FAQs

Mild side effects such as nausea or headache are relatively common and often improve as your body adapts to the medication. These usually do not require medical attention.

However, you should stop taking the medication and seek urgent medical care if you experience:

• Severe stomach pain that is intense (8 out of 10 or higher), prevents normal activities, does not respond to rest or pain relief, or spreads to your back or right shoulder

• Ongoing vomiting (three or more times per day), especially if there is blood or dark material resembling coffee grounds

• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing — these may indicate a serious allergic reaction

• Sharp pain under your right ribcage, possibly spreading to your back or shoulder, which may be accompanied by fever, nausea, or a rapid heartbeat

These symptoms could signal serious conditions such as pancreatitis or gallbladder complications and require immediate attention.

If you are unsure or need advice, please contact us — our clinical team is here to help.

It’s common to notice a small lump or mild swelling at the injection site. This is usually harmless and settles on its own within a few days.

To reduce irritation, rotate your injection sites and follow proper technique.

If the lump does not improve, becomes larger, or feels painful, contact your GP for further advice.

Common side effects often improve over time as your body adapts to the medication, so dose changes aren’t always necessary right away.

If symptoms persist or become difficult to manage, please contact us. Our clinical team may recommend staying on your current dose for longer before increasing.

You can also report any side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, the official system for monitoring medicine safety in the UK.

If you're using Mounjaro, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, as long as it’s within 4 days. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next one on your usual scheduled day.

For Wegovy, you can take the missed dose within 5 days. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and wait for your next scheduled dose.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
If you’ve missed more than one dose, please contact us to review your treatment plan before restarting.

If you become unwell with a cold or flu while taking weight-loss medication such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, you can usually continue treatment as normal. Rest, stay warm, and use over-the-counter remedies if needed.

These medications may increase your risk of dehydration, so it's important to drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

If you experience severe diarrhoea lasting more than a few days, or vomiting that prevents you from keeping down fluids or food, pause your treatment and call 111 for medical advice. Be sure to mention that you are using a weight-loss medication.

Weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro are designed for gradual, long-term results. They begin working early by helping to reduce appetite and support blood sugar control, but visible changes can take several weeks or months.

Doses are increased slowly over time to minimise side effects, and it may take until you're on a higher dose to see noticeable changes. Clinical studies show that with continued use, individuals may lose up to 15–20% of their body weight over the course of a year.

It’s also important to ensure you’re in a calorie deficit, meaning you consume fewer calories than you burn — a key factor in successful weight loss.

If you’ve been using your medication for a few weeks and have noticed no change in appetite or weight, please contact us so we can review your progress and discuss next steps.

Yes if you’re seeing progress and feel comfortable on your current dose, there is no need to increase it.

Weight-loss medications typically begin at a low dose, with planned increases every four weeks to improve effectiveness. However, if you're experiencing side effects or are satisfied with your results, it's perfectly appropriate to continue at a lower dose for longer.

You can choose to increase your dose later if and when you feel it’s needed.

If you’re due to have surgery with general anaesthesia, inform your surgical team that you are taking a GLP-1 medication, such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, during your pre-operative assessment.

You should also contact us so we can update your records and provide guidance on whether your medication should be paused before the procedure.

Side effects are most likely to occur when you first start treatment or after a dose increase. In most cases, mild symptoms such as nausea or fatigue begin to improve within a few days to a couple of weeks as your body adjusts.

If side effects become more persistent or difficult to manage, please contact us for further support and guidance.

Side effects may return or temporarily worsen when you move to a higher dose, as your body adjusts to the change. This is a common response and usually settles over time.

If symptoms become difficult to manage or don’t improve, please contact us for further advice.

Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy.

If you are planning to conceive, it’s recommended that you stop treatment at least two months before trying to become pregnant. Speak with your healthcare provider for further guidance.

Yes, if you are of childbearing age and sexually active, you should use effective contraception while using Wegovy.

Suitable options include oral contraceptive pills, implants, IUDs, or barrier methods such as condoms. This helps reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy, as Wegovy is not recommended during pregnancy.

Wegovy does not reduce the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill under normal circumstances.

However, if you experience severe vomiting within three hours of taking the pill, or diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours, the absorption of the pill may be affected. In this case, you may need a repeat dose — contact your GP or call 111 for advice.

If vomiting or diarrhoea persists, it may be advisable to use a non-oral method of contraception, such as an implant or IUD. Speak with your healthcare provider to review your options.

If you are planning a pregnancy, you should stop using Wegovy and wait at least two months after your final dose before trying to conceive.
This allows the medication to fully clear from your system before pregnancy begins. Speak to your GP or healthcare provider for personalised advice.

Wegovy is not recommended during breastfeeding.

Its effects on breastfed infants have not been fully studied, so a potential risk cannot be ruled out. If you are breastfeeding or planning to, please speak to your healthcare provider before starting or continuing treatment.

Mounjaro should not be used during pregnancy.

If you are planning to conceive, it’s advised to stop treatment at least one month before trying. Speak with your GP or healthcare provider for further guidance.

Yes, if you are of childbearing age and sexually active, you should use effective contraception while taking Mounjaro.

Because Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills, it’s recommended to use an additional barrier method such as condoms, or consider a non-oral option like an implant or IUD. Speak to your healthcare provider to choose the most suitable method.

Recent studies have shown that Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills, which can increase the risk of unintended pregnancy.

To stay protected, you should use an additional barrier method such as condoms or consider switching to a non-oral contraceptive like an implant or IUD while using Mounjaro.

If you experience vomiting within three hours of taking your pill or severe diarrhoea lasting over 24 hours, the pill may not be fully absorbed. In these cases, contact your GP or call 111 for guidance and consider a repeat dose.

If symptoms persist, a non-oral method may be more reliable. Speak to your healthcare provider to review your options.

If you’re planning a pregnancy, you should stop taking Mounjaro and wait at least one month after your final dose before trying to conceive.

This allows time for the medication to clear from your system. Speak with your GP or healthcare provider for personalised advice.

Mounjaro is not recommended during breastfeeding.

It is not yet known whether the medication passes into breast milk, so a potential risk to the infant cannot be ruled out. Speak to your healthcare provider for further advice.