Latest news with #slimmers
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Mounjaro users panic over massive price hikes - experts reveal how to keep using weight loss jabs... for less
Mounjaro manufacturer Lilly sparked panic among slimmers yesterday after revealing it would more than double the price of the drug in the UK. The US pharmaceutical giant announced the cost would soar from September 1, with the wholesale price of a month's supply of the highest dose rising from £122 to £330. Lilly claimed it had initially launched Mounjaro in the UK at a price 'significantly below the European average to prevent delays in NHS availability' but that this must now change 'to ensure fair global contributions to the cost of innovation'. The announcement, however, does not affect the price the NHS pays, as the service has negotiated a heavily discounted rate for those getting the drug on prescription. But there are thought to be around 1.5 million people on weight loss drugs in the UK with more than half of them on Mounjaro—and estimates suggest nine in 10 pay for these drugs privately. Users flocked to social media warning denouncing the move, worried they were now left with no option but to come off the 'life changing' jab. 'I have no one to talk to about this and I'm freaking out,' one wrote on Reddit. 'Call it dramatic but I just cannot afford this, and this med is my only lifeline right now. I'm absolutely devastated. I don't know what to do.' Mounjaro price increases Mounjaro®▼ (tirzepatide) KwikPen® Dose Current UK List Price New UK List Price (From September) 2.5mg £92 £133 5mg £92 £180 7.5mg £107 £255 10mg £107 £255 12.5mg £122 £330 15mg £122 £330 Another said: 'I'm totally freaking out about it! I'm only about to go onto my 2nd pen now. The black market is going to be even more rife than ever due to this, fuming.' The main concern among slimmers is regaining weight after being forced to stop Mounjaro. Evidence suggests currently only around 2 to 10 per cent of people keep all their lost weight off if they stop taking the jabs, known collectively as GLP-1s. So is it possible to still access Mounjaro at a similar price? And crucially, what are options if you want to stay on the jabs but can't afford to? With the help of a team of experts, we explain everything you need to know about how to keep using weight loss jabs, for less... I already pay for Mounjaro privately - can I now get it on the NHS? Not necessarily. Only those who hit the body mass index (BMI) threshold set by the NHS may be prescribed weight-loss jabs. Patients must have a BMI of at least 40—severely obese—as well as four obesity-related conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, heart disease, osteoarthritis or diabetes. Next year, those with a BMI of over 35, along with four obesity-related conditions, will be offered the jabs. Then, in September 2026, those with a BMI of over 40 and just three related conditions will be able to access them on the NHS. Private clinics, however, can offer Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 30 or 27 if they also have at least one weight-related condition. 'There are lots of patients paying privately who want to switch to NHS treatment,' says Oxford GP Dr Helen Salisbury, 'but that won't happen overnight.' If I qualify for Mounjaro on the NHS, what are my next steps? Eligible patients need to make an appointment with their GP, which will likely be face-to-face in an effort to combat 'potential misuse'. The GP will assess medical records and, if necessary, contact other doctors who have recently treated the patient, to make sure they are a suitable candidate for treatment. If the prescription is approved, then patients will initially need to have monthly face-to-face appointments with a 'suitably trained healthcare professional', such as a nurse and monitored for potential side effects. GPs need to regularly review the patient's prescription, taking into account their BMI, comorbidities, side effects, and mental health, for at least the first year of treatment and possibly longer. I'm not eligible but can't afford to stay on Mounjaro from September—what are my options? Thousands of Mounjaro users could face a situation by the end of the month where they cannot afford to continue taking Mounjaro. But experts say it is possible to switch medication and begin a new weight loss jab. Thorrun Govind, a TV pharmacist and former chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, told the Daily Mail: 'Patients can ask their provider to switch and a decision will then be taken together.' Toby Nicol, CEO at private weight loss jab provider CheqUp, meanwhile said: 'A huge number of people will be considering switching and it's important that they know that this is absolutely possible. 'Wegovy is now a much more affordable option and is also clinically proven as a highly effective drug. 'We don't want anyone to be priced out and think they have to take something which is unsafe. 'Do not buy from the cowboys. If the price is to good to be true, it probably is.' Experts, however, have warned against trying to 'microdose' remaining Mounjaro pens in an effort to prolong the drug and save money. The term, refers to counting clicks on pre–filled Mounjaro pens to deliver less than the prescribed dose—or even breaking them open. 'People are risking serious side effects from overdosing, as well as the potential for life–threatening infection,' said Professor Alex Miras, an endocrinologist at Ulster University. 'We cannot endorse it.' He added: 'Not only is contamination a risk, but it also reduces the effectiveness of the medication.' So which jab should I switch to? Pharmacists have said Wegovy is the most likely option. The drug, which contains the ingredient semaglutide, is made by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk. Kevin Joshua, the clinical lead at Juniper, an online pharmacy selling weight-loss jabs, said: 'For many, the pragmatic move is to switch to Wegovy—proven outcomes, a cardiovascular risk‑reduction indication in people living with overweight or obesity, and more predictable private costs.' Clinical trials have shown Mounjaro is the most effective of all the injections, with average weight loss of 20 per cent over 72 weeks. By comparison, Wegovy achieved average weight loss of around 14 per cent. Experts suggest this is because Wegovy mimics one hormone released by the body after a meal, to flip one appetite switch in the brain. Mounjaro, meanwhile, flips two. How can I make the switch safely? Given the two jabs contain different ingredients, how well the body tolerates them may differ. As with any medication, patients may need to adjust to the side effects of a new medicine. Dr Suhail Hussain, a GP for private online clinic Doctify, said: 'Mounjaro tends to be better tolerated in terms of gastrointestinal side effects than Wegovy, so patients may experience more nausea or vomiting.' Other common side effects of beginning a new GLP-1 medication includes nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and headaches. Ms Govind told Daily Mail that one way patients may make the switch is by 'taking your next semaglutide dose one week after your last Mounjaro injection, effectively replacing it without a break'. She added: 'This avoids a "hunger rebound" that can happen if you leave a long gap. 'There is no direct dose conversion between tirzepatide and semaglutide. So you might switch to a low dose semaglutide and then go up in dose.' Should I come off Mounjaro completely first before starting a new medication? Experts have repeatedly warned against completely stopping taking weight loss jabs suddenly over fears of side effects such as body aches, as well as regaining the weight lost on the drug. But according to pharmacists, patients must first completely come off Mounjaro before switching to a new jab, such as Wegovy. This is because the GLP-1 jabs affect the same hormones and could 'massively increase the risk of side effects', Ms Govind told the Daily Mail. There is also not clear long term evidence yet on the long term issues this could cause, she added. 'For patients who are currently on Mounjaro, it may require a period of abstinence of several weeks before switching on an alternative,' Dr Leyla Hannbeck also told the Daily Mail. 'Your pharmacist will be able to advise you on the switch.' Ms Govind added: 'Typically it's seven days between the last tirzepatide and the first semaglutide dose. 'But it depends on the side effects that the patient has experienced and their tolerability to those side effects.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Your ultimate guide to beat the Mounjaro price hike – from switching jabs to getting them FREE on the NHS
THE price of Mounjaro is set to soar, The Sun revealed yesterday - leaving slimmers desperate and worried at how they will afford the 'life-changing' drug. With the price hike looming on September 1, we reveal how to dodge the spiralling bills, getting your jabs for cheaper - or even free on the NHS - as well as the different side effects to be wary of. 2 The NHS has been giving Mounjaro prescriptions within GP practices since June. Private pharmacies boast 'no GP referral needed', with tantalising prices drawing in an estimated one million paying customers. Costs vary depending on the provider, jab and dosage, but are currently between around £120 and £220 per month. But that's all set to change, as the US-based maker of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, told The Sun it will be increasing charges in Britain to 'address inconsistencies' with prices it commands from other western countries. The price the pharma giant charges pharmacies for a mid-range 5mg dose will nearly double from £92 to £180 from September 1. The maximum available dose, 15mg, will rise from £122 to £330. Eli Lilly claimed to have negotiated with big private suppliers to ensure the whole price increase is not passed on to patients - but with pharmacies already marking up jab prices, the public can expect to see the cost increase. It marks a huge blow for those for whom the jab offers a life-saving way out of obesity. The hefty price would affect those currently on the jabs, as well as those who had hoped to pay for them long-term to avoid weight regain. Toby Nicol, CEO at CheqUp, which has around 50,000 customers on weight loss jabs, said: 'This news will be disappointing for those who have achieved life-changing results with Mounjaro. 'This is particularly the case for those on higher doses who will likely see substantial rises in price." Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons Mounjaro has been dubbed the 'King Kong' of fat jabs because its success tops other brands, including Wegovy (also called Ozempic for type 2 diabetes), and Saxenda. Now, with people considering switching to Wegvoy, some providers appear to have hiked prices of the alternative jab that's similar to Ozempic, in response to the update. Mr Nicol, who says they have reduced the price of Wegovy on CheqUp, says: "Wegovy is a brilliant drug and that's why we don't want anyone to be priced out and think they have to take something which is unsafe. "Do not buy from the cowboys. If the price is to good to be true, it probably is." Dr Ralph Abraham, a diabetes and endocrinology specialist verified on Doctify, a healthcare review platform, says: 'There is no problem in switching from one drug to another. 'But in a world where the drugs are often not prescribed by experienced doctors, it then becomes difficult to know where side effects might lie.' Here, we answer the worries of readers and address how this could influence weight loss jabs and their success. CAN I SWITCH TO WEGOVY? IT depends who you ask. Mr Nicol says: "It's clinically acceptable to go from Mounjaro to Wegovy. We are developing our own switching plan. 'While Mounjaro remains the most effective treatment available, Wegovy is a more affordable option and is also clinically proven as a highly effective weight loss drug that has delivered incredible results for people who are on a weight loss journey. 'We are ready and able to provide advice to those who are looking to switch.' But Dr Suhail Hussain, a private GP verified on Doctify, believes this is likely to affect weight loss. 'There is no direct dose equivalent, so swapping between drugs is not possible,' he says. Wegovy is prescribed between 0.25mg and 2.4mg, while Mounjaro has doses between 2.5mg and 15mg. Dr Hussain said: 'The weight loss drugs are generally started at the lowest dose and titrated up. 'So if you were on mid-strength Mounjaro you would have to go onto the lowest strength Wegovy. 'There may also need to be a 'wash out' period to wean off one on to the other - which will again have impact on results." But Mr Nicol says: "It doesn't feel right to do that, it's like a game of snakes and ladders. "We'd be saying to people, for example, on 7.5mg of Mounjaro, that they shuold be transferring over to 1.7mg of Wegovy." Patients should receive clinically appropriate care, under supervision, that aligns with their individual health needs and personal circumstances, experts said. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SWITCHING TO WEGOVY? A USER would also need to adjust to the side effects of a new medicine. While these are relatively the same for either jab, there are slight differences. 'Mounjaro tends to be better tolerated in terms of GI side effects than Weygovy, so you may experience more nausea or vomiting etc,' says Dr Hussain. The 'very common' side effects of both Mounjaro and Wegovy are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation, according to Asda Online Doctor. But Wegovy also says headache, stomach pain and feeling weak or tired are very common. WILL I LOSE AS MUCH WEIGHT ON WEGOVY? THE active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, while in Mounjaro it is tirzepatide. Both work in a very similar way on the body. Dr Hussain says: 'The two drugs work in a similar way (both are GLP-1 receptor agonists) but have some important differences. 'Mounjaro is a dual GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Wegovy is GLP-1 agonist only. 'Therefore, there may be a difference in impact on appetite suppression and hence subsequent weight loss.' GLP-1 is a natural hormone released in your gut when you eat. By activating GLP-1 receptors, Wegovy helps slow down stomach emptying and control blood sugar levels, helping with fullness and sending a message to the brain to reduce food intake. Mounjaro does this too, but also mimics the hormone GIP, which also plays a role in blood sugar regulation and appetite. It's dual-action may be why Mounjaro is the preferred jab of choice for weight loss. 2 Mounjaro can help you lose around 21 per cent of your body weight, while Wegovy can help you lose 14.9 per cent. In one trial of Mounjaro, the SURMOUNT-1 trial of tirzepatide in non-diabetic patients over 72 weeks, people lost up to 22.5 per cent of their body weight while taking the highest maintenance dose. More than 89 per cent of people lost at least five per cent of their starting weight. STEP-1, a 68-week clinical trial carried out to study the weight loss effects of semaglutide (Wegovy), found that people lost up to 17 per cent of their body weight after taking the 2.4mg maintenance dose. Up to 85 per cent of patients lost at least five per cent of their starting weight. Mr Nicol said: "Mounjaro is a Ferrari, Wegovy is a Porsche, and diet and exercise is a horse and cart." HOW CAN I GET THE JAB CHEAPER? SWITCHING to Wegovy might save you money - if your provider hasn't increased its prices. Below is a box showing the price of the highest dose of Wegovy and Mounjaro - but because the doses are not comparable, it's difficult to also compare their prices. Eli Lilly claimed it is negotiating with providers so that the whole increase is not passed on to patients. Mr Nicol said: 'At CheqUp we are determined to support our patients as best we can – and can announce today that despite these price rises we will not raise prices for those who are on the two lowest doses of Mounjaro. 'We will also not pass on the full cost of the price rise for those on higher doses.' HOW CAN I GET MOUNJARO FREE ON THE NHS? IT was a game-changing moment when the NHS announced it would be prescribing weight loss jabs for free. You need to fit a strict set of criteria to be eligible, but the initial rollout is extremely limited to just 22,000 patients over the next three years. There are 3.4million people in England who would qualify for treatment under the NICE eligibility criteria. The NHS says you'll only be prescribed semaglutide (Wegovy) if you have health problems due to your weight and you have a BMI of either: 35 or more, or 32.5 or more if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin 30 to 34.9, or 27.5 to 32.4 if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin, and you meet other criteria to be treated by a specialist weight management service Only a specialist weight management service can prescribe semaglutide. You may be eligible for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) from a GP if you have: A BMI of 40 or more And have at least four of these weight-related health conditions: type 2 diabetes high blood pressure (hypertension) heart disease (cardiovascular disease) abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia) obstructive sleep apnoea A weight management service or GP can prescribe tirzepatite. CAN I GET AROUND THE POSTCODE LOTTERY? THERE is a 'postcode lottery' of prescription, so whether you can access the drugs depends largely on where you live. Shockingly, as little as eight out of 42 NHS Integrated Health Boards are prescribing the jabs, according to Sky News. Can you get around it? 'No,' says Dr Hussain. The NHS says you can check with your local Integrated Care Board to see if you are eligible for an assessment. Some GP practices have begged patients to stop requesting it from them. For example, a statement from Dr Khan's Practice in Clayton, Manchester, read: 'Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is not currently available anywhere in Greater Manchester, including GP practices, hospitals or specialist weight management services. 'Please do not contact us to request it – you'll be contacted directly if you are eligible when the service becomes available in the area. 'Dr Khans Practice are not prescribing GLP-1 medications for weight loss until a service agreement is in place with Manchester ICB which is currently under review.' The 7 fat jab mistakes stopping you losing weight WHILE weight loss jabs have been hailed as a breakthrough in helping tackle Britain's obesity crisis, some users say they're missing out on their waist-shrinking powers - and it could be down to some simple mistakes... POOR PENMANSHIP Many people don't correctly use the injection pen, according to Ana Carolina Goncalves, a pharmacist at Pharmica in Holborn, London. Make sure to prime your weight loss pen correctly, as per the instructions. If nothing comes out, try again, and if it still doesn't work, switch the needle or ask a pharmacist for help. It's also recommended to rotate injection sites between the abdomen, thigh and upper arm to avoid small lumps of fat under the skin. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE Make sure you're using the jabs on the most effective day of your schedule. For example, taking the jab right before a takeaway or party won't stop you from indulging, says Jason Murphy, head of pharmacy and weight loss expert at Chemist4U. Weight loss injections need time to build up in your system, so if you're planning for a heavier weekend, inject your dose mid-week. MAKING A MEAL OF IT You may not feel the urge to overeat at mealtimes due to the jabs. But skipping meals altogether can backfire, says Dr David Huang, director of clinical innovation at weight loss service Voy. If a person is extremely malnourished, their body goes into emergency conservation mode, where their metabolism slows down. FOOD FOR THOUGHT A key mistake using weight loss jabs is not eating the right foods. As well as cutting out sugary drinks and alcohol, Dr Vishal Aggarwal, Healthium Clinics recommends focusing on your protein intake. DE-HYDRATION STATIONS Dehydration is a common side effect of weight loss injections. But it's important to say hydrated in order for your body to function properly. Dr Crystal Wyllie, GP at Asda Online Doctor, says hydration supports metabolism, digestion, and can reduce side effects like headaches, nausea and constipation. MOVE IT, MOVE IT It can be easy to see the jabs as a quick fix, but stopping exercising altogether is a mistake, says Mital Thakrar, a pharmacist from Well Pharmacy. Exercise helps maintain muscle mass and help shape the body as you lose weight, which may be crucial if you're experiencing excess skin. QUIT IT While there's the tendency to ditch the jabs as soon as you reach your desired weight, stopping them too soon can cause rapid regain. Mr Thakrar recommends building habits like healthier eating during treatment for sustaining results.
The Sun
04-08-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Key diet change can help you lose DOUBLE the weight – and it's not about counting calories
HOME cooking could help you lose weight twice as fast, according to a study. Research by University College London found that slimmers fared better if they ate unprocessed meals compared to shop-bought food. 1 They lost more weight even if the foods were matched for calories, fat and sugar. For example, participants eating porridge and home-made spaghetti bolognese slimmed faster than those who ate shop-bought oat bars and lasagna ready meals. People on the balanced but processed diet lost 1.05 per cent of their body weight in two months. Meanwhile those eating similar but non-processed versions of the foods lost 2.06 per cent in the same time – twice as much. The difference was equal to eating 170 fewer calories per day, and could lead to even more weight loss over a longer period. The results suggest the way foods are processed makes them less healthy, even when they look like normal meals. Brits rely heavily on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as they make up around two thirds of our daily diet. They include most packaged foods that come ready-made, such as crisps, chocolate, biscuits, ready meals and breakfast cereals and bars. Minimally processed foods are those that have to be made but can be bought plain, such as pasta, rice and milk. Unprocessed foods include fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and unflavoured nuts. Popular low cost snack that can help you lose weight and improve your heart health Senior study author Professor Rachel Batterham said: 'The best advice to people would be to moderate overall energy intake and limit intake of salt, sugar and saturated fat, while prioritising high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, pulses and nuts. 'Choosing less processed options such as whole foods and cooking from scratch, rather than ultra-processed, packaged foods or ready meals, is likely to offer additional benefits.' Writing in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers said people eating less processed food also experienced fewer cravings. How ultra processed is YOUR kitchen? Ultra processed foods (UPFs) were defined by Brazilian researchers who made the NOVA classification system. It breaks foods into groups depending on how processed they are. The most natural foods are in group 1, while the most processed are in group 4. The groups do not entirely indicate how healthy a food is. However, it does indicate how processed it is - and studies have linked UPFs to a number of diseases. How does your kitchen compare to the following groups? Unprocessed or minimally processed foods (group 1) vegetables and fruits (fresh or frozen) dried fruits with no added sugar, honey, or oil grains and legumes (chickpeas, lentils) meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs milk without added sugar plain yogurt with no added sugar nuts and seeds spices and herbs tea, coffee, water Processed culinary ingredients (group 2) iodized salt salted butter sugar and molasses from cane or beet honey extracted from combs syrup from maple trees vegetable oils crushed from olives or seeds butter and lard from milk and pork starches extracted from corn and other plants vegetable oils with added anti-oxidants vinegar with added preservatives Processed foods (group 3) canned vegetables, fruits, and legumes fruits in syrup salted or sugared nuts and seeds salted cured or smoked meats canned fish artisanal breads and cheese Ultra-processed foods (group 4) pop and fruit drinks sweetened yogurt sweet or savoury packaged snacks (e.g., cookies) candies and cake mixes mass-produced packaged breads and buns margarines and spreads breakfast cereals cereal and energy bars energy drinks instant soups, sauces, and noodles poultry and fish nuggets, hot dogs many ready-to-heat products: pre-prepared pies, pasta, and pizza dishes
