Urgent contraception warning issued to 'skinny jab' users for one key reason
Weight-loss injections have become incredibly popular in the past year - but the government has warned that they can interact with contraception in new guidelines
The government has issued a warning for women taking weight-loss injections and urged them to use effective contraception.
A new notice from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said that one type of injection, Mounjaro, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (the pill) in those who are overweight.
Therefore, anyone taking Mounjaro who could get pregnant, should also use a non-oral form of contraception such as the implant, coil, or condoms. This is especially important for the four weeks after starting the injections and after any dose increase.
The official government advice says: "Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in those who are overweight. Therefore, those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and are using an oral form of contraception are advised to also use a non-oral form of contraception.
"This only applies to those taking Mounjaro and is especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase."
Weight-loss drugs must also not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding. If you get pregnant while on the injections, you should speak with your healthcare provider and stop the medicine as soon as possible, the government advised.
It explained: 'This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby.'
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said: 'Skinny jabs are medicines licensed to treat specific medical conditions and should not be used as aesthetic or cosmetic treatments. They are not a quick fix to lose weight and have not been assessed to be safe when used in this way.'
The new guidance also reminded patients that weight-loss medications should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media. This exposes people wanting to lose weight to 'serious health risks' and is against the law.
Legitimate medicines will be provided in pre-filled injection pens - meaning that products supplied as a powder in vials that need to be mixed with a liquid before injection are not authorised.
There have also been reports of fake pre-filled pens that appear similar to the licensed medication. The MHRA warned that while these may look genuine, they 'can also be dangerous', adding: 'The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy, including those trading online, with a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.'
The guidelines also highlighted the importance of being able to recognise symptoms of acute pancreatitis - an uncommon complication that can develop. If you are on weight-loss injections and suddenly get severe pain in your abdomen and feel sick, you should seek immediate help.
Dr Cave said: 'This guidance should not be used as a substitute to reading the patient information leaflet or having a conversation with a healthcare professional as part of the prescribing process.'
If you are taking a GLP-1 medicine and are set to undergo a surgical procedure, you should inform your healthcare team. This is because the medicine slows the emptying of your stomach, which increases the risk that stomach contents could enter into your airway and lungs during surgery.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Mounjaro weight loss jabs now available from GPs
The NHS in England is set to begin a mass rollout of the anti-obesity drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on Monday, with GPs allowed to prescribe it for the first time. The initiative is expected to reach approximately 220,000 severely obese people with multiple health complications across England over the next three years. Eligibility for the drug includes a body mass index (BMI) over 40 and at least four other obesity-linked health problems, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Leading family doctors have raised concerns about the additional workload and training implications for GPs associated with the new rollout. Pharmacy experts anticipate potential pressure on drug supplies and say that the medication should be part of a comprehensive weight management strategy, not a standalone solution.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Mounjaro weight loss jab: All you need to know
GPs in England will be able to prescribe weight loss jabs for the first time on the NHS on Monday, as the health service begins its mass rollout. Some 220,000 people with the 'greatest need' are expected to receive Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide and made by Lilly, through the NHS over the next three years. Here the PA news agency takes a look at the drug and the rollout. – How does tirzepatide work? Tirzepatide, or Mounjaro, is an antidiabetic drug which lowers blood sugar levels and slows down how quickly food is digested. It makes you feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry. If the jab is recommended by a healthcare professional, those using it will need to eat a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and to exercise regularly while taking it, according to the NHS website. – Who might be eligible for the drug? In the first year of the programme, the drug will be offered to people with a body mass index (BMI) score of more than 40 who have at least four other health problems linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes; high blood pressure; heart disease; and obstructive sleep apnoea. It was previously only accessible to patients through a special weight loss service, to severely obese people who also suffer from a range of other health problems. Estimates suggest around 1.5 million people in the UK are already taking weight loss drugs, which may have been prescribed through specialist weight loss services or via private prescription. – How would it be administered? The drug is usually delivered through a self-administered weekly injection which a doctor or nurse will show patients how to use, the NHS website says. – Who cannot take tirzepatide? Mounjaro is not recommended for those who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, breastfeeding or have certain health conditions, according to the NHS. For those taking the contraceptive pill and using tirzepatide, the NHS recommends using an additional method of contraception, such as a condom, for the first four weeks of treatment and for four weeks after each dose increase as the contraceptive pill may not be absorbed by the body during this time. – What are the potential side effects? Potential side effects of tirzepatide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'King Kong' of weight loss jabs available on NHS to those in need from today
Around 220,000 people with "greatest need" are expected to receive Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide and made by Lilly through the NHS over the next three years Hundreds of thousands of NHS patients will benefit from the 'King Kong' of weight loss jabs from today. Around 220,000 in "greatest need" are expected to receive Mounjaro in the mass roll out over the next three years. It is the brand name for the drug tirzepatide, orginally an antidiabetic treatment which lowers blood sugar and slows down how quickly food is digested. GPs in England are being allowed to prescribe Mounjaro to severely obese people for the first time. Patients needed to be on weight loss programmes to get the drug previously. It will initially be offered to people with a body mass index (BMI) score of over 40 in the first year of the roll out. They will also have conditions such as type 2 diabetes; high blood pressure; heart disease; and obstructive sleep apnoea. Around 1.5m already take weight loss drugs in the UK, often through specialist weight loss services or via private prescription. Dr Claire Fuller, from NHS England, said: "This is an important next step in the rollout of weight loss drugs, with community-based services now able to offer this treatment from today. We urgently need to address rising levels of obesity and prioritise support for those who are experiencing severe ill health and greater access to weight loss drugs will make a significant difference to the lives of those people. "These drugs are an important tool alongside the range of wraparound NHS support and advice on good nutrition and increasing physical activity. "They will be vital in helping some people lose weight and reduce their risk of serious long-term conditions." Anyone worried about their weight was urged to still speak with GPs and seek advice even if they were not eligible for the drug. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said: "We recognise the potential benefits of weight loss drugs. "But we know many GPs are concerned about the implications of the rollout of weight loss drugs into general practice, both in terms of workload and training to appropriately initiate and manage these treatments. "The college shares these concerns, which is why we were pleased NHS England suggested a phased roll-out of Mounjaro as a treatment for weight loss. "As and when this is escalated, appropriate resourcing for general practice, including access to 'wraparound' services, and training for GPs must follow." She added: "GPs and our teams are already working under intense workload and workforce pressures, and this must be factored into this rollout in order to guarantee it can be delivered safely. "More widely, whilst weight loss medications have a lot of potential benefits for patients who are struggling to lose weight and who meet all the clinical criteria for a prescription, they mustn't be seen as a 'silver bullet' to aid weight loss. "We also need to focus on stopping people becoming overweight in the first place so they don't require medical intervention later." The rollout of the jabs should not "come at the expense of other weight loss services", she added. Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, told how demand for weight loss jabs continued to rise sharply. More GPs have been directing patients to local chemists to access these treatments privately. "We expect to see prescription volumes increase rapidly," he added. "However, NHS provision won't meet demand straight away, so we fully expect that many people will continue seeking it privately from a pharmacy. Pharmacists are experts in medication and many of us have lots of experience delivering weight loss injections as part of a package of care including lifestyle advice. "We are well placed to help roll out weight loss treatment on the NHS, with the right funding to support it. "The biggest concern we have is that prescribing these medications alone misses the point. They should be part of a comprehensive weight management strategy combining lifestyle coaching, exercise, and nutritional guidance. "In reality, many GPs lack the bandwidth to deliver the level of support needed to ensure proper understanding and follow-up. "As a result, we could end up in a situation where patients are prescribed the medication, lose weight, and then experience rebound weight gain once the course ends, simply because the foundational lifestyle changes weren't addressed." Around 29 percent of the adult population in the UK is obese. Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned that it is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions. "Yet we now have the science, technology, and knowledge to end the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity," he added. "Obesity jabs are used by 1.5 million people in the UK, mainly through private prescriptions. The NHS was founded on a promise to 'universalise the best'. We are determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay." Why it works: Mounjaro is being rolled out gradually to those in greatest need following its success on the open market. It contains the drug Tirzepatide which not only helps the obese to lose weight, but reduces risk of other health conditions. The fall in the number of stroke and heart attack victims should save the NHS billions in the long term. Mounjaro is administered through a weekly injection. It was originally developed as a treatment for people with Type 2 diabetes. Regulators authorised its use for weight loss in November 2023 in a bid to tackle obesity. Tirzepatide acts in the same way as hormones GIP and GLP-1. They are produced in the intestine after eating and make you feel full. They also slow the passage of food through the gut which means patients feel satisfied for longer. Mounjaro 'pens' are for the abdomen or thighs if injecting yourself or the back of the upper arms if someone else is giving you the jab. Experts stress that it is not a 'miracle' drug and ideally needs to be combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. It could potentially be prescribed for 3.4m in England over time. Side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation and indigestion.
