EXCLUSIVE Why using the Mounjaro 'golden dose' hack could put your life at risk: Doctors issue urgent warning
A growing number of Mounjaro users are attempting to squeeze extra doses of the weight-loss drug out of used injector pens — cost-cutting trend experts warn how this could prove fatal.
The pre-filled devices are designed to deliver a fixed amount of the drug once a week, typically over four weeks.
Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
I drank kefir for a month and it made me feel like a superhuman – what's the secret behind this gut-friendly drink? (cloned)
While the plant-based revolution might have reduced the amount of lactose in our diets, certain dairy-based foods are making a comeback in the name of good health, and kefir is one of them. I used to think of kefir as one of those slightly icky health foods – probably incredibly good for you but mildly gross. Fermented yogurt? Not the sexiest foodstuff. So despite it being recommended by nutritionists, I eschewed kefir and opted for trendier foods and drinks like kombucha and kimchi instead. These other fermented foods were at least a step in the right direction, especially as new research suggests the health of our guts could be responsible for any number of complaints and maladies. One recent study found that the cure for clinical depression might lie in gut regulation, and another suggested we might sleep better if our gut bacteria were more stable. Foods and drinks that contain gut-friendly bacteria hold a lot of power and we're only just beginning to realise just how essential good gut health is for better long-term wellbeing. Nevertheless, a growing interest in the gut has led to a marketing boost for gut-friendly foods and, once again, kefir has appeared on my radar. 'Kefir is a cousin to yoghurt – the main difference being it contains more different strains of microbes. It's been around for thousands of years yet it's the rise in gut health over the last few years that has brought it back in vogue,' explains Dr Megan Rossi, who goes by The Gut Health Doctor. Dr Rossi continues: 'While there are limited clinical trials looking at the specific benefits, mechanistically it's thought to have added benefits to yoghurt given its high strain diversity and bacteria count. These include benefits with weight management, heart disease, plus a new study from Stanford University showed a high intake of fermented foods was linked with lower markers of inflammation.' One of the things I've become obsessed with in recent years is decreasing inflammation in my body and rolling back my biological age. I'm no Bryan Johnson, but I like to think I've done a pretty good job of this – a recent health scan showed my body's age to be five years younger than my actual age. So, given the reported health benefits of kefir and the fact that I was seeing it absolutely everywhere, I decided to give it a go. I drank kefir, which is high in natural probiotics like lacto and bifido bacterium, every day for 30 days, sipping two different brands in a variety of flavours – I tried natural kefir, kefir with added protein, honey and orange blossom kefir and strawberry to name but a few variations. Not only did I shock myself by absolutely loving the taste, I also loved the results. I had more energy, I felt fuller for longer after meals, my problematic hormonal skin looked better and I found myself looking forward to my morning glass. The skin might have been a red herring, but I was still pleased with how things were going. Dr Rossi recommends consuming 100-200mls of kefir daily, depending on the individual, and your desired outcome also dictates when you should drink it. If you're drinking it to aid digestion and improve your gut health, drinking it on an empty stomach is recommended. However, if you're drinking it as a snack or to improve satiety, after meals is the best time to have it. I opted for 100mls and drank it in the mornings before my breakfast. At this point, my morning routine is pretty detailed, what with all the other health drinks and supplements I take – I have water with electrolytes, a vanilla protein bone broth drink and a coffee with collagen powder, mushroom powder and MCT oil – so adding a small glass of kefir into the mix wasn't a tall order. At first I felt a little unsettled by the pale yogurt-like liquid and the smell of it. I didn't really enjoy the way it coated my tongue and it made the back of my throat feel unpleasant – they always say you should avoid dairy before public speaking for this exact reason. On one occasion I went to a health appointment and was asked to stick out my tongue. I panicked, thinking it would look weird because of all the kefir I'd drunk that morning – luckily I was told I had a very healthy-looking tongue. Of course, some people struggle more with just the slightly bizarre sensation of consuming a thick dairy drink. Those with dairy allergies should avoid dairy-based kefir and despite the fact that it contains low levels of lactose, those who are lactose intolerant should probably give it a miss too. Gut health factbox Experts explain how we can take better care of our gut and boost mood with the right foods 'You can get water kefir and dairy kefir,' Dr Rossi explains. 'Dairy kefir is made with milk and contains lactose, unlike water kefir which is made with sugary water. Generally speaking, homemade dairy kefir is thought to contain around 30 per cent less lactose as the fermentation process reduces some of the lactose present in standard milk.' If you want to avoid dairy altogether then water kefir is probably the way to go. Like kefir made from milk, it comes in a variety of forms and flavours and is suitable for vegans. Dr Rossi also adds that if you are immunocompromised or receiving cancer treatment it's not advised to make your own kefir at home, whether water or milk based, given the risk of contamination. Rather than making my own or drinking water kefir, I drank dairy Kefir from Biotiful and Bio&Me. Having tried plenty of other brands for my research into the best gut health drinks, these two were my favourites in terms of flavour, consistency and price. When it comes to separating a good quality kefir from a poorer quality one, Rossi recommends looking at the ingredient list. 'Sadly many brands are now adding sugars in the form of fruit extracts, versus using whole fruit, and others including new protein products have added sugar in the form of sucrose in them,' she explains. 'Many brands also include thickeners like pectin, which are unnecessary if you get the fermentation technique correct.' I've continued to drink a small glass of kefir each morning and it feels as though it's doing me good. A 2022 paper from the National Library of Medicine suggests that in several studies, kefir has been shown to, 'antagonise pathogens, reduce proinflammatory cytokine production, contribute to cytotoxicity of tumour cell lines and reduce tumour burden, and improve serum glycemic and lipid profiles.' This is high praise for a seemingly straightforward fermented drink. It's higher in protein than milk or traditional yogurt – Greek yogurt offers more protein per gram – and easy to get hold of as most supermarkets stock at least one brand and there are plenty to be found online. With gut health set to be one of the hottest topics in health and wellbeing this year, there's certainly no harm in trying kefir. The bacteria in a single serving could potentially support better digestion, improved immunity and lower inflammation in the body. Despite my initial hesitance to try it, I'm now a kefir convert and love the stuff.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Mounjaro weight loss jab: What you need to know as NHS changes prescription rules
GPs across England will, for the first time, be able to prescribe a new weight loss injection on the NHS from Monday, as the health service embarks on a significant mass rollout. The medication, Mounjaro, is also known as tirzepatide and manufactured by Lilly. It is expected to be made available to approximately 220,000 individuals identified as having the "greatest need" for treatment. The drug was previously only accessible to patients through a specialist weight loss service or through private healthcare services. This initial phase of the programme is projected to span the next three years, integrating the new drug into primary care. Here is a look at Mounjaro and its effects. How does tirzepatide work? Tirzepatide, or Mounjaro, is an anti-diabetic drug. It lowers which blood sugar levels and slows down how quickly food is digested. It makes those taking it 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.
The Independent
3 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.
