 'I'm no longer restricted by wearing only what clothes are in my size – I wear a lot more colour now. 'I've replaced all the clothes in my wardrobe, having gone from a size 22/24 to a 12/14. 'I was never able to wear fashionable clothes like over-the-knee long leather boots – but I can now.' 7 7 The decision to start taking Mounjaro - which private clinics will start charging more for come September - came following a series of health concerns linked to her weight. 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Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. Now, Susan is no longer on blood pressure medication, she has no more joint pain, and her thyroid medication dose has been reduced by 25 per cent. The effects of the jabs were noticeable just two weeks into taking them, back in August 2023. Sue said: 'Within a couple of weeks of starting my weight loss journey, my joint pain completely disappeared. 'Cravings for sweet things and large amounts of food also went, and after a month, my blood pressure medication was halved. 'It stopped altogether a few weeks later. 'I had an underactive thyroid and was taking 125mg of Thyroxine, which was then reduced to 100mg. It has been like handing back 16 years of my life Susan Forgie 'I could walk long distances and uphill without getting out of breath, and exercise without tiring. 'I also wanted to eat different foods. 'It's as if my body chemistry has changed and I want lean meat, vegetables and fruit. 'My consumption of alcohol, fatty foods, cream and cheese has dramatically reduced – I simply don't want them.' 7 Susan also recently had a fitness assessment at her local gym, and was stunned to discover her metabolic age puts her at just 59 – 16 years younger than her true age. The 75-year-old says she is 'thrilled' with how her health has improved, having spent decades trying to diet and shift the excess pounds. Susan has spent an estimated £4,600 on the medication over the past 23 months – which she says 'pays for itself' through her reduced food and takeaway spend. She added: 'If somebody had come to me at the beginning and said, 'Pay this money and I will hand back 16 years of your life and improve your health immensely,' I think it would have been a no-brainer. 'My health is the best it has been in many years.' She's been able to stay at 12st 4lbs since August 2024. Susan added: 'I had never been able to do that before! 'I am greatly enjoying the health benefits that have come from losing weight, improved nutrition and increased activity. 'I just celebrated my 75th birthday, but the recent fitness assessment from my gym has calculated a metabolic age of 59 – so I'm thrilled with that. 'It has been like handing back 16 years of my life. 'I'm proof that it's never too late to strive for a healthy weight.'
