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INFORMATION QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does weight loss medication work?

Weight loss medication can work in several ways to help you lose weight, depending on the active ingredients and what effects it has in your body. They primarily work by suppressing your appetite, slowing your digestion, and keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Some also work by blocking the absorption of dietary fat or affecting your metabolism.

Weight loss injections

All weight loss injections work in a similar way, depending on which active ingredient is used (liraglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide).

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) agonist. It attaches to GLP-1 receptors, mimicking the hormone. By doing this, it controls hunger levels so you eat less without feeling hungry throughout the day. It also delays the emptying of your stomach, which helps you feel fuller for longer. GLP-1 also helps to lower blood sugar levels, which can reduce cravings.

Semaglutide also works by mimicking GLP-1. This affects the parts of your brain responsible for hunger, sending a signal to your brain that you are full. It also controls blood sugar levels, helping to reduce cravings.

Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 agonist, meaning it works the same way as liraglutide and semaglutide by controlling hunger levels and cravings. It also imitates GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide), a hormone released in the small intestine. This can improve how your body breaks down fat and sugars and is thought to enhance the effects of GLP-1.

Weight loss tablets

Weight loss tablets work in different ways to help you lose weight, depending on the active ingredient they contain.

Orlistat, Xenical, and alli contain the same active ingredient, orlistat, which is a lipase inhibitor. This blocks the absorption of up to 33% of the fat you eat at each meal. The unabsorbed fat is then excreted in waste, through your stool, helping you lose weight.

Mysimba contains the active ingredients naltrexone and bupropion, which work by acting on the area of the brain that controls your appetite. It is believed to work by suppressing hunger so that you eat less, curbing cravings, and reducing the desire to snack.

Are weight loss injections safe?

Yes, prescription weight loss medications are safe if you purchase them from reputable sources and use them exactly as they have been prescribed. Before being approved for use by health authorities, such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), all medications, including weight loss injections, must undergo rigorous testing and extensive clinical trials.

This includes long-term trials that test both the effectiveness and safety, to determine side effects and whether certain groups of people may not be able to take it, such as due to other medications or health conditions. Even after approval, medications are still monitored closely by the MHRA and doctors for safety.

When you request any weight loss medication from Superdrug Online Doctor, our doctors will make sure it is safe for you to take.

All weight loss treatments offered by Superdrug Online Doctor will be given under the supervision of a doctor, and you can reach out to them at any time if you have any questions about your treatment, via your patient account.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is only available privately if you meet specific criteria, such as having a BMI of 30 or above, or at least 27 and weight-related health conditions. Mounjaro was approved by the MHRA for use in the UK in November 2023 for weight loss and is now available on the NHS from certain GPs. Due to cost and availability, the NHS are focusing first on prescribing Mounjaro to those who are “most in need”.

This means those with a BMI of 40 or more, and at least 4 weight-related health conditions outlined by NHS guidelines. These guidelines will slowly change so more people can access Mounjaro, but this is expected to take a total of 12 years. You can find out more about Mounjaro on the NHS in our NHS weight loss injections guide.

➤ See our page on is Mounjaro safe for more information on studies and side effects.

Wegovy

Wegovy is a NICE-approved weight loss injection for people who are overweight or obese. The medication was approved in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and has been available on the NHS via specialist weight management services since September 2023, if you meet the specific criteria to qualify for it.

Nevolat (liraglutide)

Liraglutide, also known as the branded injection Saxenda, was approved by NICE in 2020 for weight management. Nevolat is the generic version of Saxenda and contains the active ingredient, liraglutide. Nevolat is available both privately and on the NHS for eligible overweight and obese people.

Weight loss treatment side effects

Like all medications, weight loss injections and pills can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them. The information below shows the most common side effects for each medication.

Mounjaro:

feeling sick (nausea)
diarrhoea
being sick (vomiting)
constipation
low blood sugar when used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
stomach pain

Wegovy:

feeling sick (nausea)
headache
being sick (vomiting)
diarrhoea
constipation
stomach pain
weakness or tired

Liraglutide:

feeling sick (nausea)
diarrhoea
being sick (vomiting)
constipation
headache

Orlistat/ Xenical/ alli:

liquid stools
wind with discharge
oily or fatty stools
oily discharge from the anus
headache
stomach pain/discomfort
urgent/increased need to open your bowels
low blood sugar when used by some people with type 2 diabetes

Mysimba:

feeling sick (nausea)
being sick (vomiting)
constipation
headache

What to do if you get side effects

If you get any of the common or mild side effects, they should go away on their own once your body gets used to the medication. There are things you can do to help manage the effects at home.

How to manage weight loss injection side effects

Feeling and being sick are common side effects of weight loss injections, and they can be managed by:

eating smaller, more frequent meals that are not oily, greasy, spicy or fatty – easy-to-digest foods like soup can help
drinking plenty of water, especially if you are sick, to help maintain your hydration
getting plenty of rest

Another common side effect is headaches. These can usually be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, drinking plenty of water, and resting.

➤ See our pages on Mounjaro side effects and Wegovy side effects for more information.

How to manage weight loss pill side effects

A common side effect of orlistat and Xenical is oily or fatty stools and an increased urge to use the toilet. You can help this by eating less fat and spreading it out across your 3 meals. If you are struggling with the side effects, speak to your doctor, who may suggest lowering your dose to help your body get used to the medication.

If you experience any serious side effects, such as an allergic reaction, you should call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E. If you are worried or concerned about any side effects of weight loss treatments, speak to your doctor for advice.

Are weight loss treatments available over the counter?

There are several weight loss treatments available that do not require a prescription. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer alli that contains the active ingredient orlistat. It works in the same way as orlistat and Xenical by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from meals. However, alli is available at a lower 60mg dose and is available to buy over the counter at pharmacies after a pharmacist has confirmed it is safe for you.

Other over-the-counter treatments include:

Orlos – a branded version of orlistat that’s available without a prescription, similar to alli
XLS-Medical Carb Blocker and Fat Binder – supplements that are marketed as appetite reducers that work to make you feel less hungry and should be used alongside a calorie-controlled diet and exercise to help reduce your calorie intake

Who is weight loss treatment suitable for?

To qualify for prescription weight loss treatment, you need to have a BMI of over 30, or over 27 or 28 with certain other medical problems, but this depends on the medication.

Certain medical conditions or medications could interact with prescription weight loss treatment, making it less effective or unsafe. You should always speak to a doctor before taking weight loss treatment, and always be honest and accurate. This is because weight loss medication could cause serious illness and severe side effects if it is not suitable for you.

Contraindications

You should speak to a doctor before taking any weight loss medication, especially if you have:

liver or kidney problems
IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)
thyroid disease
problems with your heart
epilepsy or a history of seizures
anxiety or another mental health condition
problems absorbing nutrients, which is called chronic malabsorption syndrome

Weight loss treatment is not suitable for anyone:

under 18
breastfeeding or pregnant
with allergies to any ingredients in the medication

Medication that can interact with weight loss treatment

Some medications can interact with weight loss treatment, making it not work as it should. This could be unsafe. Speak to your doctor if you take any other medications, especially: