Where can I buy semaglutide in the UK?

While weight loss medications have been around for years, semaglutide is a particularly exciting medical weight loss drugs thanks to its effectiveness.

So, what is there to know about semaglutide and where can you access this weight loss medication? This comprehensive guide will help you understand more about this drug, how it works and how to access a prescription. 

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a weight loss and chronic weight management medication that can be used in conjunction with lifestyle interventions. This medication is the active ingredient in Ozempic, which is licensed to treat diabetes in the UK, and Wegovy, which is used to treat obesity.

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which mimics the naturally occurring hormone that works to increase insulin secretion, reduce blood sugar levels and slows down gastric emptying [1].

Where can I buy semaglutide in the UK?

Semaglutide in the form of Wegovy can be acquired through a prescription in the UK. Juniper's Weight Reset Programme uses Wegovy as its tool for weight management along with a carefully tailored support team to help you meet your goals. 

This means you'll be able to access 1:1 health tracking, and lifestyle and health coaching and interact with Juniper's private community of women who are on the same journey as you while also receiving the medication.

Keep in mind that Wegovy isn't suitable for everyone and there are eligibility requirements for this medication.

How does it work for weight loss?

Wegovy is a once-weekly self-administered injection, which comes in a variety of strengths: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg, and 2.4mg. Your prescriber will start you at the lowest dose of medication and you generally increase the strength over a period of weeks.

Semaglutide mimics a natural hormone produced in the body called glucagon-like peptide 1, which is produced by the digestive system after eating food and acts on the brain to regulate the feeling of fullness after meals [2]. It also helps to reduce the rate at which your stomach empties food after a meal (a.k.a gastric emptying).

The longer this process takes, the longer food remains in the stomach leaving the patient feeling fuller for longer. Therefore, they'll be consuming fewer calories during the day.

Plus, semaglutide and similar drugs have effects that extend beyond the stomach. This drug will also intervene with GLP-1 receptors that are found in the hypothalamus (an important part of the brain that regulates food intake in the central nervous system). 

Is semaglutide suitable for me?

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (which is prescribed under the name Wegovy), is typically suitable for those who have a medical history of obesity and for those who are significantly overweight.

Typically, these medications will be prescribed if you have a BMI (body mass index) over 35 or in some cases, over 30. You can be assessed online or might need to go into a clinic face-to-face to have a conversation about starting your weight loss treatment. 

For those who might have struggled to lose weight in the past, support and medication can be the helping hand patients need to hit their weight loss goals.

What are the benefits of semaglutide?

If you think semaglutide or Wegovy only supports weight loss, you’d be surprised. This medication offers a stack of other great health benefits that aren’t only limited to losing weight. Some benefits include:

Assists the pancreas with blood sugar

Semaglutide helps the pancreas release more insulin when your blood sugar is high. This means when you eat something and your blood sugar levels rise, your pancreas responds quicker and releases more insulin to lower and improve blood sugar levels to their optimal state [3].

Helps your body regulate appetite

Semaglutide aka Wegovy works by regulating the part of the brain that controls hunger and appetite and acts in the body as a natural hormone would. If you have a dramatically reduced appetite, that will automatically put the body into a calorie deficit [4].

Helps prevent the liver from storing too much sugar and fat

When your blood sugar stays higher for longer, it causes your liver to turn it into glycogen and will store this form of sugar in the liver and the muscles. This can happen when your blood sugar falls too low or you engage in vigorous exercise.

Slows the process of food leaving the stomach

As gastric emptying slows, your digestive system breaks down food at a slower rate and your cells will be powered at a smoother and slower rate, rather than at large peaks and troughs. This also keeps you fuller for longer.

Reduces the risk of cardiovascular events

Particularly for those with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide helps lower your risk of having a stroke or a heart attack and assists with lowering your risk of suffering from conditions like sleep apnoea, heart disease and high blood pressure.

As your body weight decreases you'll generally become healthier.

Treatment for those who have exhausted all options

Semaglutide is a great option for those who feel they have exhausted all other weight loss options. When used alongside lifestyle changes, a weekly semaglutide injection can kick-start weight loss.

How do I administer semaglutide?

Many semaglutide medications, including Wegovy, are administered via an injection under the skin (subcutaneously) either around your stomach, thigh or upper arm once a week [8].

Never inject in the same site twice as you don't want to risk infection and always check the patient information leaflet that comes in the packaging with the GLP-1 pens. Try and stick to a usual injection day.

Once you start on the weekly weight loss injection, you'll be administering the lowest dose. This allows your body to adjust to the medication and lowers the chance of unwanted side effects.

Over time, you’ll increase your dose and eventually end up on a sustainable maintenance dose. The starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25mg once per week and you can move on to your next dose once your body gets used to the GLP-1 pen. Your prescriber will advise you when you can move to the next dose.

What if I miss a dose?

It is recommended you take your forgotten dose as soon as possible (within 5 days of the missed dose). However, if it's almost time for your next injection, disregard the missed shot and continue with the scheduled dosing.

Finding a weight loss plan that works for you 

If you'd like to kick-start your weight loss using semaglutide but don’t know where to start, there’s a lot of information out there online. So, why not speak to an expert online to find out if this drug is the right fit for you? 

Juniper's Weight Reset Programme includes tailored treatments, personalised medication and lifestyle coaching. You'll even be able to engage with a positive and motivating community where everyone is working towards the same common goal. Our holistic program works in 3 key ways: 

• A biological reset: GLP-1 medications, like Wegovy, help reduce the appetite hormone and in turn, lower your body's set point.
• A behaviour reset: Experienced professionals will help you every step of the way. You'll learn how to keep a healthy diet, you'll learn more about the benefits of exercise and receive physical activity counselling. The main focus will be implementing habits that stick with you long-term.
• The community: Studies show that people who engage in a community group will achieve great weight loss than those who do it alone [5].

When it comes to losing weight, having the right support and tools on hand is key to success. By pairing medication with the right holistic health coaching, you can kick start your weight loss goal and reach your goal weight, once and for all.