Weight Loss

Injectable medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy are the most effective treatments available for weight loss, especially when combined with a calorie-restricted diet and regular exercise.

In clinical trials, patients taking Mounjaro consistently experienced greater weight loss than those taking Wegovy. 32% of participants lost at least a quarter of their body weight with Mounjaro, compared to 16% with Wegovy.

Alternatively, other highly effective weight loss options include oral medications such as Orlistat, Orlos, Alli, and Xenical. Clinical studies show that individuals can lose over 10% of their body weight in one year when using Orlistat-based treatments, especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Factors such as age, underlying health conditions, diets and lifestyle habits can affect the suitability of and response to different weight loss treatments.

At Pharmica, we offer our patients a reliable, personalised weight loss service from start to finish. If you're unsure which weight loss treatment to take, please complete our free online consultation for weight loss treatment to determine the most suitable option for you.

Obesity is a chronic disease which refers to the excessive accumulation of body fat and can result in an increased risk of developing serious health conditions. According to the NHS, obesity is diagnosed if an individual has a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30. In comparison, individuals are deemed overweight for their height if their BMI is between 25 and 29.9.

Being overweight also refers to having an above-average weight due to excessive body fat. However, the excess weight can be managed through lifestyle adjustments such as dietary changes.

Individuals with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered to be at a healthy weight, and those with a BMI under 18.5 are considered underweight. To check your BMI and find out whether you are a healthy weight, use our BMI calculator.

Obesity can lead to a number of health risks, including:

• Cardiovascular issues (such as heart disease) - the accumulation of visceral fat around the organs can increase the volume of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis), narrowing the arteries and increasing the individual's blood pressure, which can cause an individual to develop cardiovascular issues. Recent clinical evidence shows that Wegovy lowers the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) by 20%, and can therefore be used to significantly reduce your likelihood of heart disease.
• Joint pain - the high overall body weight of obese individuals can place additional stress on the joints in the knees, hips and lower back, accelerating the wearing of joint cartilage can result in substantial pain and discomfort.
• Respiratory issues - excess fat on the abdomen can restrict the movement of the diaphragm and compress the lungs, causing respiratory issues such as sleep apnoea and intermittent breathlessness.
• Type 2 diabetes - the accumulation of visceral fat on the body can cause fat cells to release inflammatory chemicals that affect the body's ability to respond to insulin, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels, which contributes to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Research has found that Mounjaro reduces blood sugar levels and body weight, and is therefore an appropriate medication for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes.

The rate at which an individual loses weight depends on the size of the caloric deficit they maintain each day, as determined by their diet, lifestyle, and the use of weight loss treatments.

A deficit of 500 calories per day results in approximately 1.1 pounds (0.5kg) of weight loss per week. This calorie deficit can be maintained by following a calorie-restricted but healthy and balanced diet, in addition to engaging in daily physical activity.

Injectable weight loss treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro contain active ingredients that aid weight loss by helping control appetite and slowing down gastric emptying, but need to be supported by regular exercise and healthy dietary choices. When taking Mounjaro, patients experienced an average of 1% weight loss a week for the first four weeks.

Weight loss capsules are taken orally, while weight loss injections are administered into the upper legs, stomach area (abdomen), or upper arms. Each treatment type works differently, as capsules and injections have distinct mechanisms of action depending on their active ingredients.

At Pharmica, we provide injectable weight loss treatments which contain different active ingredients:

• Wegovy (semaglutide) - a prescription-only weekly weight loss injection, which mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1 to reduce appetite, slow stomach emptying and increase feelings of fullness.
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) - a prescription-only, dual-action weekly injection, which works by mimicking GLP-1 and GIP hormones to help control appetite, slowing gastric emptying to make you feel fuller for longer and stimulating insulin release after meals to reduce food cravings.

Recommended reading: Wegovy vs Mounjaro: Weight Loss Injection Comparison

We also provide oral weight loss capsules such as:

• Orlistat 120mg - a prescription weight loss aid suitable for adults with a BMI over 30.
• Orlos (Orlistat 60mg) - a weight loss aid containing 60mg of the active ingredient orlistat, suitable for individuals with a BMI of 28 or above.
• Alli (Orlistat 60mg) - a branded version of Orlos which also contains 60mg of orlistat.
• Xenical (Orlistat 120mg) - a branded version of the prescription weight loss treatment, Orlistat 120mg.

Weight loss injections work in various ways depending on the active ingredient. For instance, Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which mimics the GLP-1 hormone to signal to the brain to increase the feeling of satiety and reduce hunger. Wegovy also slows down gastric emptying, keeping you fuller for longer.

In contrast, Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which mimics the GIP hormone in addition to the GLP-1 hormone. This creates a dual-action effect that enhances appetite regulation, improves blood sugar control and slows gastric emptying to aid weight loss.

• How to Take Wegovy Injections
• How to Take Mounjaro Injections
• Injectable Weight Loss Treatments: Important Information

Weight loss capsules containing the active ingredient orlistat block the action of enzymes that break down fat in the digestive system. This results in approximately 25% to 30% of dietary fat passing through the body without being absorbed, helping achieve a caloric deficit to aid weight loss.

Orlistat, Orlos, Alli, and Xenical all contain the same ingredient: orlistat, which helps block fat absorption from food. The strongest options are Xenical or generic Orlistat, which are both available at 120mg strength.

Alli and Orlos are the lower-strength options, sold over the counter at 60mg.

Weight gain can be caused by a number of factors pertaining to an individual's age, hormones, nutritional choices and lifestyle:

• Ageing causes a progressive reduction in muscle tissue and strength, resulting in slower metabolism due to the fact that muscle maintenance requires substantial energy expenditure. This reduction in metabolism makes it harder to expend calories at rest, causing weight gain.
• Hormones can affect various physical functions that contribute to weight gain, including appetite, satiety, body fat distribution, cravings for high-calorie foods and overall metabolism.
• Nutritional choices can cause weight gain if more calories are consumed than expended, causing the additional energy to be stored in the form of body fat.
• Lifestyle choices such as excessive alcohol consumption and infrequent exercise increases the probability of gaining weight.

Weight loss progress can stall due to various factors:

• Low protein intake - Protein-rich foods increase the body's metabolic rate because more energy is required to break down protein compared to carbohydrates and fats.
• Skipping meals - Skipping a meal can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar levels, triggering the release of ghrelin which can overstimulate appetite.
• Irregular sleep schedule - Sleep deprivation can disrupt the balance of ghrelin and leptin hormones, which help regulate appetite and satiety.
• Forgetting to account for changes to daily caloric requirements - As an individual loses weight, the number of calories they must eat to sustain weight loss decreases.

For more information, please read our comprehensive guide on Why Weight Loss Can Take Time.

The number of calories an individual must consume daily to lose weight depends on their basal metabolic rate (BMR). BMR can be calculated using the Harris-Benedict equation and must be multiplied by an activity factor to determine daily caloric requirement (DCR).

For more detailed information, please refer to our expert guide on How To Achieve Weight Loss Goals In 2025.

• What to Eat on Mounjaro: Nutrition Tips and Diet Plan
• What to Eat on Wegovy: Diet Tips, Foods to Avoid and Meal Plan

Exercise is not strictly necessary for weight loss; however, it can significantly help in achieving and maintaining a calorie deficit. It is recommended to exercise routinely in addition to eating a balanced, calorie-restricted diet for healthy weight loss.

Recommended reading: Seven Scientifically Supported Weight Loss Strategies

According to the NHS, it is safe to lose approximately 0.5kg to 1kg of weight per week. Research has shown Mounjaro can help you lose around 1% of your body weight a week for the first 4 weeks.

• Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity, 2025.
• Electronic medicines compendium (EMC): Xenical 120 mg hard capsules.
• Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity, 2022.
• NHS: Obesity Treatment.
• Novo Nordisk: Wegovy 2.4mg semaglutide injection.
• European Medicines Agency: Mounjaro.