Frequently Asked Weight LossQuestions
Our pharmacists can provide expert advice on weight loss, including lifestyle changes, over-the-counter products, and prescription medications. They can also recommend the best treatment for your situation.
Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Weight Loss and our service.
North Camp Pharmacy - Helping the local community in Farnborough, Frimley, Mytchett, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Camberley and beyond.
How much weight can I lose?
All weight loss medicine should look to be supported with diet and exercise where possible in order to appropriately manage weight. This combined approach can also increase how much and over what time period you lose weight. For further advice on safe weight management with diet and exercise see the NHS Live Well resource here
Can exercise help me to manage my weight and health?
Yes!
NHS Choices suggests adults should aim to:
• do strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms) on at least 2 days a week
• do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week
• spread exercise evenly over 4 to 5 days a week, or every day
• reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity
What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Ozempic is an injectable type 2 diabetes medication taken once a week. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Ozempic is currently not available in the UK for weight loss as it has not been licensed. Wegovy is a version of Ozempic made for weight loss, licensed to be used in the UK.
Needles
You will be supplied with needles where applicable. See the package information leaflet to understand how to use and attach the needles. Needles should be for subcutaneous use and no more than 8mm in length and a gauge of 31/32G is recommended.
You should consult your healthcare professional or local pharmacist for more information on use of needles for this service.
Needle Disposal
You should be in possession of a sharps bin if you are using our service. Please use the sharps bin to dispose of used needles. If you require disposal of your sharps bin please see the following link.
We would recommend waiting until your sharps bin is nearly full or you are terminating treatment before requesting a collection from your local council, as you may not be entitled to have several collections in a year. Each council may have different provisions.
You should be in possession of a sharps bin if you are using our service. Please use the sharps bin to dispose of used needles. If you require disposal of your sharps bin please see the following link.
We would recommend waiting until your sharps bin is nearly full or you are terminating treatment before requesting a collection from your local council, as you may not be entitled to have several collections in a year. Each council may have different provisions.
Are there any other reasons that weight-loss injections might not be suitable for me?
The weight loss injection service is not suitable if any of the following apply:
Any of the components of the medication – refer to specific product information for list of excipients (www.medicines.org.uk) (e.g. propylene glycol)
- Patient currently not registered with a GP
- Confirmed anaphylactic reaction to either:
Any of the components of the medication – refer to specific product information for list of excipients (www.medicines.org.uk) (e.g. propylene glycol)
- Informed consent has not been given for the supply or administration of the medication.
- Patients aged under 18 years or over 75 years of age.
- Current pregnancy or planned pregnancy within the next 2 months
- Breastfeeding
- History of / current eating disorder (includes bulimia and anorexia nervosa)
- Concomitant use of other GLP-1 agonists (see interactions below)
- Concomitant use of other weight loss medication (e.g. orlistat, Mysimba etc)
- Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
- Pre-diabetes
- Patients with renal impairment
- History of pancreatitis
- Diabetic retinopathy (diabetics are wholly excluded)
- Heart failure
- Weight gain suspected to be caused by current medication