Research by Harley Street Skin Clinic found semaglutide – sold under the brand names Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes – is the most searched weight-loss medication, with over 16 million Google searches last year.
Patients inject themselves weekly with the drug, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, which mimics the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that is released after eating.
It has been hailed as a “game-changer” in the battle against obesity.
Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) says the drug Wegovy will only be offered on the NHS to adults with at least one weight-related condition and a body mass index (BMI) score of at least 35.
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The weight-related conditions that make obese people eligible include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia (unbalanced or unhealthy cholesterol levels), obstructive sleep apnoea and heart disease.
People will only be given Wegovy on prescription as part of a specialist weight management service involving input from several professionals, and for a maximum of two years. It is to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, Nice said.
It is the first obesity drug doctors are allowed to prescribe specifically to reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease in people living with excess weight or obesity, according to the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The side effects of weight-loss jabs
With 10.4 million searches in the last 12 months, tirzepatide is another highly sought-after weight-loss medication that showed such promising results – clinical trials showed people on the treatment lost up to 20 per cent of body weight – it has been dubbed the “King Kong of weight-loss jabs”.
Mounjaro has been made available on the NHS but millions of people will have to wait several years to get hold of it as the health service tries to manage demand.
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Available by prescription (Xenical) and over the counter (Alli), it is often used with a low-fat diet. While effective, orlistat can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects, including oily stools and increased bowel movements, making dietary adjustments essential for tolerability, the Harley Street report states.
However, a spokesman said these medications can be very dangerous as they can worsen harmful thoughts and behaviours for those unwell, or contribute to an eating disorder developing for someone who is already vulnerable.
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Read MoreOne thing for certain is that demand is not slowing down. The global market for obesity drugs is projected to skyrocket to £80bn by 2030, a dramatic increase from £3bn in 2023, with more products certain to come onto the market.
His call came as reports suggest the Government is set to announce trials that would see the medication made available following a short, over the counter consultation for the price of an NHS prescription. The NPA said the move would ensure the drugs are not restricted to those who can afford to pay to get them privately.
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