Celebrities like Twitter creator Elon Musk will soon be able to buy a controversial weight loss injection.
Wegovy, or semaglutide, is a prescription appetite suppressant.
It has the same component as Ozempic, a diabetes medication rumored to be the “thin shot” of choice in Hollywood.
Experts caution that it is neither a quick fix nor a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise and that it should only be administered under medical supervision.
Boots claims it will be able to provide the whole service, including prescribing and administering the medication.
People can register their interest in Wegovy on the websites of Superdrug and Lloyds Pharmacy online.
As with any drug, there are possible adverse effects and hazards.
The most common symptoms are nausea or stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas.
According to Vogue, rapid weight loss can cause volume loss in the cheeks, resulting in an “Olympic face.”
According to proposed NHS guidelines, the advertised price for a month’s supply of four pre-filled disposable injection pens is £73.25. However, retailers have not yet disclosed the price of the service. A price agreement with the NHS has not been announced.
The recommendations also state that people should not take the medicine for longer than two years.
What is Wegovy and what is its effectiveness?
You must be overweight or obese to take it, and a doctor must prescribe it.
When the Novo Nordisk-manufactured medicine becomes accessible in the United Kingdom, certain high-street pharmacies will offer an online service.
It mimics GLP-1, making people feel fuller and eat less.
Once a week, patients inject themselves with prefilled pens.
In clinical trials, liraglutide, when combined with a nutritious diet and exercise, helped obese individuals lose a tenth of their body weight or almost two stone (12.7 kg) on average.
However, researchers have discovered that once users discontinue treatment, they may regain the majority of their weight.
A Boots spokeswoman stated, “It can be a successful medication for long-term weight loss when combined with a low-calorie diet. Increased physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices.” With a projected release date of spring 2023, it will be offered through Boots Online Doctor.
Customers who are concerned about the impact of their weight on their health can use the Boots Online Doctor Weight Loss Treatment service. After completing an online consultation form that will be evaluated by a clinician, customers will have access to treatment.
Those who are offered treatment will receive follow-up touchpoints and support from the Boots Online Doctor service throughout their weight reduction journey, in addition to receiving assistance from our pharmacy experts in stores.
Tom Quinn from the eating disorder charity Beat stated, “Wegovy or other weight-loss drugs should only be sold under the most restrictive of conditions, with rigorous medical and mental health screenings to ensure patients are well enough.
“These medications can be very appealing to persons with eating disorders because they appear to offer a ‘fast fix’. However, there is a very significant danger that they will make those affected sicker and will further entrench eating disorder attitudes and behaviors. People must be informed of the risks of abusing weight-loss medications, and there should be more education about their side effects.”
