Weight Loss Treatments

Understanding Weight Loss Treatments

Obesity is becoming a serious health problem in the UK. As well as the psychological impact of being overweight, obesity is responsible for 44% of diabetes cases, 23% of heart disease, and up to 41% of cancers.

Exercise and diet are important for weight loss, but some people struggle to lose weight using these methods alone. Weight loss treatments are an important tool to help with weight loss, including weight loss tablets, injectable medication, and even weight loss surgery. Used effectively, they can lead to significant weight loss and improvements in various health conditions like diabetes.

Obesity: An Overview

What is Obesity?

Simply, obesity is when a person has 'too much body fat'. This is typically defined as having a body mass index (BMI) which is over 30.

BMI is the most common measurement of obesity, calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in square meters.

Your BMI will typically fall into one of 5 different bands:

• Under 18.5 - 'underweight'

• Between 18.5 and 24.9 - 'healthy range'

• Between 25 and 29.9 - 'overweight'

• Between 30 and 39.9 - 'obesity'

• 40 or over - 'severe obesity'

Having a BMI which is over 25 may indicate that you are carrying excess weight but it is important to remember that BMI isn't always a representative value and should be taken with caution in individuals who may have a different body composition. For example, if you are a bodybuilder and have more muscle mass, your BMI might be skewed or if you have a limb amputation you may find that you fall into the 'underweight' category. It is important to take BMI as one of many different metrics when considering if a patient is clinically overweight or not.

Waist circumference is a more accurate measurement of obesity. It's measured at the narrowest point between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the hip bone. Values are gender-specific: 94cm or more in men and 80cm or more in women suggest the person is at high risk of obesity-related health problems.

Obesity is caused by an imbalance between the number of calories coming in and the number being burned. However, a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are also involved.

Your genes can play a role in how likely you are to become obese. Over 50 genes are linked to an increased risk of obesity. Many control energy balance in the body, including how you store fat.

Environmental and lifestyle factors, like access to healthy food and physical activity, can also contribute to obesity.

Rarely, some medical conditions can also cause you to gain weight. For example, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Medication for other health conditions, especially steroids, can also make weight gain worse. Make sure to talk to your GP or online doctor if you’re worried.

Health Risks Associated with Obesity

Obesity can lead to a range of health issues including:

• Coronary heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Stroke

• Type 2 diabetes

• An increased risk of certain types of cancer

• Breathing problems and sleep apnoea

• Kidney disease

• Joint issues and arthritis

• Infertility

It can also impact self-esteem and lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. One study found that individuals with obesity were up to 55% more likely to develop depression than those with a "normal" BMI.

Importance of Addressing Obesity

Achieving a healthier weight not only reduces your risk of developing serious health problems but can really improve your mental well-being and self-confidence. If you're struggling to get to a healthy weight through lifestyle changes alone, you may consider trying weight loss medication.

Prescription Weight Loss Medications

Overview of Prescription Medications

Many weight loss medications are only available on prescription from a healthcare professional. This is to make sure you're prescribed the most appropriate treatment considering your other medication, health conditions, and lifestyle. A healthcare professional will also monitor you for side effects and to check you're getting the desired results.

Weight loss medications can be categorised into injections and tablets. Read more about some of the most common types of weight loss medication below.

You may find some of the products listed below available from non-pharmacies. It is vital to remember that weight loss medications are prescription medications which must be prescribed by a suitably qualified and experienced healthcare professional. When you consult with a healthcare professional, there are many things taken into consideration including your medical history, risk factors, presence of any serious medical conditions and what will work best to help you lose weight.

Common Weight Loss Medications in the UK

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Weight Loss Injections

How Do Weight Loss Injections Work?

Most weight loss injections target a receptor known as the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor. By mimicking the hormone GLP-1, these medications activate this type of receptor, leading to improved blood glucose levels, slower stomach emptying, and reduced hunger signals. Together, this makes you feel fuller for longer and eat less.

Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Saxenda all work in this way. However, Mounjaro also targets another type of receptor called the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor. This helps reduce how much sugar the liver produces, whilst regulating blood sugar in others ways, reducing hunger cues, and delaying stomach emptying. As it targets two different receptors, Mounjaro may result in better weight loss results.

Off-Label Weight Loss Injections

Ozempic (Semaglutide)

What is Ozempic?

Originally developed for managing type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is an injectable medication that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. This is the same active ingredient as Wegovy.

Ozempic works similarly to Wegovy: by targeting the GLP-1 receptor, leading to increased feelings of fullness and reduced hunger cues.

Why is Ozempic No Longer Prescribed for Weight Loss in the UK?

Ozempic is an effective treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. When Ozempic began to be used for weight loss, this led to issues with supply. Unfortunately, this meant there wasn't enough of the medication for people with type 2 diabetes who relied on Ozempic to regulate their blood sugar levels.

Since then, the UK regulations have changed to reduce the prescribing of Ozempic for weight loss and to ensure it is only prescribed for its licensed indication of type 2 diabetes. Wegovy was launched in October 2023 and is licensed specifically for weight loss.

Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic (semaglutide) and has a license for prescribing to patients who require it for weight loss. This has helped reduce the pressures on Ozempic supply and type 2 diabetic patients can now continue to access Ozempic as a safe and effective treatment for their diabetes whilst Wegovy ensures the needs of patients who require semaglutide for weight loss are also met.

In some cases, Ozempic may still be prescribed 'off-label' although this is strongly discouraged due to the availability of a licensed product. It may mean that a prescriber has decided to prescribe Ozempic for weight loss 'off-label' if there are local supply constraints.

Prescribing something "off-label" doesn't mean it's dangerous, as the active ingredient has already been thoroughly tested. It just means that it's not licensed for that particular condition. It's an individual decision as to whether a doctor will prescribe Ozempic for weight loss, and they will have to issue a private prescription for it rather than an NHS prescription, making it more expensive.

The common side effects of Ozempic are the same as Wegovy, including diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pains, and nausea.

Weight Loss Pills and Tablets

Understanding Weight Loss Pills

Most common weight loss pills contain the active ingredient Orlistat (otherwise known as tetrahydrolipstatin). This medication works to reduce how much fat is absorbed from the food you eat by blocking an enzyme found in the gut. The fat passes through your intestines and leaves your body without being absorbed. Unfortunately, this can result in oily stools, discharge from the back passage, diarrhoea, and stomach pain. However, Orlistat can be an effective medication for weight loss.

Other types of weight loss tablets contain two active ingredients in combination: naltrexone and bupropion. Together, these drugs work to reduce cravings and the desire to eat whilst making you feel fuller for longer. Usually, you would take up to 2 tablets twice a day.

With all weight loss drugs, it's important to eat a balanced diet to make sure you're getting all the nutrients you need whilst also reducing your calorie intake.

Popular Weight Loss Pills

• Orlistat - unbranded medication that typically comes as a 120mg dose and is taken three times a day

• Xenical - a particular brand of orlistat, comes as a 120mg dose taken three times a day with meals

• Alli - contains 60mg of orlistat taken three times a day, this is available over the counter without a prescription

• Mysimba - a prescription weight loss tablet containing bupropion and naltrexone that works to reduce cravings

Not all medications are suitable for everyone, so it's important to speak to a healthcare professional first.

Which Weight Loss Medication Works Best?

The success of certain weight loss medications over other weight loss treatments is very patient-specific.

We consider the most effective weight loss medication to be the one which you take regularly as part of a change in lifestyle with a reduced calorie diet and increase in physical activity.

Based on results from clinical trials, Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) does indicate that it has an edge over Wegovy.

How Much Weight Can You Lose When Taking Weight Loss Medication?

The amount of weight you can lose whilst using medicated weight loss treatment depends on the lifestyle changes that are made and your starting weight alongside the treatment but also patient-specific factors.

Studies indicate that Mounjaro can help you lose up to 21% of body weight at 12 weeks with intensive lifestyle changes with a total average loss of 26.6% over 84 weeks.

Wegovy on the other hand indicated an average of 17.4% weight loss over the course of the clinical trials.

Our real-world results show that the actual results patients see are very individual and do vary. Our goal is to encourage lifestyle change for a healthier long-term prognosis.

Are There Any Side Effects to Taking Weight Loss Medication?

As with all medications, there are side effects which can occur. It is important to read the leaflet included with each treatment. If you are unsure or would like to speak to a healthcare professional, give us a call or drop us a message; we'll be more than happy to help.

Typically side effects with most weight loss treatments consist of:

• constipation

• headache

• feeling sick (nausea)

• abdominal pain

• diarrhoea

Lifestyle Changes for Weight Management

It is important to remember that although there may be many weight management medications available, these form only a small part of your weight loss journey. The vast majority of your weight loss will occur from lifestyle changes which are sustained long-term.

Importance of a Healthy Diet

A low-calorie diet is necessary to lose weight, but it's still important to make sure you're getting all the nutrients you need. A balanced diet should include healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you're taking Orlistat, it's also important to limit your fat intake to less than 30% of a meal.

We ensure that we try to encourage patients to make manageable changes to their diet which are sustainable long term; making switches to healthy foods in place of high fat, high sugar, high salt snacks and aiming for an overall reduced food intake whilst you lose weight. This approach helps ensure that when you do reach your goal weight, you have all the tools at your disposal including behaviours and habits to ensure you can sustain it long term.

If you're looking for advice on how to build a healthy, sustainable diet plan, the British Nutrition Foundation offers some helpful tips.

Incorporating Regular Exercise

Not only does regular physical activity burn calories, it also helps to build and maintain muscle. More muscle can increase your basal metabolic rate, helping you to burn more calories at rest. The brain chemicals released after exercise can also give your mood a huge boost, helping you to stay motivated and improve your mental health.

Exercise isn't all about weight loss though. Being obese increases the risk of a variety of cardiovascular problems, but exercise can actually help to counteract that risk and reduce the chance of having a heart attack or stroke.

It's important to opt for types of exercise you enjoy, but if you want to learn more about the types of exercise that help with weight loss, read our article here.

Behavioural Changes and Mental Health

Many people use eating as a strategy to cope with how they're feeling, but this can make things worse. It's important to develop other ways to deal with stress, such as exercising, mindfulness, yoga, writing down your feelings, or even seeking help from a professional.

By putting strategies in place to deal with stress when you're feeling ok, you'll find it easier to use these skills when the time comes rather than turning to food.

Trying to lose weight can be challenging, both physically and mentally. Try to celebrate the small wins as you go, and get friends and family on board to help you stay motivated throughout your weight loss journey.

Who Should Consider Weight Loss Treatments?

It's important to remember that weight loss medications aren't a quick fix. They can effectively support your weight loss efforts, but they only work along with diet and exercise changes. To be prescribed weight loss medication, you must have tried to lose weight by improving your diet and exercising more first.

You must also meet the strict BMI criteria (usually a BMI of ≥30 or ≥27 for someone with other weight-related health conditions.

These medications come with side effects, and not all weight loss medicines are suitable for everyone. It's important to discuss your individual needs with a professional before starting any new medication.

Weight management is a combination of many different aspects with the primary one being lifestyle change. We recognise the value of medicated weight treatments as part of a holistic management of body weight.

Quick Meds Weight Loss Service

How Quick Meds Can Help You Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals

At Quick Meds, we offer a specialist weight management service that you can access from the comfort of your home. We're a UK-based GPhC-certified online pharmacy that offers a variety of weight loss treatments delivered straight to your door.

As an independent pharmacy, we still maintain that personal touch whilst giving efficient, effective care. With over 90% 5-star reviews on Trustpilot, our customers love our "experienced staff", "fantastic support", and "outstanding customer service and delivery".

"From all online pharmacies in UK Quick Meds is the best in Customer Service and best in Prices!! I have tried others but in my experience Quick Meds is the number 1 for my weight injectables!"

Andre - Quick Meds Customer

How to Get Started with Quick Meds' Weight Loss Service

Quick Meds offers discreet, safe, and secure consultations with our team of healthcare professionals. You'll receive the best advice and personalised treatments to help you achieve your goals.

We offer licensed treatments such as Wegovy, Mounjaro & Orlistat. Our trained staff are also happy to discuss other popular weight loss medications.

Follow our simple process to get started today:

1. Complete your online consultation

2. Choose your preferred treatment and complete checkout.

3. Have your personalised, one-to-one consultation with one of our experienced professionals where treatment is tailored to your specific circumstances with advice to suit.

4. Continue your journey to a healthier weight and lifestyle.

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Summary

Losing weight has many health benefits, but it can be hard to get rid of that excess weight through diet and exercise alone. Prescription weight loss treatment can be a helpful aid, but should always be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Quick Meds' online weight loss service offers expert advice and treatment that's accessible from anywhere in the UK.

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