Ozempic does work, but this new weight loss jab might be even better

Weight loss injections have taken medicine by storm and offer many people a real hope of safely and effectively losing weight. After years of doctors being unable to offer patients little more than advice on diet and exercise, it seems we might finally have a solution to the obesity crisis.

And not a moment too soon: according to recent NHS statistics, most people in england are now overweight or obese, with nearly two thirds of adults and 30 per cent of children ‘too heavy’. it is estimated that obesity costs the country £58 billion a year. to put that in perspective, that’s just under a third of the entire NHS budget.

if we can get on top of obesity, imagine what that will do not only to people’s lives, but also to the economy and the sustainability of our NHS.

Now another new drug has been licensed for weight loss in the UK: Mounjaro. And i predict this is going to be even bigger than Wegovy.

Just to be clear, Wegovy and Ozempic are exactly the same medication — both are the drug semaglutide. Wegovy is licensed for use in weight loss, while Ozempic is licensed for use in diabetes.

Mounjaro is different: it is a drug called tirzepatide. like Wegovy, it has previously been used to treat diabetes but also causes weight loss.

While Wegovy works on one receptor ( the glP- 1 receptor), Mounjaro works on two — the GLP-1 receptor and the GIP receptor.

Both of these receptors are involved in stabilising blood sugar levels, helping patients feel fuller for longer and reducing cravings.

By working on two different receptors, the weight-loss effects are thought to be enhanced. this is borne out by research. While studies in Wegovy have shown up to 15 per cent weight loss after a year, Mounjaro has shown 20 per cent — and some people even achieved 25 per cent weight loss. there were concerns that by targeting two receptors, the side- effects — some people suffer from nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting or constipation — might be worse than for Wegovy, but this does not appear to be the case.

So, Wegovy or Mounjaro? First, it’s important to say that if you choose either one, then you’ll probably have to go private (getting these drugs on the NHS is very difficult) and, depending on the dose, they can cost more than £200 a month. if you still think this is for you, then it’s really a matter of personal choice.

As with all medications, everyone is different and some people find they respond better to one than the other. if you’re on Wegovy and it is working for you, then there’s no reason to switch. this drug has been around longer than Mounjaro so there has been more research into it — and some people will find this somewhat reassuring.

however, there remain significant supply issues with Wegovy, with stocks limited globally.

SAdly, i’ve heard of a number of patients who have started treatment but then struggled to get subsequent supplies and have either had to stop or shop around trying to find stock.

As a result, some people even ended up buying fake Wegovy from disreputable suppliers.

Both Mounjaro and Wegovy are started at low doses and are then gradually increased to a ‘maintenance dose’.

Wegovy has one maintenance dose (2.4 mg), although it is possible to stay at lower doses if this is clinically indicated.

Mounjaro, on the other hand, has three maintenance doses (5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg). this means there can be greater flexibility in choosing the dosage if you want to take things slowly or are susceptible to side-effects.

While both Mounjaro and Wegovy come in pre-filled pens with four doses, one to be injected each week, having seen both pens myself, i’d say that Wegovy is slightly easier to use.

the display is easier to see and it only has to be ‘primed’ (the air expelled) once.

With Mounjaro, though, you have to remember to do this each time you use it.

i believe that, provided they are prescribed carefully, these medications could revolutionise the way we tackle obesity.

No doubt over the coming years there will be many more drugs developed to help those struggling to lose weight. And the more options there are for patients, the better.

UNDER their new contract, GPs must allow patients to book appointments over the phone, rather than insist they book online. It follows a campaign by the older people’s rights group, Silver Voices, to make sure the NHS is not just for the tech savvy.