Weight Loss Injections & Tablets

Prescription weight loss treatments are available from Superdrug Online Doctor. You’ll need to have a BMI of either:

• 27 (Mounjaro, Wegovy) or 28 (liraglutide, orlistat) or more and pre-existing weight-related health conditions such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
• 30 or more

If you’re not sure what your current BMI is, you can use our BMI calculator to check.

You can request prescription weight loss treatments from us by:

1. Completing a short, online medical questionnaire for one of our doctors to review.
2. Ordering and paying for your preferred treatment.
3. If approved, having your medication delivered in plain, unmarked packaging to your home address, or you can choose to collect it from a local Superdrug Pharmacy.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your patient account.

How do weight loss injections work?

All weight loss injections work in a similar way, depending on which active ingredient is used (liraglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide).

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) agonist. It attaches to GLP-1 receptors, mimicking the hormone. By doing this, it controls hunger levels so you eat less without feeling hungry throughout the day. It also delays the emptying of your stomach, which helps you feel fuller for longer.

Semaglutide also works by mimicking GLP-1. This affects the parts of your brain responsible for hunger, sending a signal to your brain that you are full. It also controls blood sugar levels, which helps with cravings.

Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 agonist, meaning it works the same way as liraglutide and semaglutide by controlling hunger levels and cravings. It also imitates GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide), a hormone released in the small intestine. This can improve how your body breaks down fat and sugars.

How do weight loss tablets work?

Weight loss tablets work in different ways to help you lose weight depending on the active ingredient they contain.

Orlistat, Xenical, and alli all contain the same active ingredient, orlistat which is a lipase inhibitor that blocks the absorption of up to 33% of the fat you eat. The unabsorbed fat is then excreted in waste, helping you lose weight.

Mysimba contains the active ingredients naltrexone and bupropion which work by acting on the area of the brain that controls your appetite. It is believed to work by suppressing hunger so that you eat less, curb cravings, and reduce the desire to snack.

Yes, prescription weight loss medications are safe if you purchase them from reputable sources and use them exactly as they have been prescribed. When you request any weight loss medication from Superdrug Online Doctor, our doctors will make sure it is safe for you to take.

All weight loss treatments offered by Superdrug Online Doctor will be given under the supervision of a doctor and you can reach out to them at any time if you have any questions about your treatment, via your patient account.

Weight loss injections

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is only available if you meet specific criteria, such as having a BMI of 30 or above, or at least 27 and weight-related health conditions. Mounjaro was approved by NICE in June 2024 for weight loss and it will soon be launched in the NHS over 3 phases. Clinical trials have shown that the active ingredient, tirzepatide, can help people lose up to 22.5% of their initial body weight when they have been using the highest maintenance dose of 15mg per week for 72 weeks.

Wegovy

Wegovy is a NICE approved weight loss medication for people who are overweight or obese. It’s been shown to help people lose on average 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks on the highest 2.4mg maintenance dose. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, is available on the NHS if you meet the specific criteria required to obtain it.

Liraglutide

Liraglutide, also known as the branded injection Saxenda, was approved by NICE in 2020 and is available for eligible overweight and obese people on the NHS. Research has shown an average of 8% change in body weight after 56 weeks at the maintenance dose of liraglutide.

Weight loss tablets

Orlistat

Orlistat (Xenical) is available on the NHS for treating obesity if you meet the eligibility criteria. Orlistat is safe for you if a medical professional has prescribed it or if a pharmacist has approved the over-the-counter version, alli. Clinical trials have shown that orlistat has helped 37% of people lose at least 5% of their starting body weight after 12 weeks.

Mysimba

Mysimba is only available on a private prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. It is not available on the NHS and has not been recommended by NICE. However, Mysimba is safe to take as long as it has been approved by a doctor. Although the exact mechanisms behind how Mysimba works for weight loss are not fully understood yet, research shows that people lost an average of 8.1% of their starting body weight after 56 weeks of treatment.

There are several over-the-counter weight loss treatments available. At Superdrug Online Doctor we offer alli that contains the active ingredient orlistat. It works in the same way as orlistat and Xenical by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from meals. However, alli is available at a lower 60mg dose and is available to buy over the counter at pharmacies after a pharmacist has confirmed it is safe for you.

Other over-the-counter treatments include:

• Orlos a branded version of orlistat that’s available without a prescription, similar to alli
• XLS-Medical Carb Blocker and Fat Binder are supplements that are marketed as appetite reducers that work to make you feel less hungry and should be used alongside a calorie-controlled diet and exercise to help reduce your calorie intake

Yes, there are some weight loss treatments available on the NHS. Your GP cannot prescribe weight loss injections. Instead, they will need to refer you to a specialist weight management service. Whichever treatment you are prescribed, you will need to pay the current NHS prescription charge per item, unless you are entitled to free prescriptions. They are:

Wegovy

Wegovy is available on the NHS if you have weight-related health issues and a BMI of either:

• 35 or more, or 32.5 or more if you are of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin
• 30 to 34.9, or 27.5 to 32.4 if you are of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin, and you meet any further criteria needed to be treated by a specialist weight management service

Liraglutide

Liraglutide and Saxenda are suitable for adults aged up to 75 and can only be prescribed if the following apply:

• a BMI of at least 35, or 32.5 or more if you’re of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin
• you have non-diabetic high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
• you’re at high risk of heart problems such as heart attacks and strokes

Orlistat

Orlistat and its branded alternative, Xenical, are available on the NHS if you have already made a significant effort to lose weight by changing your lifestyle and if you have a BMI of:

• 28 or more and weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
• 30 or more

For prescription weight loss treatment, you need to have a BMI of over 30 or over 27 or 28 with certain other medical problems, but this depends on the medication.

Certain medical conditions or medications could interact with prescription weight loss treatment, making it less effective or unsafe. You should always speak to a doctor before taking weight loss treatment and always be honest and accurate. This is because weight loss medication could cause serious illness and severe side effects if it is not suitable for you.

Contraindications

Certain medical conditions may mean weight loss treatment is not suitable for you. This depends on the weight loss treatment that you want to use. You should speak to a doctor before taking any weight loss medication, especially if you have:

• liver or kidney problems
• IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)
• thyroid disease
• problems with your heart
• epilepsy or a history of seizures
• anxiety or another mental health condition
• problems absorbing nutrients, which is called chronic malabsorption syndrome

Weight loss treatment is not suitable for anyone under 18 or if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. You should never take weight loss treatment if you are allergic to any ingredients in the medication.

Medication that can interact with weight loss treatment

Some medications can interact with weight loss treatment, making it not work as it should. This could be unsafe. Speak to your doctor if you take any other medications, especially:

• epilepsy medication
• treatment for HIV
• mental health treatment
• heart medication, such as amiodarone
• blood thinners, like warfarin
• hypothyroidism treatment, such as iodine salts
• diabetic treatment
• Parkinson’s disease medication, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• opiates
• steroids
• malaria treatment
• treatment for infections, such as antibiotics
• asthma treatment, such as theophylline

Prescription weight loss treatment can be used to lose weight, but you should still exercise regularly and eat a healthy and balanced diet. Some people may be able to get weight loss surgery, but this is rare.

Exercise

Exercise can help with weight loss as you burn up calories by being active. When you eat food, energy is stored in your body as fat. If you eat more food than the energy you expend, you will gain weight. Your body needs physical activity to burn the energy from your food. It can also help to prevent and manage some medication conditions, like diabetes. This will help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.

According to the NHS, you should do around 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week. This could be things like dancing, cycling, and power walking. You can also do 75 minutes of higher intensity exercise, like running and circuit training. The best way to use exercise for weight loss is by combining moderate and high intensity exercise.

You should also work on your balance and strength at least twice a week. This could involve using weights or doing activities like tai chi and yoga.

Superdrug Online Doctor provides advice on exercising to lose weight as part of the Weight Loss Guide included in our service.

Diet

Your diet is important when trying to lose weight. The NHS advises reducing your calorie intake by 600 calories every day. For women, this means having no more than 1400 calories a day or 1900 calories for men. To achieve a healthy and balanced diet, you should increase the amount of healthy foods you eat. This includes:

• fruits
• vegetables
• healthy fats like avocado
• wholegrains
• nuts
• beans
• natural yoghurt

There are also some foods you should avoid or limit when trying to lose weight, such as:

• sugary food and drinks, like sweets and chocolate
• high fat foods, especially ones containing saturated fat
• oily or fried foods
• crisps
• white bread
• alcohol

To achieve a healthy and balanced diet, you should have lots of fruit and vegetables, some protein sources like meat, fish, and eggs, some dairy foods, some whole grain foods like rice and potatoes, and minimal amounts of fatty and sugary foods.

Weight loss surgery can help you lose weight, but this is usually a last resort. Surgery is for people who have struggled to lose weight with other treatment methods. The most common types of weight loss surgery include:

Gastric band – a band that goes around your stomach, which reduces the amount of food you need to eat before you feel full

Gastric bypass – your stomach is joined to your small intestine, so your body absorbs fewer calories from food, and you feel fuller with less food

Sleeve gastrectomy - part of your stomach is removed, which also reduces the amount of food you can eat

These surgeries can help you lose weight as your stomach is smaller, so you feel fuller from less food. This makes it easier to eat less and lower your calorie intake. However, you will still need to eat healthily to get your nutrition. You may be suitable for weight loss surgery if you are fit enough to get weight loss surgery and if you:

• are severely obese with a BMI of over 40
• are obese with a BMI over 35 and have certain medical conditions

You may be able to get surgery straight away if your BMI is over 50. Like any surgery, there are some risks involved, but it is usually safe if your doctor has recommended it. Weight loss surgery is not suitable for everyone, and you may not be able to get it on the NHS.