Am I eligible for Ozempic, and the way do I get it? Our consultants reply all of your questions concerning the weight-loss drug

Weight reduction medication have been praised by everybody from politicians to Hollywood’s hottest stars.

Actress Insurgent Wilson revealed that the devices helped her preserve her slim determine, whereas Oprah Winfrey mentioned their arrival “seems like a aid, like redemption, like a present.”

Nonetheless, though the usage of Ozempic – the model title for the drug semaglutide – could appear ubiquitous, there are strict standards for entry to such therapies within the UK.

So, are weight reduction injections best for you, and if that’s the case, how are you going to get them? Listed here are some questions to think about…

How a lot weight can I anticipate to lose?

The medication mimic glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1, a hormone launched by the intestine while you eat. It turns off starvation indicators within the mind and stimulates the pancreas to launch insulin — a hormone that regulates blood sugar ranges.

You have to to eat a low-calorie weight loss program and train repeatedly whereas taking the medicine. The mixture ends in a mean 15 p.c discount in physique weight over 16 months.

Am I eligible to get it on the NHS?

Ozempic was initially designed as a remedy for sort 2 diabetes, and NHS pointers say that Ozempic shouldn’t be prescribed only for weight reduction, with a view to shield provides for individuals with diabetes.

Nonetheless, Wegovy – one other sort of semaglutide – is out there on the NHS, however just for individuals coping with issues brought on by weight problems, not simply those that wish to lose some weight.

Weight reduction medicines mimic glucagon-like peptide 1, the hormone your intestines launch while you eat. It turns off starvation indicators within the mind and stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin

Your GP might suggest semaglutide, given as a weekly injection, if weight loss program and train alone haven’t labored, or you’ve gotten well being issues brought on by your weight, corresponding to diabetes or hypertension, and your BMI is 35 or extra (though this may increasingly fluctuate for ethnic minorities).

An identical weight reduction drug obtainable on the NHS is liraglutide (additionally identified by the model title Saxenda), which requires every day injections. To be eligible, the entire following should apply: You have to be 75 years of age; You will have a physique mass index of 35 or extra; You will have excessive blood sugar. And also you’re at excessive danger of coronary heart issues – for instance, as a result of hypertension or excessive ldl cholesterol.

What a couple of particular prescription?

Even privately, you possibly can solely get Wegovy with analysis, prescription, and ongoing assist. Non-public medical doctors might use larger discretion with regards to your BMI, however they nonetheless must take nationwide recommendation under consideration.

With regards to Ozempic, many non-public medical doctors observe the identical precept of not prescribing it only for weight reduction, however some are prepared to prescribe it to non-diabetics.

For those who pay in your NHS prescriptions, Wegovy and Saxenda value £9.90 per pack of 4 or 5 pre-filled pens. Specifically, a four-week provide of Wegovy can begin at £169 and a six-week provide of Saxenda can begin at round £230.

How lengthy can I take it?

For those who’re taking Wijovi, you may get a evaluation after six months and can normally solely proceed utilizing it should you lose at the very least 5% of your physique weight in six months.

Below present pointers, semaglutide is barely obtainable by means of the NHS for a most of two years. Nonetheless, this doesn’t apply to personal prescriptions, and a few consultants anticipate many sufferers to proceed taking them for all times, with two-thirds of them regaining their preliminary weight after a yr of stopping.

Martin White, affiliate professor of metabolic medication on the College of Surrey, factors out that the long-term use of medicines to deal with circumstances corresponding to diabetes and bronchial asthma “is rarely arousing suspicion… and weight problems isn’t any exception.” However he provides that semaglutide “is a remedy, not a treatment. There’s a want for main efforts in weight problems prevention – on the societal stage.”

Why not for me?

It isn’t beneficial to be used throughout being pregnant or breastfeeding. The most typical uncomfortable side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Many individuals additionally report feeling drained and having complications.

What if I can not get it?

Normal NHS recommendation is to scale back your meals consumption by 600 energy a day to reduce weight at a sustainable charge of 0.5 to 1kg per week (for most girls this implies consuming not more than 1,400 energy a day). Adults are additionally suggested to do at the very least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

Different choices embrace cognitive behavioral remedy (CBT) and, for many who are severely overweight (BMI 40 or larger), bariatric surgical procedure, however solely in any case acceptable nonsurgical measures have been tried.