Overview

• NHS prescriptions for GLP-1 weight-loss jabs almost doubled last year, rising from 1.4 million to 2.7 million in 2024-25 at a cost of £269 million.
• Experts warn that maintaining weight loss may require lifelong use of drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, with most patients regaining lost weight within a year of stopping treatment.
• Clinical studies indicate that these injections can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by about 20 percent, offering benefits beyond simple weight reduction.
• The MHRA has advised women to maintain effective contraception for two months after ceasing treatment; menopause specialists recommend switching from oral HRT pills to intrauterine devices or increasing progesterone doses to avoid absorption issues.
• Healthcare providers are closely monitoring for rare but serious side effects—including pancreatitis, kidney damage and thyroid cancer—and emphasising the need for wraparound lifestyle support.