Ozempic and Mounjaro have a few side effects in common, but only one of them is getting rolled out as a weight loss drug across the UK.
Next week marks phase one of the NHS' Mounjaro rollout in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Even though people in England can currently apply for Mounjaro through NHS specialist weight management clinics, more patients may be able to get it through their local GP.
There is a caveat, however, with there being a limit of 220,000 people who may be offered Mounjaro over the next three years.
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You'll also need to qualify for certain health conditions, such as 'Type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea', and have a BMI of between 35-39.9, according to the Oxford Online Pharmacy.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro or tirzepatide is primarily a prescription medication catered for patients with Type-2 diabetes. When injected, the drug lowers blood sugar levels and reduces appetites, making you feel full for longer.
Although in the UK, it will now be prescribed as a weight-loss drug on a larger scale next Monday (23 June).
How is Mounjaro different to Ozempic?
While both drugs pretty much do the same thing, Mounjaro can be prescribed for weight loss in the UK, whereas Ozempic can only be prescribed for patients with Type-2 diabetes and is not a weight loss drug.
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Ozempic's manufacturer Novo Nordisk told LADbible that Ozempic is a 'prescription only medicine and requires a healthcare professional to prescribe under strict supervision'.
This remains the case even though semaglutide, the chemical present in Ozempic, is officially licensed for weight loss under the name Wegovy.
According to SingleCare, Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of heart problems, such as strokes and heart attacks, in those with Type-2 diabetes and heart disease, while Mounjaro has not.
Mounjaro, instead, is mainly made up of the tirzepatide chemical.
What are the common side effects of Mounjaro and Ozempic?
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According to Diabetes UK, the common side effects of both drugs include:
• Feeling sick
• Diarrhoea
• Risk of low blood sugar
• Risk of high blood sugar
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Mounjaro's manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company told LADbible in a statement: "A list of known side effects is given in the Mounjaro (tirzepatide) patient information leaflet. Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority.
"We take any reports about patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) should only be used when prescribed by a healthcare professional and prescriptions should be fulfilled and supplied by registered pharmacies and providers.
"We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional to discuss any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."
GPs issue warning before Mounjaro rollout
GPs have warned that they won't be able to prescribe Mounjaro to all patients, according to The Sun.
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“NHS provision won’t meet demand straight away,” said Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association.
“In reality, many GPs lack the bandwidth to deliver the level of support needed. We expect that many people will continue seeking it privately.”
Meanwhile, Highfield Surgery in Blackpool added: “We are currently receiving a significant increase in the numbers of patients requesting help with weight management.
“A lot of these requests seem to stem from the current interest and information in mainstream or social media regarding the use of GLP-1 injections.
“Currently GPs are unable to prescribe these injections.”
LADbible Group has contactedOzempic's manufacturer Novo Nordisk for comment.
Anish Vij