A pharmacist has warned of a critical mistake that could render the new Wegovy slimming pill useless.
The tablet version of the blockbuster drug has proved popular since it was launched into private clinics in June, with waiting lists totalling 100,000 slimmers.
But experts have warned that it’s not just a case of swapping one for another.
Those who take the pill – which, like the Wegovy injections, contains semaglutide – may miss out on the benefits if they take it with food and caffeine, according to pharmacist Nasir Ali, a drug expert and co-founder of SwiftDoctor.
‘The medicine has to be absorbed through the digestive system, which means the way it is taken matters much more than it does with a jab,’ he said.
‘Many people are used to taking medication with breakfast or a cup of tea or coffee, but this can affect how well the tablets are absorbed.’
Food and drink other than water can alter the sensitive conditions inside the digestive system that are needed for the medication to enter the bloodstream, he added.
‘Take the tablet immediately after waking up and wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything other than water,’ Mr Ali advises.
The approval of the Wegovy Pill in Britain has triggered a desperate clamour among those looking to lose weight fast
‘You should also wait half an hour before taking other medicines.
‘Swallow it whole with a small amount of plain water, around 120ml and try to take it at the same time every morning.’
Mr Ali has also cautioned against purchasing the pill online, as rogue ‘chemists’ may offer a potentially dangerous medicine.
The UK drugs watchdog has previously warned that online retailers are selling counterfeit slimming jabs that contain rat poison and cement.
‘A lower price should not be the main factor when choosing where to get treatment,’ said Mr Ali.
Mr Ali is the co-founder of SwiftDoctor, a UK GP-led digital healthcare provider
‘Legitimate online pharmacies can provide access to treatment through remote consultations, but patients should make sure they are using a registered pharmacy with qualified prescribers and proper follow-up support.
‘A good provider should assess someone’s health, explain how to use the medication correctly, and offer advice if side effects occur.’
While the Wegovy tablet was approved by regulators in June, UK pharmacies started shipping out their first packs of Wegovy pills on July 7 priced at roughly £100 for a month’s supply.
Only the two lowest doses have so far been supplied by manufacturer, Novo Nordisk – 1.5mg for complete beginners and 4mg for those moving over from a low dose of Wegovy or Mounjaro injections.
The pills – taken daily, unlike the weekly jabs – are not likely to be available via the NHS for several months, while the UK drug watchdog conducts a value-for-money analysis.
According to Mr Ali, patients can expect side effects that are broadly similar to that of the injections as both treatments contain the same active ingredient.
‘The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach discomfort and a reduced appetite.
‘These symptoms are often more noticeable when someone first starts treatment or when their dose increases, as the body adjusts to the medication.
‘For many people, side effects become easier to manage over time.’
Like the injections, the Wegovy pill works by mimicking a hormone released by the gut that tells the brain it’s full, reducing appetite.
Trial results show that participants taking the pill lost around 17 per cent of their body weight, meaning it is slightly less effective than the jabs, which tend to trigger up to a 20.7 per cent reduction for the highest dose.
At least 1.6 million adults in the UK are thought to be using weight-loss jabs already, with a further 3.3 million considering taking them.
