Doctor shares five things you should know before switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy
Last week Eli Lilly announced it would hiking up the price Mounjaro weight loss jabs in the UK by an eye-watering 170 percent.
The news came as a shock to hundreds of thousands of Brits who are currently using the GLP-1 medication to help them lose weight through private prescriptions.
Under the price increase, which comes into play from September, many Mounjaro users say they won't be able to afford to keep buying the pens privately, prompting many to look into switching to competitors.
Online searches about how to swap from Mounjaro to Wegovy went up by 5500 percent in the days following the announcement and now one doctor has shared everything you need to know before considering the swap.
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Like Mounjaro, Wegovy is also a GLP-1 medication, however it is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company behind diabetes drug Ozempic, Novo Nordisk.
Always consult a clinician
According to Dr Anju Verma, Clinical Lead for the Weight Loss service at Boots Online Doctor, switching between GLP-1 medications can be done safely, as long as you seek professional guidance.
"Patients don't need to stop their treatment or start again at the lowest dose. Every patient’s medical history, weight loss goals and co-existing conditions are different, so consulting with a clinician is essential to guide any adjustments needed over time," she told LADbible.
“If moving to a new provider, it’s important to share a full medical history, including any previous use of weight loss medicines. This helps keep treatment safe and consistent.”
Dose equivalence is key
The most important thing to ensure there are no sudden fluctuations in weight loss or gain is to work out the equivalent doses correctly, which a medical professional will do for you.
For example, the lowest dose of Mounjaro is 2.5mg, however the equivalent of this on Wegovy is a dose of just 0.25mg.
Dr Verma explained: "Matching a new medicine to a patient's existing dose helps keep weight loss progress on track and avoids unnecessary fluctuations in treatment. A clinician can check the current Mounjaro dosage and recommend a Wegovy dose that keeps things continuous. They’ll also monitor response to make sure the transition is smooth and medically supervised.”
Be aware of possible side effects
Both GLP-1 medications have had similar side effects reported by users, but some people have already switched between the two drugs in the past after discovering that one made them experience fewer symptoms than the other.
“Mounjaro and Wegovy are weekly injection pens and work in similar ways to support weight loss," Dr Verma continued.
"While both are generally well tolerated, patients might experience nausea, digestive changes or other side effects. Knowing what to expect, and having professional support available, makes side effects easier to manage.”
Only use medicine from regulated, trusted sources
While many medical professionals have expressed their concerns about fake jabs being sold on the black market to unsuspecting patients looking for cheap alternatives, Dr Verma says its absolutely vital people only buy their weight loss pens from regulated sources.
“It’s vital that patients avoid buying Mounjaro from unregulated sellers or black-market sources," she said. "These can be unsafe, counterfeit or ineffective. While cheaper prices might feel tempting, ‘too good to be true’ deals often are — and shouldn't be trusted.
“The manufacturer’s price is set to increase by 170 percent. Keep in mind that prices may still differ across legitimate UK providers, as supply and service costs vary. What’s most important is using a registered pharmacy, which guarantees genuine and licensed medicine.”
Lifestyle support matters
And last but certainly not least, it doesn't matter which weight loss medication you're taking, support with making lasting lifestyle changes is what will make the biggest difference to being able to lose weight and crucially, to keep it off.
“Long-term weight loss depends on more than just medicine," Dr Verma said. "Boots Online Doctor provides resources to support healthy habits, including weekly webinars, a structured 10-week programme, exercise videos, and a podcast. These resources help patients make sustainable lifestyle changes alongside their medical treatment."
Emma Rosemurgey