Tell us: what have you never quite understood about weight loss drugs?
Originally developed for diabetes, these medications are now being prescribed for weight management. But the science, ethics, and long-term effects of these drugs are still being explored.
In a new video series on our It's Complicated Youtube channel, we're investigating the major questions behind some of today's most confusing topics – and weight loss drugs are at the top of that list.
What do these medications actually do to the body? Who should take them, and who decides? Are they reshaping how we think about obesity, health, and personal responsibility? We'll be speaking with experts to better understand the science and the social impact, and we want to make sure we're answering the questions you have.
What have you never quite understood about weight loss drugs? Maybe you're unsure how they work, or you're curious about side effects, access, or stigma. Maybe you've tried them, are thinking about it, or feel overwhelmed by the hype. Whatever your question, we'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below to share your thoughts. Your questions could help shape our reporting and be featured in the show.
You can tell us what you would like to know about weight-loss drugs by filling in the form below.
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7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Weight loss simplified: Shed pounds with the affordable Ozempic alternative that doesn't require insurance (and that actually works)
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Daily Mail
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EXCLUSIVE Nurse issues urgent Mounjaro warning: Common mistake puts patients at risk of deadly organ damage
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She is now urging healthcare officials to reconsider rolling out these jabs without strict guidelines in place, which could put users at severe risk of organ damage as GPs struggle under time-constraints. As such, SheMed have made blood tests a mandatory part of their programme before prescribing the revolutionary jab. Last month, the UK medicines regulator launched a probe into the safety of fat jabs after hundreds of users developed pancreatitis, leaving ten dead. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it has received more than 560 reports of people developing an inflamed pancreas after taking so-called 'GLP-1' injections since they were first launched. The MHRA is now calling for users who are admitted to hospital with pancreatitis to report the side effect to authorities using the regulator's Yellow Card scheme. Healthcare workers can also submit a report on patients' behalf. 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These blockbuster jabs have also been credited with lowering blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes, but Ms Joy warned they are not a silver bullet and can come with a number of serious side effects. Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in the UK are taking weight loss jabs, many of which are bought privately due to NHS rationing. Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. However Ms Joy warned that Mounjaro can also cause severe dehydration, especially in people with diabetes. It typically causes headaches and dizziness but if not treated quickly can even lead to seizures, kidney failure or prove fatal. There have been further reactions and deaths linked to other side-effects following the use of GLP-1 medicines. The MHRA stresses that it has not been established that the jabs caused the illnesses, but that the patients themselves have reported them as side effects. Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England, said: 'GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects. 'We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause. 'This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system.'
