I've lost 119lb on Mounjaro – the important summer advice people need to know, I've seen nobody talk about it
AROUND half a million Brits use weight loss drugs - and the number is expected to double in the next year.
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making people feel fuller for longer.
The injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over).
One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on someone's weight.
Tirzepitide, which is sold under the brand name Mounjaro, is regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs.
Now, one woman has revealed the summer tip people should know about when it comes to the injections that people don't seem to talk about.
Heather, from Scotland, has lost 119lb on the weight loss jabs in a year.
In a TikTok video, she said she had an "important bit of advice" for people taking Mounjaro and going off on holiday this summer.
She said: "Did you know that if you are taking Mounjaro that you should be declaring that to your travel insurance provider?
"This doesn't seem to really be talked about at all on TikTok, I haven't heard anyone else mention this.
"So as we know when you apply for travel insurance they will ask you all questions about your health, about any medication and Mounjaro comes under that. So you should be sharing that with them."
She continued: "Now as we all know like insurance companies are fickle. If there's any loophole that they can get for not paying out if you need help, if you have a medical issue on holiday or anything like that. If there's a loophole they can find they definitely will.
"So for your own peace of mind make sure that you are declaring the fact that you are taking Mounjaro to your travel insurance.
"Now obviously people also have annual covers that they buy so maybe the last time that you got your insurance you weren't on Mounjaro at that point.
"So if you are now taking it it's worthwhile just giving them a call just to update that information and keep yourself right before you go off on holiday.
"It's obviously worth bearing in mind that every policy is different but I very much have the opinion when it comes to travel insurance of giving the whole picture so that they don't have any reason to decline or avoid paying out for any claims that you potentially have to make. It's a being safe rather than sorry situation."
The social media post sparked a flurry of interaction with 15,000 views and more than 70 comments from other Mounjaro users.
One said: "I had annual insurance and called to say i was on MJ because I couldn't see anywhere to add medication online. After a lot of questions they added obesity as a health issue. It added 95p to the price."
A second wrote: "It's prescription drug whether on the NHS or private it's still a prescription drug. I think you're spot on. Any excuse for travel insurance to not pay out."
"Ooh I didn't know that. Thank you", cried a third.
What are the side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
A fourth echoed: "Didn't know that, I'm going away next week and I will definitely be giving them a call, thank you."
Meanwhile, a fifth added: "I called [mine] and told them, no additional cost to policy."
Others, however have revealed they've had less luck after trying to declare their medication.
One person said: "I called mine. They said they didn't need to know if it was for cosmetic purposes and not prescribed by a doctor. But I wouldn't be covered for side affects related to it."
Another wrote: "Phoned mine, they said if I wasn't on Mounjaro for a medical reason and it was purely to lose weight they didn't need to know. Glad I told them though as they'll try anything to get out of paying."
Someone else chimed in: "I phoned them but they said as I wasn't diagnosed as having obesity they said it was fine but I made them check with their legal and put a note on my insurance."
And a fourth sighed: "I rang mine to declare they basically said because I was taking it through choice and not because of a medical issue they basically wasn't interested."
Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams acknowledged that Mounjaro, which could soon be rolled out on the NHS, can save the lives of people with 'life-threatening levels of obesity.'
But despite this, the NHS warned: 'Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you.
"These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.'
The drugs can be lawfully supplied when prescribed by a practitioner - such as a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber.
But increasingly, people have been buying them through online pharmacies with insufficient checks.
Only recently, figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed fat jabs had been linked to 82 deaths across the UK.
And the family of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro, are now calling for a probe into the jab's "potential to kill."
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