Weight loss injections are everywhere right now, and the noise around them isn't always helpful. So here's the version we'd give a friend who asked at the school gate, written by the pharmacist who runs the clinic at Hedon.
What they actually are
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are weekly injections originally developed for type 2 diabetes. They work by mimicking gut hormones that tell your brain you're full. The result, for most people, is that the constant background hunger quietens down and portion sizes naturally shrink.
Who they're for
They're licensed for people with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 plus if you've got a weight-related health condition. They're not a shortcut for someone trying to drop half a stone before a wedding, and any clinic offering them that way is one to walk away from.
These medications work. They are not magic. They work best alongside small, real changes to how you eat and move.
What our clinic includes
A friendly nudge
Need a pharmacist, not Google?
Pop into Hedon Pharmacy on St Augustines Gate, or book a service online.
- A proper consultation with a pharmacist, in private
- BMI, blood pressure and a review of your medical history
- Honest advice on whether it's the right option for you
- Monthly check-ins as your dose increases
- Genuine UK-sourced medication, never grey imports
The side effects nobody mentions in adverts
Nausea is the big one, especially in the first fortnight after each dose increase. Most people manage it with smaller meals and avoiding heavy, fatty food on injection day. Constipation, fatigue and a temporary dip in appetite are common. Serious side effects are rare but real, which is why we monitor you properly rather than just posting the pen out.
And the bit about coming off them
If you stop, hunger returns and a chunk of the weight usually comes back unless the new eating patterns have stuck. That's not a failure of the medication, it's just biology. We'll talk about a long-term plan from the first appointment, not the tenth.
