Have you been considering medicated weight loss? Ask the MedExpress experts your questions!

[CeriMumsnet]

The demand for online pharmacies is growing, offering great convenience for busy mums and those looking for a safe, clinically supervised treatment journey. However, the volume of information around this topic can seem overwhelming and many are unsure where to start or who to trust.

So if you’ve been considering starting your weight loss journey with the support of medication, we’re working with MedExpress to give you the opportunity to have your questions answered by behavioural neuroscientist Dr Sophie Dix, and GP Dr Kavir Matharu.

Just pop your questions in the thread below and the MedExpress experts will be online next month to respond. Everyone who shares their questions by 2nd July will be in with a chance to win a £200 voucher (T&Cs).

About Sophie:
Dr Sophie Dix is a behavioural neuroscientist. Working within the pharmaceutical industry, the charity sector and health technology, she has spent the last 25 years dedicated to understanding how to manage and treat conditions affecting the mind and body. Sophie is passionate about evidence and ensuring that those affected by illness have access to the right treatment at the right time.

About Kavir
Dr Kavir Matharu is a GP working in the NHS and Health Tech. She has had a varied career so far, working in Healthcare Consulting, Health Education Reform and Policy work, and has had experience in various different medical specialties throughout her training. Kavir enjoys providing holistic and proactive care, and is particularly passionate about empowering patients through patient education.

This is fine

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Your bio mentions you are passionate about patient education. What do you include in patient education with regard weight loss and the medicated route?

Thanks to everyone who's posted so far - some really brilliant questions for our experts on here. There's still time to post a question if there's anything else you'd like to know!

Dr Kavir and Dr Sophie will be online from 11 July to share their answers.

In the meantime you can find out more about Mumsnetters' own experiences with MedExpress and medicated weight loss in our live Ask the Community here!

That’s a bit crap, after ten days everyone will have forgotten what they asked in the thread!

Hello, can you take a 'tester dose' to see if you have significant side effects which would make taking it too difficult ?

What about those of who are being called “super responders”?

I had total appetite loss on 2.5mg; I really struggled to get 600 calories a day. I have started doing 1.25mg x2 weekly which I know is off license and that is working better, I’m averaging 1300 calories and 90g protein.

is this a thing or am I a walking placebo? I’m on week 4.

Hi @simsbustinoutmimi we appreciate every one of your responses. Due to the sensitive and specific nature of some of the questions, the MedExpress experts want to ensure they give each question the time and consideration they deserve. As such, all questions will be answered by 11th of July, and the experts will be online to respond to any follow-ups as required. We hope you understand, and appreciate your patience!🙏

Hi I have considered weight loss injections as I'm classed as obese, I'm 60 and on Rivaroxaban for life, to prevent blood clots as I've had 2 in the past. I have severe arthritis, fibromyalgia. I'm desperate to lose weight for my health. Would I be able to use weight loss injections

Hello, if you get to your happy weight at 7.5 - I have heard you are best to keep taking the medication, and go back down the doses to help your body get used to not taking the WLI's, if so should I stop taking the 7.5 how quickly should I go back down the WLI's ?

The maintenance dose after your goal weight - do you think this will be sustainable if bought on subscription at a 2.5 or lower ?

What is the best way to transport your WLI's if you are going abroad, and would you recommend just planning ahead with your doses (going back down to 2.5) and missing a week, if you cannot be sure that you can't keep your pen cool enough ?

Do you also supply an exercise plan for trying to keep your body from looking saggy, I want to loose weight slowly, this eliminating as much excess skin as I can (I am 4 stone overweight) and am worried mostly about my thighs which are the biggest. Thank you

What's your views on taking laxatives if your side effects include constipation - this seems to be widespread, should providers stipulate that a certain amount of water and fibre should be included daily to prevent the need for laxatives ? TY

I use asda pharmacy as I can collect from a cooled environment, how you you ensure that the medicine comes at the correct temperature, and as I work full time does it need to be signed for or if left in the home by the carrier how do I know it will be kept at the correct temperature for hours ?
thank you

Can I keep my pen in my cosmetic mini fridge, I don't want to let my family know I am taking weight loss injections, and the won't find my pen in their, plus it's safer than my family fridge. ?

There seem to be no As to these Qs despite it being 11 July.

Does this mean the MHRA has told you to stop advertising prescription only medicines to the public?

My pen arrived on Saturday, with the packing around it to keep it cool, but the pen did not feel cold, it was at 'aired' - I put it straight into the refrigerator - would you use it - I've contacted my provider for advice also.

They’re not coming back. Said the questions would be answered on the 11th.

www.asa.org.uk/news/how-we-re-trimming-down-problem-ads-for-weight-loss-prescription-only-medicines.html

Well, well, well.

“We are also monitoring weight-loss POM ads in other channels including organic content, adding to our intelligence and taking action as needed”

Perhaps this will affect the poorly disguised adverts that MN insists is just normal posters on the discount codes forum.

Hi @Britanniaa This can be tricky, and is why it's so important to build healthy routines while on a weight loss journey - like eating balanced meals, moving your body more, and finding ways to manage stress or emotional eating - so that these habits become part of your everyday life.

If someone has reached their goal weight, doctors may suggest slowly lowering the dose over time. Any changes to a treatment plan must be made with oversight from a healthcare professional. Always speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about stopping or changing any medication.

Research shows that people can gain back some or all of the weight after stopping their weight loss treatment plan. That's because the medicine supports changes that can be hard to keep up on your own. Focusing on long-term habits, setting small goals, staying active, and noticing how much better you feel can all help with motivation. Lifestyle, routines, and habits built during treatment will support long-term goal management. A little weight coming back doesn't mean failure - it's just a sign to refocus and keep going.

Hi @ohdannyboy It's great that you are thinking about your health and confidence. Starting a weight loss journey is a big step, and you are not alone in thinking about cost and results.

Everyone's body responds differently. Some people notice changes at the lower doses, while others find the effects more noticeable at higher doses. The 2.5 mg dose is usually the starting point that helps the body adjust, rather than being the dose that causes big changes.

However, even at lower doses, many people find that they feel fewer cravings and are more in control of their eating. This can support the management of consistent weight loss. People also mention they save money in other areas, for example, buying fewer snacks or takeaways, which can help balance things out a bit.

Weight loss is different for everyone. What matters most is building healthy habits along the way that help you feel good and stay motivated.

Hi @HobNobAddict Well done on your progress; this is a real achievement. You're right, the health benefits can be life-changing.

You've also made the really important point that mindset matters just as much as food choices and portion control. Keeping a healthy mindset around weight loss can help you stay focused and positive in the long term.

Try and set small and realistic goals, not just around weight, but around movement, sleep, and energy. It's also important to celebrate the non-scale victories, like feeling fitter, sleeping better, or having more energy. Don't be too hard on yourself, as weight naturally goes up and down a bit, and that's okay. Remind yourself why you started, especially on the tough days.

It's also good to remember that weight is affected by lots of things, including our genes and hormones. As a multi-factorial chronic condition, it is not just about willpower, and you are not alone in finding it hard. Our hunger and fullness hormones are determined by our genetics and lifestyle habits, which play a role when considering long-term management of obesity. Having a holistic view of managing your weight is important to address habits and behaviours to support long-term management. Mindset is something that takes time to build, just like any other habit. Keep going, and don't be afraid to reach out for support if you need it.

Hi @Ilostmyhalo This is such a powerful question and one that many people will relate to. You're not alone.

Struggling to stop after just one snack isn't about being weak. There are many reasons this happens. Scientists know that genetics, brain chemistry, past experiences, and your environment all play a role. Highly processed foods (like crisps, chocolate, and ice cream) can trigger reward pathways in your brain, making it hard to stop at just one.

Many people get caught in a cycle: eating for comfort, then feeling guilty, then eating again to cope with those feelings. This is common in binge eating, and it’s not your fault. Some people find that talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) help them understand and change unhelpful patterns around food. Others try things like keeping tempting foods out of easy reach, planning meals and snacks ahead of time, writing down small wins each week, and reaching out for support when things feel tough.

If you ever slip up, that's okay. What matters most is not giving up. You've already taken a huge first step by recognising the pattern.