Latest news with #fatjabs
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Third of young people want fat jabs as demand spirals
A third of young adults want to take fat jabs amid a surge in demand for the drugs, pharmacists have said. One in five people say they have tried to access a pharmacy weight-loss treatment in the past year but this figure is 35 per cent for those aged between 16 and 34. Pharmacists have raised the alarm that demand has far exceeded what can be clinically delivered. Concerns have also been raised that people could resort to looking for drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro from online sellers. Current guidelines state that patients being prescribed Mounjaro and Wegovy through pharmacies need a BMI of at least 35 and at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as diabetes, to be eligible. Wegovy can also be prescribed to patients with a BMI of 30–34 who meet the criteria for referral to specialist overweight and obesity management services. However, the NHS is only rolling out Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four co-morbidities. It spent £269million on fat jabs in 2024-2025 and prescriptions doubled to almost three million a year. Mounjaro, regarded as the strongest jab and known as King Kong, has driven the spike in prescriptions with 1.1million given out in a year compared with 3,300 in the previous 12 months. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents about 6,000 pharmacies, surveyed 2,000 Britons and found evidence of demand beyond what the NHS can offer. It is now seeking greater clarity on how pharmacies will be further involved in the distribution of weight-loss medication, something laid out in the Government's recent 10 Year Health Plan. Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, said: 'Weight-loss jabs are one of the biggest drug innovations this century but growing demand highlights the need to make sure this is appropriate for those who want it. 'It's clear from this polling that many more people are interested in getting weight-loss jabs than would actually be suitable for treatment. 'We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit from medication. 'We're also urging the Government to bring forward plans to include pharmacies in the rollout of their NHS weight-management programme. 'Pharmacists are experts in medication and many have extensive experience delivering weight-loss injections as part of a package of care including lifestyle advice. 'Pharmacies are well placed to help roll this treatment out on the NHS and help people make the best use of these powerful medicines,' he added
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Warning fat jab supplies could run out as demand surges with 1 in 5 people trying to buy them last year
FAT jab supplies could run out — with one in five people trying to buy them last year. Pharmacists warn that ballooning demand 'goes far beyond what is clinically deliverable'. Millions of Brits are thought to be using fat-busting jabs such as Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic. A poll for the National Pharmacy Association found one in five people, 21 per cent, attempted to buy a fat jab from a pharmacy in the past year. The figure shoots up to 35 per cent among 25 to 34-year-olds. NPA chairman Olivier Picard said: 'It's clear from this polling that many more people are interested in getting weight-loss jabs than would actually be suitable for treatment. ' Weight-loss jabs are one of the biggest drug innovations this century but we want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most need can benefit. 'We're also urging the Government to bring forward plans to include pharmacies in the roll-out of their NHS weight management programme.' The NHS has increased its roll-out of fat jabs by offering Mounjaro through GP practices, but only 220,000 people are likely to get it by 2028. It could take 12 years to reach everyone who is eligible, so millions are expected to buy them privately. But experts fear such strict access will drive patients to dodgy online sellers who put their health at risk. The poll also found 41 per cent said they would get the jabs on the NHS if they could, even if they were not obese. Watch Ellen's weight loss journey on fat jabs Rules on online prescribing have been tightened to prevent people pretending to be heavier than they are to quality. The injections cause the body to burn fat by turning off hunger signals and stopping you eating. Prescriptions in England for Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy rocketed from 1.4million in 2023-24 to 2.7million last year.
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mounjaro users discover ‘very easy' mistake that's stopping them from losing weight – as experts reveal simple fix
THEY have taken the nation's waistlines by storm, helping thousands shed pounds and trim inches. So-called fat jabs have been dubbed a "miracle" - helping turn the tide on the obesity epidemic. But, users of one jab - dubbed the 'King Kong' of weight-loss medications - have reported an alarming mistake that is stopping them from reaping the fat-blasting benefits of the new drug. Annabelle Welch, an aesthetics practitioner in Sevenoaks, Kent, said she has witnessed clients on Mounjaro stop losing weight - and suspects it is because they are eating too little. Annabelle said, in a video shared to TikTok: "If you're not fuelling your body with enough calories day to day your metabolic rate will drop, and your body will begin conserving fat rather than burning it. The clip, which at the time of publishing has been viewed by over 400,000 people, attracted hundreds of comments from social media users, some of whom also claim to have stopped losing weight on the drugs. One commenter, who admitted to eating just one meal a day, wrote: "I've been on it for six weeks and I've lost no weight." Mounjaro is often referred to as the ' King Kong" of fat jabs because of its strong appetite-suppressing effects and impressive weight loss results - typically helping users shed 20 per cent of their body weight, compared to 13.7 per cent for Wegovy users. It is prescribed mainly for people with type 2 diabetes or those with a high BMI trying to lose weight under medical supervision. Though Annabelle isn't a prescriber, her experience reflects what some experts are now warning about. They say that extreme calorie cutting while on weight loss injections can cause the body to go into 'emergency conservation' mode. Dr David Huang, director of clinical innovation at weight loss service Voy, tells Sun Health: 'If a person becomes extremely malnourished, their body goes into an emergency conservation state where their metabolism is slowed down to the extent that weight loss may plateau. "It also makes the weight loss very unsustainable in the long term, and there can be a bounce-back effect when patients re-feed.' GP-approved tips to really lose weight safely - and keep it off This means if you eat too little for too long, your body will slow down the number of calories it burns, holding onto fat to conserve energy - which can stop weight loss. It means that when you start eating normally again, the weight can pile back on quickly. "The purpose of the jabs is to lose weight healthily and sustainably," Dr David says. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. 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. "The goal is not starvation, which can have negative effects on brain, bone, muscles and long-term health." "These meds help suppress appetite, but also seem to reconfigure the brain to avoid unhealthy habits and prioritise better foods." Restrictive diets can worsen side effects TO avoid this, Dr David recommends calculating daily calorie needs using a BMR calculator, then reducing that number by 600 to 800 calories. This method uses your weight, height, and gender to set a moderate calorie deficit, helping you lose weight safely without triggering your body's emergency conservation mode. But rather than focus solely on calories, he urges patients to prioritise nutritional intake, especially: Protein: at least 1.2g per kilo of body weight Fibre Micronutrients such as Vitamin D, B12, Folate, and Calcium Guidance from ZAVA, a regulated online health provider, also recommends a 600-calorie daily deficit for patients taking Mounjaro - in line with NHS weight loss advice. They warn that overly restrictive diets can worsen side effects, such as bloating and indigestion, and stall results. Instead, people on the jab are encouraged to eat nutrient-dense meals, avoid spicy or fizzy foods that can irritate the stomach, and consider adding probiotics like yoghurt or kefir to support digestion. Other simple habits, like taking a 10-minute walk after meals and staying well-hydrated, can also help Mounjaro users get better results from their treatment. What to eat on Mounjaro It's not just about consuming fewer calories, it's about eating the right kinds of foods to ensure that you're nourishing your body properly Building a healthy relationship with foods rich in nutrients is key to sustainable weight loss and management. A restrictive diet is not recommended on Mounjaro. In the early stages of treatment, it is strongly advised to nourish your body with nutrient-dense meals so that you receive the essential energy sources you need at a time of lifestyle adjustment. Breakfast: Avocado and poached eggs on rye bread or sourdough toast, blueberry and banana smoothie, easy overnight oats Lunch: Chicken salad, falafel with crunchy vegetables served in a wholemeal pitta, hearty vegetable and lentil soup Dinner: Salmon and broccoli pasta Snacks: Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, low-fat Greek-style yoghurt or kefir (fermented dairy drink packed with probiotics) Source: ZAVA
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Warning to fat jabs users as patients start pilling on pounds after treatment stops, research shows
PEOPLE on weight-loss jabs start piling the flab back on just two months after they stop taking them, research shows. The drugs work well for those who have failed other methods or are very large. However, the hunger signals they block can start up again once the treatment ends. A review of 11 studies covering more than 2,000 slimmers found they kept the weight off for at least four weeks after stopping, but started putting it back on by the eight-week mark. And their weight gain tended to continue for five months before it stabilised. Patients who took popular fat jab Mounjaro regained almost half the weight they had lost while on the drug. Study author Dr Xiaoling Cai, from Peking University People's Hospital in China, said: 'Weight regain is common, so it is necessary to establish long-term anti-obesity treatment.' Katherine Jenner, director of Britain's Obesity Health Alliance, said: 'This underlines why we can't medicate ourselves out of the obesity crisis. "Without tackling the root causes, people are left swimming against the tide.' A separate study at Oxford University suggested many fat jab patients regain all the weight they lose within two years of stopping medication. NHS prescriptions for jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro hit 2.7million in England last year — and more people are buying privately, potentially missing out on diet and lifestyle advice. I've lost nearly 6 stone in 9 months on fat jabs - trolls call me 'lazy' & say it's the 'easy way out' but I don't care 1
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE REVEALED: Weight loss injections now linked to FIVE deaths in Scotland
Fat jabs have been linked to the deaths of five people in Scotland, including one reported to watchdogs this year. The prescription-only drugs, originally developed to suppress appetite among obese patients with type 2 diabetes, have become popular as a quick fix for people looking to lose weight. However, health watchdogs have received hundreds of reports from people who have become ill after taking them. In March, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) disclosed it had been notified 361 times since January last year of patients in Scotland who have suffered illness after taking the drugs. MailOnline recently reported that 12 Scots were taken to A&E between April 2023 and August 2024 with complications from weight loss injections in the same health board area where Britain's first fat jab victim died. Now, the watchdog has revealed details of the most serious cases linked to the drugs in Scotland, stating it has received five reports of fatalities. Three reports concerned patients using the medications for weight loss alone while a fourth patient had prescriptions to treat diabetes. Details of the fifth reported fatality were not provided. Nurse Susan McGowan became the first person in the UK whose death was directly linked to a weight-loss jab. She died at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie last September. The 58-year-old suffered organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis after taking two jabs of 'prescribed tirzepatide', sold under the brand name Mounjaro. Dr Samantha Robson, a GP working in weight management, said it is important not to draw conclusions on the deaths without clear clinical context. She said the drugs can be 'transformational medications when used correctly, for the right patients, with the right support', but added that there are instances of people taking them improperly. She said: 'Many patients are accessing these medications privately—through clinics, prescribers, and worryingly, through unregulated online pharmacies and social media.' Dr Robson is the medical director of Temple Clinic in Aberdeen, which prescribes GLP-1 medications 'under strict medical supervision and with intensive support'. However, she said it is alarmingly easy for people to obtain them without proper assessment, supervision or education. 'I am aware of cases where patients with a history of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, are lying about their weight and health to access these drugs purely to suppress appetite and further restrict their intake. This is deeply dangerous. 'There are also growing reports of counterfeit medications being sold online—products that may be contaminated, contain no active ingredient, or in some cases may be resold used pens from patients who stopped the medication but are hoping to recoup some cost.' She added: 'These medications are not inherently dangerous — but unsupervised, unregulated use absolutely is. And if we continue to allow them to be used like crash diets in injectable form, the current headlines will be the tip of the iceberg. This is not just a public health issue — it's an ethical one.' MailOnline has previously revealed that black market seizures in Scotland of potentially dangerous weight loss drugs have soared. The MHRA is investigating whether a genetic trait puts some patients at greater risk of side effects. Dr Alison Cave, its chief safety officer, said: 'Patient safety is our top priority and no medicine would be approved unless it met our expected standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. 'On the basis of the current evidence, the benefits of GLP-1 medicines outweigh the potential risks when used for the licensed indications. The decision to start, continue or stop treatments should be made jointly by patients and their doctor, based on full consideration of the benefits and risks.'
