Mounjaro was developed by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and first approved for medical use in 2022. It’s based on years of research into dual hormone therapies that target both GIP and GLP-1 pathways. Its effectiveness has since been demonstrated in large international trials, helping establish it as a new generation of treatment for type 2 diabetes and weight management. How Mounjaro began The story of Mounjaro started in the early 2010s, when researchers explored way

Yes. You can change to a new weekly day as long as at least 3 full days have passed since your last injection. Once you switch, keep using the new day each week. If you’re unsure about the timing, ask your clinic to help you plan the change. Why flexibility exists Wegovy is designed as a once-weekly injection, and the dosing rules were created with real life in mind. Few people manage a routine that never changes. Work patterns, holidays, travel, or family events can all inte

Any time of day works — morning or evening — because the weekly dose is designed to be flexible. Pick a time you can stick to, keep it the same each week, and set a reminder so doses aren’t missed. If your routine changes (shift work, travel), you can move the time as long as your weekly schedule stays consistent. A flexible schedule Wegovy is designed as a once-weekly injection, and its long half-life means the exact time of day does not affect how well it works. Whether you

The vast majority of patients on Mounjaro currently pay for it privately but some patients can get it on the NHS...

Yes, Wegovy and metformin are often used together in people with type 2 diabetes, and no special dose adjustment is typically required. They work differently: Wegovy (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying, and boosts insulin release, while metformin mainly reduces glucose production in the liver and improves insulin sensitivity. Why combination treatment is common Many people living with type 2 diabetes require more than one medicine to manage blo

In major STEP trials, Wegovy led to about 15% weight loss over 68 weeks. Contrave (called Mysimba in the UK) generally achieves around 6–9% across pivotal studies. This means semaglutide tends to provide greater weight reduction than naltrexone/bupropion combinations. Two very different medicines Although both Wegovy and Contrave are used for weight management, they belong to very different drug families and work in different ways. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 recepto

Wegovy contains semaglutide at a higher dose and is licensed for weight management, while Trulicity (dulaglutide) is prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Weight changes with dulaglutide are usually modest compared with the significant reductions seen in trials of semaglutide for obesity. Different active ingredients and purposes The first key difference is that Wegovy and Trulicity contain different GLP-1 receptor agonists. Wegovy delivers semaglutide at doses up to 2.4 mg weekly,

Standard UK instructions start at 0.25 mg once weekly and step up gradually to improve comfort and reduce tummy side effects. Starting at 0.5 mg is not the routine plan and tends to increase nausea for first-time GLP-1 users. If you’ve previously tolerated a GLP-1, your prescriber will still weigh the pros and cons before deviating from the usual start. Why titration matters Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that acts on appetite control centres in the bra

Recommended sites are the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites each week to reduce local irritation, and avoid areas that are tender, bruised, scarred, or inflamed. If a spot stings or looks red after, switch to a different area next time and mention it at your review. NHS training stresses that choosing the right location improves comfort and consistency over the long term. Why injection site matters Wegovy is given subcutaneously, meaning the medicine needs to sit in

Many people on Wegovy report fewer food cravings and better control over eating, which can reduce stress around meals. Other drugs like Mysimba may also affect mood and cravings, but semaglutide’s impact on appetite tends to have the strongest indirect psychological benefit. Why psychological effects matter Weight management is never only about the body. Emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, and the stress of managing food choices all play a big role in how people experience

Clinical trials included adults up to their mid-70s, and weight loss benefits were seen across age groups. There’s limited evidence directly comparing older versus younger adults, but no major differences in effectiveness have been noted, though older people may be more sensitive to side effects. Who was included in the trials The large clinical trials of semaglutide, such as the STEP programme, included adults with overweight or obesity up to about 75 years old. This means w

Both contain semaglutide and improve blood sugar by enhancing insulin release and reducing glucagon. Ozempic is specifically licensed for diabetes at lower doses, while Wegovy provides the same benefits at higher doses alongside more pronounced weight reduction. How semaglutide works on blood sugar Semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic, belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist family. It lowers blood sugar by stimulating insulin release when glucose level

Yes — trials show Wegovy users lose more weight earlier than with Saxenda, thanks to its stronger appetite effect and weekly dosing. That said, both require steady use over months for results to build. The two medicines at a glance Wegovy and Saxenda belong to the same family of medicines, GLP-1 receptor agonists. They help people feel fuller sooner, reduce appetite, and support healthier eating. The difference lies in the active ingredient and how they are dosed: Wegovy cont

In many cases, Wegovy can be used as the main weight loss medicine, especially when diet and exercise alone haven’t worked. However, switching or replacing other drugs should always be guided by a clinician, as some combinations may still be appropriate depending on health needs. Wegovy as a first-choice option Since its approval by NICE in 2023, Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly) has become the leading option for medical weight management in the UK. Clinical evidence from th

Wegovy mimics the hormone GLP-1, acting on the brain to reduce appetite and slow digestion. Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) affects brain reward and craving pathways, which can reduce emotional eating but doesn’t directly target satiety hormones. How Wegovy works Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics a natural gut hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain that you are full, slows down stomach emptying, and enhances insulin release wh

Yes, NICE guidance states that Wegovy can be offered to adults with a BMI over 35 and at least one weight-related condition, or sometimes with a BMI over 30 if criteria are met. Other drugs, like Saxenda or Mysimba, have similar but slightly different BMI thresholds, while diabetes drugs like Trulicity are prescribed on blood sugar criteria instead. Wegovy and its eligibility rules In the UK, NICE sets out clear criteria for who can be prescribed Wegovy. It is recommended for

Trials such as STEP-1 and SELECT showed Wegovy not only reduced weight but also improved blood pressure, cholesterol, and markers of heart health. Other medicines, like Saxenda, also improve some metabolic measures but to a smaller extent, and drugs like Orlistat mainly affect fat absorption rather than broad cardiometabolic outcomes. Why metabolic health matters Weight management is not just about the number on the scales. Many of the health risks linked to excess weight — i

Neither Wegovy nor Saxenda requires strict dietary rules. Both are prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical...

In STEP trials, people using Wegovy started to see weight changes within the first 4–8 weeks, with maximum effects building over about a year. Ozempic, studied mainly for diabetes, also showed early improvements in blood sugar and weight within weeks, but average weight loss was smaller because of its lower doses. Early signs of progress One of the most common questions people ask is how soon results can be seen. In clinical trials of Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg), participants

Wegovy is taken once weekly via an injection pen, with doses stepped up over 16 weeks. Saxenda requires a daily injection, Mounjaro is a...