Injectable weight loss medicines are usually taken once a day or week and are quick and easy to use. They can help to regulate your appetite and reduce cravings. Scientific studies have shown that they can be a very effective medicine to achieve weight loss when used alongside a reduced calorie diet, increased physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices.

They will then suggest appropriate changes to your diet and lifestyle that are most suitable for you. Our recommendations are always personalised to your specific needs rather than general. You will then work on a joint plan with your practitioner to help you action the recommendations.

Your practitioner will also be able to advise on any specific testing which may be worthwhile, and arrange a suitable follow-up to work with you over time. After all, we are interested in helping you achieve long-term results.

The newest and most commonly used injectable weight loss medications contain an artificial version of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which is released from our gut after we eat. Boosting our levels of GLP-1 can be very effective in helping us to develop healthy eating habits and lose weight. It does this in several ways:

• Regulates our blood sugar levels

• Tells our brain that we are full, reducing our appetite.

• Makes the stomach empty more slowly, helping us feel fuller for longer.

• Reduces our cravings, sometimes for more unhealthy foods.

Scientific trials have demonstrated that the new injectable weight loss medications can help people achieve significant weight loss of up to 16-21% on average, but as high as 25% in a smaller minority of people. 

Our experience at DGA Health has been that the majority of our patients have achieved similar or greater than average degrees of weight loss on medications, owing to the quality of support we offer.

It is however important to remember that the degree of weight loss will vary significantly according to the individual and to the type of medication used. In addition to weight loss, GLP-1 medications are showing promising advantages in a number of other areas such as reducing heart attack and stroke risk, improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and possibly even reducing the risk of, or delaying the onset of, Alzheimer’s dementia.

Weight loss medications aren’t suitable for everyone, and we prioritise the safety of our patients at all times. We only offer them in line with official recommendations for adults with a BMI over 30, or a BMI over 27 with weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease or sleep apnoea. They are not suitable if you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

We will never guarantee a prescription of any medication until we have seen you and assessed whether it is the right treatment for you.

The best places for injection are areas with the most fat, such as your tummy (not within 5cm of your belly button), the front of your thighs or your upper arms. It’s important to change injection sites regularly. Your doctor will show you the best injection locations in your initial appointment.

Treatment with weight loss medicine usually begins at a low dose, and is gradually increased over 16 weeks to the maximum dose. We do this slowly to help your body to adjust and allow for the monitoring of any side effects.

While using new injectable weight loss medications, you should feel as though your appetite is reduced so you should eat less, as you should feel fuller for longer. You may also have reduced cravings for foods, especially fatty ones.

As with all medicines, injectable weight loss medications come with some potential side effects. Whilst these are quite common, for most people they should be mild and are likely to lessen or even disappear completely after a few weeks of starting treatment. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. Fatigue and headache are also very common. Side effects are more common at each dose increase, but tend to settle with time for most people. Our doctors will support you if you are suffering with any side effects, and help you decide whether to continue treatment or reduce your dose. Injectable weight loss medications can be associated with some more serious effects, although thankfully these are very rare:

• Pancreatitis - Severe inflammation of the pancreas gland. Symptoms can include severe abdominal pain with or without persistent vomiting.

• Severe allergic reactions: Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue and difficulty swallowing

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those already using insulin.

If you have any symptoms above, or other concerns, you should stop taking the medication immediately and seek urgent medical attention. Please make sure to read the Patient Information Leaflet carefully before starting treatment.

Injectable weight loss medications are injected under the skin once a week using a special injection pen. It’s easier than it sounds and our doctor can help you administer the first dose (and further doses if you wish).

If you struggle with side effects or find a lower dose helps you to achieve your healthy weight loss goal, you may not need to continue to increase the dose as per the recommended guidelines. This is why we continue to assess you throughout your treatment with us, ensuring that your dosing is appropriate for you.

We recommend maintaining communication with your NHS GP to ensure a seamless and coordinated approach to your healthcare. By sharing relevant information, we can help safeguard your overall wellbeing, particularly if you have existing medical conditions or are taking other medications.