Weight-loss drug Mounjaro 'changed my life,' says mother-of-two

The weight-loss medication Mounjaro will be available through the NHS in England starting in March.

It's one of several weight-loss medications that have gained popularity lately and are available for purchase at private clinics and pharmacies.

BBC News interviewed individuals who are currently paying for Mounjaro or are looking to obtain it through the NHS to gather their thoughts on the recent announcement.

Alix Harvey, a 35-year-old marine biologist hailing from Plymouth, expressed her support for the decision to improve access to the weight-loss medication.

She began using Mounjaro in May after facing difficulties with weight gain after having her two children.

"I reached a point where I thought, 'If things keep going like this, I'm going to become severely overweight by my late thirties,'" she expressed.

Over the past six months, her body mass index (BMI) has decreased from 32 to 22, and she has shed 25% of her total weight.

The NHS states that individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or more are considered overweight, and those with a BMI of 30 or higher are classified as obese.

"It has transformed my life... My perspective on food has shifted entirely," she mentioned, also noting that she now feels inspired to hit the gym and start weightlifting.

Since Mounjaro acts as an appetite suppressant, she mentioned that at first, she found it difficult to consume more than 1,000 calories. However, the effects have since "lessened," and her hunger has returned.

Ms. Harvey has been spending around £170 each month on the medication, but she mentioned that she has been able to save that same amount by cutting back on her food and drink purchases. As a result, she intends to stop using the medication.

According to the NICE guidelines, she wouldn't qualify for the medication because it is intended for individuals with a BMI over 35 who also have at least one health issue related to obesity.

However, she thinks the introduction of the drug should be done slowly to make sure there is proper support available for users. This is important because there is a possibility that individuals may regain weight once they stop using the medication.

"It's not something that can be solved overnight," she explained. "It's crucial to have a maintenance plan in place afterward to help individuals maintain their weight loss."

Jane Graham, a cardiac physiologist from York, expressed her desire to obtain a weight-loss injection via the NHS in order to shed two stone (approximately 12.7 kg).

The 60-year-old experienced a heart attack nine years ago and is now at an increased risk of having more heart attacks. Additionally, he is also pre-diabetic.

"My arms and legs are not overweight; it's primarily my midsection that poses health risks," she explained. "I have a 42-inch waist and weigh 12 stone, but I just can't seem to lose the weight."

Ms. Graham mentioned that she has "attempted all options" to shed some pounds, including following the calorie-cutting 5:2 diet and studying nutrition books "until she's exhausted from it."

"I've lost my fighting spirit after trying for such a long time," she expressed, but she also mentioned that she feels "concerned" about the possibility of her health deteriorating.

Although she is interested in trying Mounjaro, she prefers to have medical professionals oversee her treatment as part of the NHS program because of her existing health concerns.

"I wouldn't mind paying for it as long as there's some oversight, but that's not an option. It's either this or that," she explained.

She felt very let down because, with a BMI of 30, she wouldn’t be eligible for the medication according to the NICE guidelines.

Additionally, even if she met the requirements, Ms. Graham was worried about the possible waiting time to receive Mounjaro.

"After waiting for 12 years, I'll be 72, and whatever is meant to happen in my life will have already occurred. At that point, it will be too late."

NICE has allowed the NHS over ten years to roll out the medication due to worries that it might strain their services.

The chief medical officer at NICE, Professor Jonathan Benger, recognized that this could result in "numerous individuals having to wait."

However, he stated: "We needed to make this challenging choice to safeguard essential NHS services and to explore methods of providing this new type of weight-loss medication."

Paul, who preferred to keep his last name private, and his wife have been using Mounjaro for several months, purchasing it through an online clinic that operates privately.

"My wife and I don’t indulge in alcohol or smoking, but we definitely enjoy food, and we both struggled with being overweight," he mentioned.

Since beginning her journey in July, his wife has shed 5 stone (31.7kg). Paul mentioned that he has also been losing weight since he started in October.

Paul, who mentioned that at his peak weight he was 20 stone (127kg), stated that he had "attempted every possible method" to shed pounds.

"But I realized that the pounds just wouldn't budge. It was really discouraging," he shared.

He mentioned that he had a conversation with his doctor but opted to give Mounjaro a shot after learning about its success from others.

Paul mentioned that the medication had effectively silenced the persistent "food voice" that constantly made him feel hungry.

His wife spends £180 each month on a private prescription, and he has been taking some of her medication since she now requires less after losing some weight. They can’t afford for him to purchase his own medicines as well.

Paul hasn't consulted anyone about sharing prescription medications, which can be risky and is generally discouraged.

Paul mentioned that it would be wonderful if the NHS could offer this service, but pointed out that a 12-year wait for some individuals is "excessive."

He acknowledges that using a medication not specifically prescribed for him carries some risks, and he has encountered a few minor side effects.

"It's somewhat of a gamble. At some point, I plan to visit my doctor for a routine check-up and inform them that I'm taking it," he said.