A health expert has issued a warning to Brits currently taking injectable weight loss medication, following an outbreak of 'super flu' across the country.
Fallen ill in the last couple of weeks with a cold which feels completely unlike anything else you've ever had before?
You're not the only one, as an aggressive new strain of flu, dubbed H3N2 or subclade K, is currently sweeping through the country.
The symptoms of this new flu don't differ too much from other colds and winter illnesses - which include body aches, runny noses, a cough and fever - but differs in the speed and severity at which symptoms develop.
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It's also causing havoc in hospitals across the country as patients are admitted with complications, and experts believe we are nowhere near the peak of the outbreak.
Which is wonderful news in the run-up to Christmas!
And it's particularly bad news for anyone who's currently using GIP and GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, as the users are now urged to follow specific advice if they come down with the illness.
"With thousands already estimated to have the flu and more people than ever on weight loss injections in the UK, many may be facing flu season while on their medication for the first time," Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy and weight loss expert at Chemist4U, explained.
"If you're unable to eat or drink normally, taking a medication like Mounjaro or Wegovy that reduces appetite could make flu recovery more difficult."
This is because your body needs nutrients to fight off infection, so a reduced food intake means it may take longer for the virus to leave your system.
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Murphy noted there is some overlap between the side effects of Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic - the latter of which is not licensed for weight loss - and the flu, and warned users to be on the lookout for 'red flag symptoms' should they start to feel under the weather.
In particular, he warns people to be cautious of a sudden loss of appetite, as using weight loss jabs on top of that could lead to dehydration or malnutrition.
"If you start to feel unwell and your illness makes it difficult to eat three meals per day, or it's generally impacting your appetite, it's recommended to skip a dose until fully recovered," he cautioned.
"Without adequate food and liquids, you won't be getting the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to fight infection."
According to the NHS, symptoms of dehydration include feeling dizzy, lightheaded, passing dark yellow urine and fatigue. Severe or prolonged cases of dehydration can lead to complications such as kidney issues, seizures and, in some cases, death.
He added that patients who fall ill while on the medication should also consider taking electrolyte drinks in order to boost hydration, which is 'crucial' when taking Mounjaro and Wegovy.
A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk told LADbible in a statement: "Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider.
"Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk and we recommend that any patients experiencing side effects while taking Novo Nordisk GLP-1 receptor agonists report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. Adverse events should also be reported to Novo Nordisk via the Customer Care Centre by calling 0800 023 2573."
LADbible has also contacted Eli Lily for comment.
Brenna Cooper