Dietitian Explains Weight Loss Medication Available in the UK & NHS

Hello, my name is Rob.

I'm a chronic conditions dietitian from Cardiff in the UK. I hope you'll join me as I share my learning and development on this channel. Each week I'll explore a topic from the world of health and nutrition.

This week I've been researching weight loss medications available in the UK. These include:

• Orlistat (Xenical & Alli)
• Naltrexone-Bupropion (Mysimba)
• Liraglutide (Saxenda)
• Semaglutide (Ozempic)

This is a fascinating area of scientific development and provides alternative treatment options for those living with obesity. Although these medications have proven quite effective, it is important to understand that diet and lifestyle changes still play a significant part of long-term health improvement.

Please note: This video is not medical advice and is only intended to evidence my professional development. If you require diet support please ask your GP for a dietetic referral.

Cheers!

[harryandnatalia]

Great video mate... I'm a weight coach for the NHS and my patients are always asking about these medications 💊 I really enjoy your video's and find them very informative. I'll definitely recommend your YouTube channel to my patients.
Thanks
Harry

[Craftylisa]

Thankyou so much for this information. I’m a bariatric patient. I had a gastric sleeve 5 years ago and maintained a 6 stone weight loss for 4 half years then due to other health issues was put on various medications to try and control persistent pain. Gabapentin and pregabalin and then opioids. I gained 1/half stone which was really distressing. I’ve managed to come off the opioids and am now on Duloxetine for the pain which is very effective thankfully. I’ve started Saxenda through the online pharmacy paying for it. In one week I’ve lost 3 lbs which is fantastic for me. Yes I do have side effects but I will cope with those . I’m currently seeing if my bariatric team will be able to prescribe me as it is very expensive. Please continue to update us on all things weight management that is safe here in the UK. Much appreciated a new subbie .

[HogwartsBasement]

Semiglutide can be prescribed privately in the uk for weight loss 😀 x

[lessard]

Saxanda lost 40 pounds in 2 1/2 months, another 35 to go to get to 185 pounds, my healthy weight, miraculous, so happy, but I also started walking and training 7 days a week during that time.

[HhAndoussi]

I started liraglutide saxenda 5 days ago. I have noticed i dont get hungry as much so my intake has reduced. I havent seen any weight loss on the scale but my husb has noticed i look slimmer or different.

[coralmclaughlin]

Saxenda is not available for an NHS prescription in Scotland. It costs about £50 per pen to purchase on a private prescription.

[Boemboembaby]

In the Netherlands, saxenda is available per box of 5 pens and is 275 euro. For me, it works amazingly. Lost almost 25lbs in 2 months! I have PCOS, but my GP can't prescribe it. It has to be a specialist. However, it works wonders, so the trouble it works it. I do not have any side effects at 1, 8mg/day. I don't go any higher, as this works fine for me. Still have 20lbs to go to reach my goal weight. Then I am cleared for fertility programs.

[britvic]

The fat binders are lethal! I didn't dare eat anything incase I 💩 myself again. I know people who have tried it also and had plenty of "accidents". The saxender gave me migraines, reflux and I felt so sick. I did this privately and was encouraged just to keep going despite being unable to function whilst using the injection. The only medication that ever worked for me was Sibutramine (Reductil). My god that stuff was amazing! It wasn't like an amphetamine rush but I was awake mentally and firing on all cylinders for once. Lots of energy without being jittery, just wasn't hungry at all. I lost 7lb in the first week and after 3 month's dropped 3 dress sizes. My anxiety and depression were minimal (this medication was first marketed as an antidepressant) lots of energy so I was also working out and with the lack of anxiety I was leaving my house, having a social life etc. They then banned it as it was dangerous. I was gutted! This was the only thing that ever worked for me as someone who comfort eats due to my mental health.

[Loubell_]

Hi, I'm considering Saxenda. Cam you help me understand what happens when you stop taking the medication? Will the cravings etc just come back or will they be lessened ?

[chilleddj]

Thanks Rob. I work as a dietitian in Scotland, and saxenda was recently approved. Any good meta-analyses, studies, resources that you might recommend for reading?

[lavanianaicker]

Ozempic is great my body adapted to it very well with no side effects and I lost alot of weight and also controlled my diabetes 💕Thank you for the great review

[shazanakhan]

I'm 66kg and need to lose 18kg to be in my ideal weight range. I was 105kg and lost this with D +E, but its been difficult. I'm diabetic type 2 since having my son in 2019. It's free on the nhs for me but my gp is being cheap, delaying everything and I'm an emotional stress eater and scared I'm going to jump to 70kg from 66. I've been waiting for 2 weeks and prior to this, I've enquired about it for 2 years now with no response telling me only diabetic specialist nurses can prescribe this.

[natashacassar]

Hi I have tried Saxenda and this worked for me however I could not afford to keep using this. Do you think if I contacted my gp they would help prescribe it? Meanwhile I am thinking Of trying Mysimba but alittle scared of side affects and not sure how safe it is. I do not have any underlying conditions

[angelorion]

I am at my wit's end atm. Need to lose around 30kg in 3 months so I can be okayed for surgery. Problem is, my health conditions and disabilities kinda get in the way of me losing weight and I have no idea what to try next. I have hypothyroidism, hypermobility that causes subluxation, chronic radiculopathy, ME/CFS, Endometriosis, asthma and a painfully large chest. I've tried so many diets, trying to recover from a restrictive eating disorder and used to do weight lifting and martials arts before my health got worse. I'd really appreciate any advice on what to try next?

[maginotu]

I tried Orlistat several years ago when It first appeared. I didn't stay on it very long. You mentioned fatty stools as a side effect but that is not the worst of it. You can experience oily leakage that you can't even feel. I first became aware of this when I noticed oil stains on the seat of my pants. You mentioned also that catastrophic experiences can happen if you eaty fatty food. I remember the hamburger and French fries meal that I ate after taking an Orlistat tablet. Within 20 minutes after finishing this meal, I experienced what could ohly be described as an explosive dischage from my gut. 10 times worse than any diarrhea. Once this happens you will be absolutely terrified of eating anything that has even a scap of fat. I could not pass by the restaurant where I ate this meal for several years without feeling PTSD. I quickly quit Orlistat.