Mounjaro and Wegovy FAQs

Most companies supplying Wegovy and Mounjaro online are pharmacy businesses.

We are different.

The SemaPen team is made up of trained weight management clinicians – not pharmacists supported by a GP or a dietician.

This gives you access to a multi-disciplinary team of weight management experts, including doctors, psychologists, dieticians and specialist nurses. They've been helping patients achieve their weight loss goals for more than 20 years.

Unlike others, we can assess and signpost patients to a full range of treatments, ranging from bariatric surgery to weight loss pens like Wegovy or Mounjaro. We can also provide supportive care, including psychological and dietary advice.

We believe this provides clients with an unrivalled level of assistance delivered by real experts.

The SemaPen programme combines the latest and most effective medications with real-time monitoring using cloud-linked smart scales. You don't even have to remember to let us know – we can check if things are going well and intervene with helpful advice if they're not.

You can contact us 24/7 online without the need to book appointments or online consultations. With support from experts, our unique digital platform will help you reach your health goals.

Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirezepatide) are approved for use in adults with a BMI of 30 or higher. However, there are certain medical conditions that would make treatment inadvisable.

This BMI cut-off is lowered to 27 for those who also have at least one weight-related condition. Examples include:

• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Sleep apnoea
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux
• Weight-related depression
• Joint pain

We will ask you about these conditions when you take our online consultation.

People of certain ethnic origins (Asian, Black Afro-Caribbean, Arab) are more likely to develop certain complications of obesity at lower BMIs. These complications include type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues. This is why your ethnic origin may be taken into account when deciding if you are suitable for treatment with Wegovy or Mounjaro.

To find out whether you're suitable for the SemaPen programme, you can complete our free online medical questionnaire.

If you haven't started treatment and you have a question for our team, drop us a message here. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

If you're already a SemaPen subscriber, you can get in touch through the SemaPen app. Log in and enjoy specialised support via SMS, WhatsApp or online chat.

Do you want some extra support with your diet or your relationship with food? We can set up a confidential online consultation with one of our dieticians or psychologists.

To book your 30-minute consultation, use your personal dashboard on the SemaPen app. Keep in mind that these consultations are chargeable

Yes.

We only ask you to pay one month at a time, so this helps spread the cost of the 12-month course of treatment.

And remember: you can cancel at any time if you feel the SemaPen programme isn't right for you. 

There is a charge for cancelling within the first three months of the programme. This charge includes the cost of your Withings® smart scales, plus a fee (£30) to cover our admin and distribution costs.

If you cancel after three months, there are no cancellation charges and you're free to keep the scales.

Yes.

You will receive your next weight loss pen automatically about a week before the current pen runs out. This may mean you can take the new pen on holiday with you and continue your treatment.

We provide you with a travel card that explains to the authorities why you will be carrying needles and the pen.

If you're going away for longer than a few weeks or you wish to stop while you're away, you can pause your subscription. It's easy to do this through your personal dashboard on the SemaPen app.

When you restart, it's a good idea to select a lower dose than before. This will give your body a chance to get used to the medication again.

We are confident that our programme will help you achieve your goals. That's why we offer a money-back guarantee.

If you complete the 12-month SemaPen programme and don't lose at least 5% of your starting body weight, you can claim a refund.

However, there are a few conditions that you must meet before you can claim:

1. You must have demonstrated that you've engaged with the programme (for example, by registering the smart scales and using them regularly).
2. You must have responded to advice from our support team when they interacted with you.
3. You must have followed the monthly treatment schedule without any gaps in treatment.

The amount refunded will be proportionate to how much weight loss you achieved. You can find full details in our terms and conditions.

Yes. However, some special precautions are needed for patients taking insulin, sulphonylureas, and DPP4 inhibitors (see below).

The main worry is the risk of severe low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when the drug is taken together with other diabetes treatments that reduce blood sugar. This includes treatments like:

• Insulin
• Sulphonylureas (such as gliclazide and glipizide)
• GLP-1 agonists with a similar action to Wegovy and Mounjaro

Unpredictable low blood sugars could risk injury through falls and make daily activities such as driving or operating machinery hazardous. For this reason, we currently do not allow patients on insulin or sulphonylureas to join the SemaPen programme.

There's another class of diabetes drugs known as DPP4-inhibitors. These work by preventing the  breakdown of GLP-1, so it's not recommended to take them alongside Wegovy or Mounjaro. (These types of drugs usually have names that end in 'gliptin'.)

If you want to join the SemaPen programme and are taking a DPP4 inhibitor, please ask your GP or diabetes nurse to stop it. If possible, they should put you on a safe alternative such as metformin.

The SemaPen programme is currently not available to people under the age of 18. However, this is a service we hope to introduce in the future.

We believe there is a real need for effective intervention to help young people who are living with obesity.

Clinical trials show that semaglutide used in combination with lifestyle intervention is a safe and effective treatment in adolescents aged 12 to <18 with a BMI above the 85th percentile and at least one weight-related medical condition.¹

Those taking semaglutide for a year lost 12cm more off their waistline and almost 17% more body weight than others who received lifestyle intervention and a placebo (dummy) injection.

The active drug in Wegovy is semaglutide. This is available to treat obesity in tablet form (Rybelsus) and as an injection (Wegovy). The problem is that the results with the tablet are currently not nearly as good as when semaglutide is injected.

Mounjaro (tirezepatide) is also self-administered at home once a week. We'll provide you with all the equipment you need to do this, including ultra-fine needles and a sharps bin.

The injections are given just under the skin in the abdomen, arm or upper thigh. You don't have to be a doctor or a nurse to do this. In this video, our nurse, Davina, gives you step-by-step instructions on how to take the injection.

Semaglutide has two main benefits. One is that it helps bring diabetes under control. The other is that it causes weight loss (especially at higher doses).

The manufacturers of semaglutide obtained two separate licenses, one for each kind of treatment. Semaglutide used to treat diabetes is branded Ozempic. However, when it is used under a license to treat obesity, it is branded Wegovy.

While both Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, Ozempic is not available at the higher 1.7mg and 2.4mg doses. It's these higher doses that have been shown to be most effective for weight loss.

At SemaPen, we made a conscious decision not to offer Ozempic for weight loss. We felt that to do this would be unethical profiteering. Predictably, the use of Ozempic for weight loss led to a shortage of the drug for patients who needed it to treat their diabetes.

No.

Wegovy is designed to mimic a single hormone in the body (GLP-1). Mounjaro does a dual job by mimicking two hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) that help with blood glucose levels and weight loss.

Despite their different approaches, both medications are administered once a week.

Yes.

We always make sure Wegovy is in stock in the UK to ensure our patients experience no disruptions in their treatment. Your health and continuity of care are our top priorities. Through the SemaPen programme, we are dedicated to providing reliable access to Wegovy for all our patients.

Wegovy and Mounjaro are approved for use on the NHS. However, few centres are currently able to prescribe it. This is because decisions are being made about how it will be delivered and funded.

Furthermore, NICE has advised that NHS patients must have a BMI greater than 35 and at least one weight-related medical condition such as type 2 diabetes.² It is only under exceptional circumstances that the NHS will prescribe weight loss injections to people with a BMI of 30 to 35, even if they do have medical conditions.

These criteria are significantly stricter than those possible under the Wegovy and Mounjaro licenses. These allow self-funded treatment for patients with BMIs as low as 27 to 30.

Wegovy was trialled in a major study that saw participants

• increase physical activity (150 minutes of walking each week)
• reduce food intake by 500 kcal a day
• and take Wegovy for a year. 

On average, these participants lost 15% of their starting weight after 12 months.³

In a similar trial, people who took Mounjaro saw weight loss of over 21%.⁴ However, Mounjaro was also associated with transient hair thinning and reduced efficacy of the contraceptive pill.

Remember, 15-21% weight loss was the average outcome (some lost more, and some less) using medication in combination with a closely monitored support programme.

This is why the 12-month SemaPen programme gives you a much better chance of success than just buying the injections without proper support.

Weight regain is common.

Clinical studies show that if Wegovy is taken for 12 months and then stopped, a year later people have regained two-thirds of the weight they'd lost on the treatment.⁵

The implication of this is that because obesity is a chronic condition, Wegovy and Mounjaro will need to be taken long-term. In this way, they're just like any other treatment for chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Towards the end of your SemaPen programme, we will discuss cost-effective solutions to continue on the medications and minimise weight regain.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is almost (94%) identical to GLP-1, a natural hormone that is released by the body after eating.

GLP-1 is one of several hormones that regulate food intake and appetite – the body's way of stopping us from putting on too much weight.

In today's fast-food, less physically active environment, it's easy to see how this natural defence against obesity can be overwhelmed.

By mimicking the effect of GLP-1, Wegovy targets a specific region in the brain responsible for appetite control, reducing feelings of hunger. It also slows stomach emptying, which makes you feel full for longer – because you are full!

Furthermore, Wegovy has beneficial effects on blood sugar and insulin levels, which also help control the desire to eat.

So, it's no surprise that people taking Wegovy find it much easier to decrease their calorie intake by reducing portion size and eating less often.

Mounjaro works in a similar way to Wegovy.

Like Wegovy, Mounjaro also promotes the beneficial effects of GLP-1. However, it also promotes the action of a second hormone called GIP. This gives an extra boost to weight loss.

GIP also tends to counteract nausea, which is a common side effect of drugs that mimic GLP-1.

Absolutely not!

The treatments don't alter the taste of food. They work by suppressing your appetite.

You'll also start to feel full much sooner than normal. This dual action makes it much easier to avoid snacking and to control the size of your main meals.

You can still enjoy the food you eat. The injections simply make it easier to control your calorie intake.

Like all medications, Wegovy and Mounjaro may cause side effects.

The most common include nausea, bloating and constipation (occasionally accompanied by abdominal cramps).

This is because one of the ways Wegovy and Mounjaro work is by slowing down how fast the stomach and intestine empty. This is what helps us feel full more quickly and for longer.

Persistent vomiting can lead to dehydration. This usually happens when people rush up to a higher dose pen too quickly or overeat, despite feeling fuller. It's really important to avoid this.

Side effects are typically worse when starting treatment and for the first few days after moving to a higher dose pen.

Provided that the strength of each pen is gradually increased, most people (more than 95%) find side effects fairly easy to tolerate, particularly as they tend to improve over time.

However, if they persist, it's important to seek medical advice.

Get detailed information in our guide to Wegovy and Mounjaro side effects.

This is a bit of an urban myth.

Since semaglutide was approved in the USA in 2017, there has never been a single case of cancer reported in humans that was thought to be related to taking the treatment.

It all comes from studies in rats that showed a risk of a rare kind of non-lethal thyroid tumour (C-cell tumour). Rats are particularly susceptible to developing this tumour when taking GLP-1 drugs.

No other types of tumours were noted.

The relevance to humans is thought to be low. However, to err on the side of safety, we don't allow people with a history of thyroid cancer to join the SemaPen programme.

Weight loss injections should not be used when pregnant.

Rapid weight loss could be linked to poor fetal development and, possibly, an increased risk of miscarriage.

The safest advice is that all women who can have children should use contraception when treated with Wegovy or Mounjaro.

There is also evidence that using Mounjaro can make oral contraceptive pills less effective. That's why it's a good idea to consider alternative contraceptives while taking Mounjaro.

If you do get pregnant, you must stop taking Wegovy or Mounjaro immediately.

If you wish to become pregnant, you must discontinue Wegovy or Mounjaro at least two months before you plan to conceive.

Semaglutide is known to be excreted in milk. So, to reduce any possible risk to your infant, do not take Wegovy or Mounjaro if you are breastfeeding.

Unfortunately, yes.

The major clinical trials proving the value of semaglutide³ and tirzepatide⁴ for weight loss did not include any patients with diabetes.

There have been other studies that looked at how the drugs worked for people with diabetes. The participants in these studies lost a good amount of weight – but not as much as people without diabetes.⁶

A small number of case reports in Iceland and the USA have raised the question of whether there is a potential link between the use of GLP-1 agonists and thoughts of self-harm.

At the time of writing, the number of reports is tiny compared with the number of people treated with Wegovy and Mounjaro – and no causal association has been demonstrated.

A large study of nearly 300,000 adults in Sweden and Denmark found no increased risk of suicide death for those starting GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, small risks couldn't be completely ruled out.

We will monitor your mental health during your time on the SemaPen programme using special self-assessment questionnaires. In the unlikely event that you experience any suicidal thoughts while on treatment, our advice is to stop treatment and seek urgent help from your family doctor or mental health practitioner.

Wegovy and Mounjaro can cause problems if taken with certain diabetes drugs. That's why we don't allow people taking these drugs to join the SemaPen programme. (See 'Can people with diabetes join the SemaPen programme?')

Clinical studies have shown no other relevant drug interactions with Wegovy. However, Mounjaro has been found to make the contraceptive pill less effective.

Extremely.

If you have a past or current history of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, you are strictly not allowed to join the SemaPen programme.

It could lead to significant malnutrition and even death.

For this reason, we ask all potential SemaPen patients to formally confirm:

• They do not have a history of an eating disorder
• That the information they have provided regarding height and weight is accurate
• Their age and identity using a biometric ID check cross-referenced to photo ID
• Their GP contact details, so we can check whether the GP has any concerns about the patient starting weight loss injections

What's more, if you fail to

• provide GP details
• register your smart scales or
• record regular weight readings (after prompting)

your account will be suspended within three months and no further medication will be issued.

Finally, our algorithms can detect excessive weight loss. If this is detected, one of our team will reach out to assess and provide support.

While it's impossible to completely prevent an individual from circumventing these measures, we hope these processes will minimise that risk and alert people to the dangers.

As with any new medication, it's important that regulatory authorities are made aware of any unexpected or unusual side effects as soon as possible.

Wegovy and Mounjaro appear to be extremely safe and have been in widespread use in many countries for some time. However, should you notice any unusual side effects, please message our team via the SemaPen app or through live chat. You can also self-report side effects using the UK government's yellow card scheme.

This is an area where we don't yet have clear guidance. Apart from a few case studies, there is very little evidence available on the subject.

Before surgery under anaesthetic, patients are usually told not to eat or drink for 12 hours or so. The main concern is aspiration at the start of anaesthesia. In other words, patients may vomit or regurgitate stomach contents, which can trigger severe breathing difficulties.

We know that GLP-1 injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro slow stomach emptying. The question is whether this increases the risk of aspiration under anaesthesia. The short answer is that we don't know.

The clearest advice we have yet is from the American College of Anesthesiologists. It says patients taking GLP-1 injections for weight loss or diabetes should consider stopping the medication one week before surgery.

If surgery is planned under local anaesthetic (in other words, you'll be awake during the operation) there is no need to stop Wegovy or Mounjaro beforehand.