Latest news with #Ozempic-like
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Forget needles, fat-jab PILLS are here: Why they're cheaper, how much weight you could lose & the side effects revealed
From mimicking the effects of a gastric bypass op and gastric balloons to harnessing the science behind Wegovy and Mounjaro, scientists tell us these pills could prove to be an even bigger deal than their jab counterparts... NEW ERA Forget needles, fat-jab PILLS are here: Why they're cheaper, how much weight you could lose & the side effects revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EVERYONE'S talking about fat jabs - the 'miracle' injections trimming inches off waistlines, and helping turn the tide on the obesity epidemic. But what if there was an even easier - and cheaper - way than Ozempic-like injections, Wegovy and Mounjaro? 4 Slimming tablets have been around for decades - but now scientists want to harness the new momentum in obesity medicine to bring them back with a bang Credit: Getty 4 Rival company Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro (tirzepatide) announced the results of its pill orforglipron in April Credit: Getty Science sits still for no slimmer and already, the next big thing is looming large on the horizon - and it could be as simple as popping a pill. Slimming tablets have been around for decades, but now scientists want to harness the new momentum in obesity medicine - and use the billions being made from the jabs - to bring pills back with a bang. Professor Jason Halford, of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, tells Sun Health: 'I think pills will eventually replace injections. 'People don't particularly like them and they're a bit afraid of injecting themselves. 'You've got to have the device, the needle, the sharps bin, it's got to be refrigerated, there are all sorts of challenges. 'If you can move it all to a tablet you can increase acceptance and hopefully it will be cheaper and become more widely available.' Professor Richard Donnelly, editor of the medical journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, and clinical adviser at online weight loss clinic Juniper, agrees. 'Thirty years ago weight loss tablets had a terrible reputation and nobody really wanted to prescribe them,' he adds. 'They had rare but severe side effects and weren't particularly effective. 'Now there is a whole flood of development and a lot to be optimistic about. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons 'There is a big hope that developing pills will improve accessibility and cost less.' There are several pills in development - some stimulate the same hormones as jabs to make us feel full, while others mimic bariatric surgery. The end goal is the same - to do what willpower alone fails to achieve and stop us eating so much. While some are yet to even be trialled in humans, one has already been submitted for approval in the US, meaning they could be available before the end of the year. 4 There's even a weight loss pill in development that will emulate a gastric bypass Credit: Getty The most advanced pills being made are by the same companies behind the fat jabs. Novo Nordisk, creator of Wegovy and Ozempic, has developed a tablet version of semaglutide, the active drug in those injections. It applied for approval from the US Food and Drugs Administration last month. Trials showed patients lost an average of 15 per cent of their bodyweight over 17 months on a 50mg daily dose, compared with eight per cent over 12 months on Wegovy. Participants were three times more likely to achieve 'meaningful' weight loss when they were taking the pill, compared to those not taking the tablet. Rival company Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro (tirzepatide) announced the results of its pill orforglipron in April. The two drugs both work by stimulating GLP-1 hormones that make you feel full. What are the other 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. Patients taking 36mg of orforglipron lost eight per cent of their bodyweight in 10 months, equating to 1st 2lbs from an average starting weight of 14st 3lbs – while participants taking a placebo lost just 3lbs. It compares with 15 per cent weight loss in a year on Mounjaro. Lilly said their pill 'could be readily manufactured and launched at scale for use around the world'. But injections and pills have not been compared head-to-head yet. Studies are ongoing and taking the science behind these game-changing jabs and applying it to tablets, does not guarantee success. Pfizer abandoned the development of its drug lotiglipron in 2023 when a trial indicated potential liver damage as a side effect. Drugs tend to be more easily absorbed by the body when they are injected directly into the bloodstream, compared to being digested through the gut. And that's another key consideration - what the potential side effects of these new pills could be. Unpleasant side effects were the downfall of the old generation of slimming pills. 4 Novo Nordisk, creator of Wegovy and Ozempic, has developed a tablet version of semaglutide, the active drug in those injections Credit: Getty The NHS has prescribed a pill called orlistat for years, dishing out £12million worth of it in England last year. It works by preventing the gut from absorbing fat from food - but it means fat must be passed out in poo instead of digested. This can lead to flatulence, more regular bowel movements and diarrhoea. It can also cause bladder pains and breathing troubles - and weight loss doesn't match up to the jabs. About eight in 10 patients suffer at least one side effect when using injections, most commonly tummy upset, according to trials. 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 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. Early data suggests pills might have similar rates. Around six per cent of people taking any of Lilly or Novo Nordisk's pills or injections quit the medicines because of side effects. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Independent Pharmacies Association, says: 'The old generation drugs tended to be uncomfortable for a lot of people whereas these new ones are much more effective. 'All medicines will have side effects but the fact that the results are much better now means people are more willing to endure them.' Prof Donnelly said he still does not expect new tablets to be as strong as jabs, adding: 'I don't think anybody believes these will cause the same level of weight loss that you might be reporting with Mounjaro. 'The flipside of that is that major weight loss might not all be good. 'Some of that might be muscle and if you lose 30 per cent of your body weight that is a fairly major transformation. 'Having an oral agent that reduces your weight by, say, 10 or 15 per cent, might actually be more sustainable, better tolerated and medically safer in some respects.' While the GLP-1 tablets are likely to be first to market, inventors are also working on a daily pill that mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery. 'GASTRIC BYPASS' PILL US company Syntis Bio's offering, named Synt-101 creates a 24-hour lining in the gut that means food cannot be absorbed in the top six inches of the small intestine. Rather, digestion is redirected to the lower areas of the gut, where hormones that tell the brain we are full, are triggered faster. Working in a similar vein to surgery, it means patients feel fuller faster - and the lining is passed when the patient goes to the loo the next day. Synt-101 has passed its first human safety tests and is expected to enter a full-scale clinical trial next year. Another pill in development, Sirona, is made by UK-based Oxford Medical Products, and contains a 'dual polymer hydrogel' that expands in the stomach when it comes into contact with water. It works like a gastric balloon, filling the patient's tummy making them feel full for hours, but is passed in their stools 'several days' later. Early data from an NHS trial found patients lost 10 to 12 per cent in a year of treatment and there were no serious side effects. Experts believe weight loss pills will serve a variety of purposes - as a follow-on treatment after stopping fat jabs, as an option for those who can't or don't want to use jabs and for people with less severe obesity, and less weight to lose. There are hopes they will be less toxic than injections, which often cause side effects like stomach aches, vomiting or diarrhoea. Weight regain after treatment is also an emerging issue with the jabs, which can currently only be prescribed for up to two years in the UK. Rahul Dhanda, chief executive of Syntis Bio, said: 'Patients don't want to be stuck on a revolving door of injections and their side effects; they want to be on a manageable and sustainable weight loss path. 'Oral drugs that are simple, tolerable and safe will be the rational choice for maintenance therapy.'
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Forget fat jabs! The 6 simple ‘Nozempic' diet anchors that will make a big difference to your weight loss goals
A super-tasty spice sprinkled on your breakfast and only doing the chores at a specific time each day - the hacks that prove losing weight doesn't always come down to restricting food FLAB FREE Forget fat jabs! The 6 simple 'Nozempic' diet anchors that will make a big difference to your weight loss goals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOES it feel like you've tried everything in your quest to lose those final pounds? While the world is obsessed with Ozempic-like fat jabs, not everyone wants to resort to injecting drugs to shed weight. But what's the answer when all the fad diets have failed? 4 Not a fan of the idea of injecting yourself to lose weight? There are all sorts of drawbacks of jabs to consider Credit: Alamy 4 Fat jabs aren't the only way to lose weight quickly Credit: Alamy As a nutritionist with over a decade of experience, I've seen it all from quick fixes to restrictive plans that rarely deliver long-lasting results. I'm not alone - most professionals in this space would agree that rigid diets don't work long-term. But here's what does…. Rethinking your approach to weight loss and health by focusing on sustainable habits known as diet 'anchors'. Anchors are a common concept that many wellness experts (myself included) use with our clients. Think of them as an antidote to fad diets that don't hold up over time. Like the name suggests, these fundamental vows help keep you grounded and consistent. They are easy to weave into your daily routine, making them sustainable, unlike rigid rules that come with most diets. They become so ingrained that they become natural, which is the key to success. Many of my clients come in thinking they need to overhaul their diet overnight, but when it comes to health, it's actually the small, steady shifts that have the biggest impact. So if you're fed up of complicated calorie counting, are struggling with flagging energy levels or can't seem to stick to the new gym routine, try implementing these tried and tested non-negotiable rules to flip the weight loss switch… 1. BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS It may be the first thing you eat, but breakfast sets the tone for the whole day. The food choices you make have an impact on your blood sugar levels. Slurping a bowl of milky cereal or a chowing a syrupy stack of pancakes might hit your sweet spot, but sugary breakfasts send your blood sugar levels on a rollercoaster. What this means, is that after they spike your blood sugar, you soon experience a crash. It results in a mid-morning energy dip and cravings for the biscuit tin come 10am. Make sure your breakfast choices lean more towards savoury, protein-rich meals to feel fuller for longer with no nasty blood glucose crashes. Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs Protein takes more energy to digest than fat or carbohydrates, which means it slightly increases calorie burn, whilst keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Panfried mushrooms with melted cheese on toast, anchovy and tomato bruschetta or eggs cooked shakshuka style are a protein-fuelled start to the day. But if you're limited on time, or on-the-go, try: Boil a couple of eggs the night before and serve with salad leaves or wholemeal toast. Make a veggie frittata which can be eaten cold. Whizz together a bowl of fruity overnight oats. Pop some oats in a mason jar and cover with milk. In the morning, add a sprinkling of seeds (which are high in plant-based protein), your favourite fruit and a drizzle of honey. Combine plain Greek yoghurt with berries and top with mixed nuts or chia seeds. Nibble a protein bar with a piece of low-sugar fruit such as an apple or pear. 4 Eggs are a great protein source to eat at breakfast. You can cook them in the morning, or cook a frittata to eat cold at work Credit: Getty 2. COLOUR, NOT QUANTITY Variety is the spice of life, so if you're eating the same foods day after day you'll hit a boredom wall and risk nutritional deficiencies. To avoid this food rut, rotate the colours on your plate, aiming for a total of nine different shades every day. This is easier than it sounds, and the simplest way is to aim for three different vegetables at each meal. For example, sneak diced courgette and colourful peppers into bolognese sauces, make use of frozen bagged vegetables into casseroles and soups and add a side salad to your lunch. When you lose inspiration, find new recipes on social media; it's saturated with accounts showing how to make meals that hit all the spots; healthy, delicious, cheap and quick. Try doubling up on everything you make for a week or two, so that you can freeze portions. That way you always have a healthy meal when you're in a hurry. 8 simple swaps to boost your fibre intake Feel fuller for longer and support your digestion - both helpful for weight loss - with more fibre. SWAP: White pasta for whole wheat pasta White bread for wholemeal or seeded bread White rice for brown rice or quinoa Potato crisps for popcorn (air-popped) Breakfast cereals for oats or whole-grain cereals Snack bars for Vegetable sticks with hummus Fruit juice for whole fruit Mashed white potatoes for mashed sweet potatoes or parsnips 3. UP AND OUT Kicking back on the sofa and flicking on Netflix might be your current go-to after dinner, but gentle exercise after eating is a science-backed no-brainer weight loss hack that us nutritionists swear by. A short walk within a 60-minute window of finishing your meal can help with weight loss as well as ward off disease. It makes all the difference in how your body absorbs carbohydrates. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine showed that 20 minutes of walking straight after eating helped muscle cells use glucose more efficiently from the bloodstream which reduces insulin demand and boosts weight loss. No time to walk, or stuck at the house? Pace up and down the stairs - set a goal and see if you can increase how many flights you can do over time - or get some chores done around the house. 4. SPICE AND NICE Lots of us have to make a conscious effort to cook things from scratch. It's easier to grab ready-to-eat meals for the family, but this is certainly not the best way to lose weight. If there's one thing you can do to liven up meals that you're cooking from scratch - and keep your diet on track - it's adding flavour. So, include at least one herb or spice at each meal. From adding blood-sugar balancing cinnamon to porridge, topping green smoothies with anti-inflammatory golden turmeric and being extra liberal with herbs like sage, basil and parsley in pasta sauces, getting in the habit of seasoning will help to elevate your meals both in taste and nutrition. 4 Cinnamon is a great alternative to sugar for porridge or yoghurt - and it helps to keep blood sugar levels balanced Credit: Getty You can use dried herbs and spices or buy fresh. To keep costs down and wastage low, you can now buy pre-chopped herbs, as well as onions and garlic, in the frozen section. Want to take it one step further? Create your own little herb garden on a sunny windowsill. Basil, thyme and mint are all super-easy varieties to grow at home. 5. SELF-WORTH REIGNS Sustaining motivation to workout and eat well can be difficult at the best of times, but anchoring your thoughts to your goals is the best way to keep your get-up-and-go firing. Keep in mind that success is about consistency, and it's those small wins that add up over time. Mantras can help to reinforce your diet choices, so put pen to paper and make up a few that resonate with your goals. Some of my personal favourites include 'your choices today build results tomorrow', and 'nothing changes unless you change it'. Self-worth can often shatter on fad diets, but with diet anchors you feel shaped by your positive health choices, so when you do smash one of your micro goals, be kind to yourself. Even something simple like getting your nails done, or pampering yourself with a candlelit bath, can help to keep motivation high. And if you do fall off the wagon? Don't beat yourself up for it, every day is a new day with new possibilities to better your health. 6. PLATE ART Learning to become meticulous about how you organise your plate is a simple yet powerful anchor that can help to speed up weight loss, and keep those stubborn pounds off. To build the perfect plate, it's important to re-think the way you serve your food; Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and peppers as these are high in fibre and contain a hefty dose of nutrients. Next, dedicate one quarter to protein - this includes foods like eggs, poultry, red meat or tofu to help support muscle health and promote fullness. Finally, split the remaining quarter between healthy fats, (including avocado, nuts, and seeds), along with complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, wholemeal pasta or sweet potato as these help to sustain energy whilst providing essential nutrients. The order in which you eat your food can also make a difference to weight loss - it's a concept called 'food sequencing' and can help to improve your body's insulin response to food. To practice food sequencing, eat your non-starchy veg first, followed by your protein and healthy fat sources. Save your carbs until last to help minimise blood sugar spikes and aid fullness. Louise Pyne is a registered nutritionist. Find her at and on Instagram @loulou_nutrition.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Ozempic-like fat jabs to be available on NHS at high street pharmacies WITHOUT having to see a GP
Once the deal is signed, Brits could walk into a pharmacy, have a quick check-up, and walk out with a month's supply - all for just £9.90 JAB ALERT Ozempic-like fat jabs to be available on NHS at high street pharmacies WITHOUT having to see a GP BRITS could soon be able to get Ozempic-style fat jabs from high street pharmacies, according to reports. Drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro will be available over the counter after a short consultation at the cost of an NHS prescription, they claim. Advertisement 2 Pharmacists might soon be able to dish out fat jabs on the NHS Credit: Getty 2 This means drugs like Wegovy might soon be easier to get Credit: Reuters Right now, only a few can get their hands on the powerful jabs – and only after speaking to a doctor and trying other weight-loss methods first. Ministers are planning to massively widen access to the jabs through "creative" routes. This includes rolling them out in high street chemists, health centres and apps, according to the Daily Mail. The shake-up could slash wait times, making it far easier for eligible Brits to get the drug, To get the drug currently, people have to get referred by a GP to a specialist weight loss clinic, with some currently stuck in a two-year queue. Advertisement Once the deal is signed, Brits could walk into a pharmacy, have a quick check-up, and walk out with a month's supply - all for just £9.90, the same as an NHS prescription. That's a lot cheaper than paying £150 a month to get the injections privately, which are currently available from some pharmacies. But experts have called the reports speculative, warning that obesity drugs should only be used under medical supervision and by those who are eligible. A government spokesperson told Sky News: "As the government shifts the NHS from sickness to prevention, we will be looking across the board at how these drugs can be made available to more people who can benefit from them. Advertisement "The NHS is already tackling obesity in innovative ways, including through community care models and digital technologies, to help deliver these drugs as part of a rounded package of care." Earlier estimates from NICE suggest that around 3.4 million people in England could benefit from weight loss injections But last December, NICE said only 220,000 patients would be able to get the jabs on the NHS in the first three years, meaning millions could face waits of up to 12 years for treatment. Julia Hartley-Brewer slams government plan for NHS to offer free 'fat jabs' to tackle obesity crisis The drugs work by mimicking hormones that make you feel full, squashing your appetite so you eat fewer calories and lose weight rapidly. Advertisement In clinical trials, people taking Wegovy lost 15 per cent to 20 per cent of their body weight. They've also been shown to cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But experts have warned about serious side effects too, including stomach paralysis, pancreas inflammation, and even vision loss. In February, The Sun revealed that 82 Brits have died after using weight-loss and diabetes jabs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. The details of why they died were not shared. Advertisement It comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) prepares to officially endorse weight-loss drugs to tackle obesity in adults for the first time.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmakers debate having Ozempic covered by Medicaid
(WHTM) — Budget hearings are over at the State Capitol, but one particular expense involving a popular weight loss drug has caught the eye of Pennsylvania lawmakers. The popular weight loss drug Ozempic and similar drugs have been the talk of the Pennsylvania Capitol recently. The topic came up during appropriations hearings with the Department of Human Services. Does Ozempic work for long-term weight loss? New study says yes The Department of Human Services allows Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs to be given to both people with diabetes and people looking to lose weight. Pennsylvania is 1 of 14 states that allow it to be used for weight loss only. While there isn't much data to prove it saves money in the long run, it certainly costs a lot. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The Governor's budget says the Department of Human Services will spend $1.2 billion on Ozempic-like drugs for Medicaid patients next year, and some lawmakers are questioning what should be covered under a government safety net program. Senator Scott Martin (R-Lancaster), the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, said using Ozempic-like drugs for strictly weight loss purposes isn't necessarily fair to taxpayers if it's that costly. 'Using it as a means for just run of the mill 'I want to lose some weight' and if it's that costly, I don't think that's necessarily fair to the taxpaying Pennsylvanians,' said Martin. 'And certainly, I'm sure some of their private insurance plans don't cover the same.' Some Democrats feel differently about providing the medication at tax-payer cost. 'What I think is unfair is for folks to dictate what kind of medication folks should be able to take and not take,' said Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia). 'I think it is also unfair for folks who get to benefit from the medication themselves, from their health care, to then say that other people don't deserve the same type of quality health care.' The Department of Human Services is the biggest spender of state budget dollars. Shapiro proposed a $51 billion budget, of which the DHS would get $21 billion. Secretary Val Arkoosh said the Department would take a closer look at the use of these drugs for obesity during last week's hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The National
05-02-2025
- Health
- The National
Affordable obesity drugs could bring seismic shift to health care, conference hears
Health Doctors back Ozempic-like drugs for wider health improvements at Global Healthspan Summit in Riyadh
