Do you have questions around medicated weight loss and weight-related health conditions? Ask ZAVA’s medical expert - £100 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Medicated weight loss treatments are a major topic of conversation on Mumsnet right now, with many of you sharing experiences and finding support across the talkboards. We’ve found that lots of you have questions around starting medicated weight loss treatments when living with weight-related health conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.

That’s why we’ve invited ZAVA’s medical expert, Dr Clair Grainger, to answer your questions and share general medical insights around this topic.
Share your question on the below thread and Dr Clair will be online in a few weeks with answers. Everyone who posts by 12 August will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 voucher. (T&Cs apply).

About the Expert
Dr Clair Grainger (MBChB, MRCGP (2017), DRCOG) studied at The University of Edinburgh from 2004 to 2009. She has worked in hospitals throughout Edinburgh and London before completing her GP training in North Middlesex Hospital in 2017. Clair is a Clinical Lead doctor and has worked at ZAVA since 2018. Her clinical interests include obesity management and women's health.

Hi, I have read conflicting information about whether weight loss medication will help reduce high blood pressure, or whether it will make it worse?

As these treatments are still relatively new, what evidence is there about the long term impact (eg do you have to keep taking them to maintain weight loss) and what interactions might that have with other health conditions?

If I taken the medication and then I come off it and put the weight back on can I go on it again?

i know someone who had bariatric surgery many years ago and has now regained all the weight. Can he go down this route now?

Im actually on weight loss medication (almost 6 stone down since beginning of year, woo) but am struggling with hair loss recently. Im wondering if its related to my thyroid issues. Any ideas what else I can do?

I don’t qualify for these treatments as my BMI isn’t high enough and I don’t have other qualifying factors. How come someone who is on the treatments who reaches the same weight/BMI that I am can continue treatment to continue losing weight?

Can you stay on a low dose if it's still working for you?

I have heard that these meds can cause pancreatitis. How can I mitigate against that while on treatment?

What does the research show about these medications and PCOS? Are they likely to be beneficial for the insulin resistance associated with this?

As the injections were originally introduced as treatment for people with diabetes - how does this medicine affect people who do not have diabetes - could it dangerously lower their current normal blood sugar levels? Would they need to keep an eye with blood glucose monitoring?

If you respond “better” ie consistent loss and fewer side effects, does this mean your body “needs” the medication more?

What is your view on maintenance? I’m 4 months on mounjaro and nearly under BMI25 now. Looking to lose another 5lbs but I’m worried about keeping it off.

Can you stay on the injections long term? Should you? I’ve heard they are developing a tablet which for me would be brilliant as a long term plan.

Mounjaro has been life changing for me. But food noise coming back is a big worry. Willpower alone isn’t enough.

thank you!

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two years ago and until recently have been using metformin only, but now another medication has been added due to my sugar levels increasing.
I am overweight and have family history of type 1.
Should I expect my GP or nurse to offer me the jabs at some point or is it something that would only happen if I asked for them?
Not sure whether I would take them if offered as I am concerned about side effects.

Do you know if the side effects get better after time?

Also, do you know if you always have to stay on it once you reach your target weight?

Does it interfere with other prescribed medications?

Do you think the injections will ever be available in tablet form in the future?

How can you carefully transition off the injections without putting on weight? Is there any ‘lite’ form of medication, like a tablet that help why the cravings to move onto instead?

What are the concerns regarding breastfeeding? Is there any possibility of impact on fertility? And how to reduce possibility of gaining the weight back again when the injections stop?

Thanks for all your great questions so far, please keep them coming if there's anything you'd like to know about medicated weight loss, particularly in relation to existing health conditions.

If you need current medical advice, contact your GP or medication provider or contact NHS111 or 999 if you have severe or unexpected symptoms.

Some users who have posted on various forums seem to have excessive weight losses weekly and are loosing lots of weight very quickly, which I can only assume would feel great for the person loosing, but would you say the side effects of loosing too quickly are dangerous long term on your vital organs, and would you step in to a client who was loosing very quickly and reduce or stop their dose on medical grounds ??

does this help with fatty liver and also to reduce fatty deposits around vital organs - I can see the fat around my body, but not the fat deposits around my organs which would be more dangerous I would have thought ??

Where do you stand on people staying on a low dose for life?
I am 53. I have been various degrees of overweight and obese (mostly obese and for a period of 5 years I was morbidly obese) for most of my adult life - losing weight never worked in the long term, I have spent my life trying. The weight always came back on.
I started my journey witht ZAVA. Currently bmi 28. Still a long way to go, but I really would like to be on a maintenance dose for life to prevent retain. Currently ZAVA don’t allow for this. Can you see this changing?

Are you able to restart once you have lost some weight and you want to loose some more after a medication break ?

What would be the best way to deal with the constipation and slow digestion should you get heartburn and bloating ?

There are many posts on here from users who are trying to circumvent the height and weight restrictions. Saying that they have taken an inch off their height or filled their pockets to appear heavier.

What are you doing to make sure these people can’t fraudulently access this medication?

This is a very good, and very important, question!!