Jump to: Why is Second Nature launching a Mounjaro weight-loss programme? | Mounjaro isn’t a magic pill | FAQs
After The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed that Mounjaro has been approved for weight loss in the UK, Second Nature is excited to announce we’ll launch a Mounjaro weight-loss programme!
This will be in combination with our clinically proven weight-loss programme, which has over five years of clinical data proving its effectiveness.
Our new Mounjaro programme will be similar to our Wegovy weight-loss programme launched in November 2023. The only difference is that Mounjaro is used as the weekly weight-loss injection instead of Wegovy.
We plan to launch our new Mounjaro programme in February 2024, but this will depend on the distribution of the medication in the UK.
Why is Second Nature launching a Mounjaro weight-loss programme?
One of our values at Second Nature is Let The Data Guide You. For anyone who’s read the clinical trial data on the most recent GLP-1 tirzepatide, you’ll know that the potential of these medications is incomparable to any weight loss medication that’s come before it.
For example, a randomised controlled trial with 670 participants showed that those on Mounjaro lost an average of around 25% of their body weight after one year. If you weighed 100 kg, this would be a weight loss of 25kg.
This research also showed the percentage of participants on Mounjaro achieving more than 10% weight loss is incredibly high.
92% of participants on Mounjaro achieved more than 10% weight loss, with 84% achieving more than 15%.
Losing and maintaining weight loss of more than 10% is associated with a significant reduction in complications associated with obesity, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
These results are remarkable, and we believe these medications could support many more people in achieving their weight loss goals and reducing their risk of chronic disease.
At Second Nature, we don’t recommend taking weight-loss injections like Mounjaro to avoid making lifestyle changes.
But we absolutely support the use of Mounjaro and other weight-loss injections for people who are also committed to making healthy lifestyle changes to improve their health for the long term.
The harsh reality is that for many people, living with obesity has led to their bodies struggling to maintain normal metabolic function. They might live with high liver fat levels, and their pancreas might struggle to produce enough insulin to manage their blood sugar.
In this scenario, it becomes extremely challenging to lose weight as the body’s hormones that regulate appetite become dysfunctional, which can lead to more overeating.
For individuals where this is the day-to-day reality, drugs like semaglutide can provide them with a life-changing opportunity to shift a significant amount of weight and reset their bodies so they’re able to make the changes necessary to keep the weight off for good.
Mounjaro isn’t a magic pill
These medications are designed as additional tools for weight-loss interventions like Second Nature and shouldn’t be considered lifelong medications.
Instead, they should be used to help you kickstart your weight loss and health journey while you commit to living a healthier lifestyle.
We’re not about a quick-fix crash diet that doesn’t educate you on how to lead a healthier lifestyle. We want you to take control.
This is where we come in. We’ve been working in the NHS since 2017 supporting people to lose weight and manage their type 2 diabetes.
In 2022, the NHS published data in the British Medical Journal comparing five different providers of the Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme.
The results demonstrated that Second Nature was more than twice as effective at supporting weight loss after 12 months than the four other providers.
For the right person, the addition of weight-loss injections like Mounjaro will allow more people to achieve significant weight-loss results and improve their health in the long term.
Our new Mounjaro programme won’t be for everyone. Many people can lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle without the support of medications, and our core product will remain available via the NHS and for our consumer customers.
What can you expect from Second Nature’s new GLP-1 programme?
- Prescription Mounjaro medication, delivered to your door
- Peace of mind that you’re purchasing medication from the only company in the UK offering a medication-supported programme that’s also used by the NHS to deliver weight-loss services
- A dedicated health coach who’s a registered nutritionist or dietitian to support you every step of the way
- Group and peer support in the Second Nature app
- Evidence-based articles and podcasts to help you learn the science of healthy living and habit formation
We plan to launch our new programme in February 2024 if the medication distribution lines are opened as planned.
If you’re keen to join our new programme, the first step is to join our waiting list by clicking the button below. When we launch, we’ll contact you so you can complete your online consultation.
Questions? See below our list of FAQs. If you don’t get the answer you want, feel free to contact us at medication@secondnature.io.
FAQs
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a dual-action weight-loss injection manufactured by the pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly. The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide is known as a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist.
How does Mounjaro work?
Mounjaro works by mimicking two hormones in the body (GLP-1 and GIP) that interact with the brain’s appetite control centre, the hypothalamus, to lower food-seeking behaviours and hunger.
By lowering hunger, we’re able to eat less and lose weight. You can read our full guide for a more detailed analysis of how GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro work.
Mounjaro has additional mechanisms which support the management of blood sugar and fat storage, improving overall health.
How much weight can you lose with Mounjaro?
Data from randomised controlled trials suggests that you can lose up to 25% of your body weight on Mounjaro after one year. If you weighed 100 kg, that would mean losing 25kg.
How long will it take to lose weight on Mounjaro?
According to randomised controlled trials, you can start losing weight immediately after taking Mounjaro. After four weeks, the average weight loss is around 2% of body weight; after eight weeks, it’s over 4%.
Interestingly, the initial weight loss is no different from other interventions to support weight loss, like diet and exercise without Mounjaro.
However, Mounjaro is a long-acting medication, and the real impact is seen beyond three months.
How much does Mounjaro cost?
Mounjaro will cost £229 for the first three months and £299 thereafter with Second Nature.
This price will include access to 1-1 support from a registered nutritionist and dietitian, as well as our award-winning programme that will help you learn about the science of healthy living to keep the weight off for good.
Is Mounjaro the same as Wegovy?
Mounjaro and Wegovy aren’t the same. The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide, and semaglutide in Wegovy. However, they do share some similarities.
Mounjaro and Wegovy are GLP-1 receptor agonists, weight-loss injections that reduce appetite to support weight loss and improve blood glucose control through various mechanisms.
GLP-1 is a hormone that lowers hunger and food-seeking behaviours by communicating with the brain’s appetite control centre, the hypothalamus. Mounjaro and Wegovy mimic the actions of GLP-1.
Mounjaro, in addition to being a GLP-1 receptor agonist, also mimics a hormone called GIP. GIP is a hormone in the body that supports blood glucose levels and helps our fat cells store more excess energy we might consume in our diets.
The main difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy is that Mounjaro mimics two hormones while Wegovy only mimics one.
Both medications have similar dosing schedules and are administered once a week. The main difference is the amount of medication used. The volume of the doses with Mounjaro is larger than with Wegovy.
Do you lose more weight on Wegovy or Mounjaro?
Based on data from randomised controlled trials, Mounjaro appears to lead to more weight loss than Wegovy.
Research shows Mounjaro supports average weight loss of around 25% after one year and 16% on Wegovy.
However, responses to medications vary between individuals, and it’s not certain which medication will support more weight loss as it’s also down to lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
Can you get Mounjaro on the NHS?
Mounjaro is approved to be used in the NHS in the future. However, it has not been confirmed when the NHS will start prescribing Mounjaro.
It’s likely you’ll need to be part of a tier 3 weight management service and meet some of the other eligibility criteria to get a prescription for Mounjaro on the NHS.
What’s the best diet with Mounjaro?
The best diet to eat while on Mounjaro is one based primarily on whole foods that limit the consumption of ultra-processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates and sugar.
On Second Nature, you’ll have the support of a registered dietitian or nutritionist to help you make sustainable improvements to your eating habits.
Is Mounjaro safe?
Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medications are generally safe for most individuals. In a recent trial, only 3% of participants out of 330 on Mounjaro experienced serious adverse events.
Serious adverse events are those that hinder the individual’s quality of life and often lead to the discontinuation of the medication.
Does Mounjaro have side effects?
As with all medications, semaglutide comes with some potential side effects, and everyone will always respond differently.
These should be mild for most people and tend to resolve over time as your body adjusts to the medication and dose.
The most common side effects of Mounjaro are those related to the GI tract, such as nausea, diarrhoea, and constipation.
It’s also common for some individuals to experience fatigue and lethargy on GLP-1 medications.
However, these side effects are typically transient and will ease as you adjust to the medication.
It can be hard at times to cope with these side effects, but we’re here to support you through your journey and will guide you every step of the way.
How do I get a Mounjaro prescription with Second Nature?
You’ll need to complete a consultation form that will be reviewed by our clinical team. If you meet our eligibility criteria, you’ll receive Mounjaro in the post and start your Second Nature journey.
If you join our waiting list, you’ll be notified as soon as we launch so you can complete your consultation.
How do I take Mounjaro?
You’ll inject the medication underneath the skin using an injection pen (a tiny needle – like a pinprick). You should inject into abdominal fat, thigh, or upper arm – ideally, you should rotate between these locations.
This is a painless and quick process, and we’ll guide you through how to do this! Regardless of the dose, you’ll only inject Mounjaro once per week.
Injections should be administered on the same day each week. These can be done at any time of day, with or without food.
What is the dosing schedule of Mounjaro?
Mounjaro treatment starts with a 2.5 mg dose once a week. This dose is then increased by 2.5 mg every month until you reach the highest maintenance dose of 15 mg.
However, if you respond well to lower doses of the medication and prefer to continue with a dose of 5 mg, for example, our clinical team can assist you with this.
What if I miss a dose of Mounjaro?
If you forget to take a dose, you should inject as soon as you remember, as long as it’s within five days of the missed dose. You can then take your next dose as planned.
For example, if you usually inject on a Monday, you have up to Friday to take your missed dose.
If more than five days have passed since you forgot to take a dose, skip that injection and wait for the next injection day to come around.
If you miss two consecutive weeks of doses, you should reach out to your health coach before restarting.
Can I be on other medications at the same time?
There are some known drugs that interfere with tirzepartide. During your consultation, we’ll ask you to confirm all medications you’re currently taking. We’ll then advise on whether you’re eligible to take Mounjaro whilst on other medications.
How do I store the medication?
The injection pens should be stored in a fridge. Don’t freeze them.
Can I travel with my injection pens?
Yes – absolutely! You can travel through airports with your medication. You need to keep it in the box with the dispensing label clearly visible.
This is so that airport security can verify that the medicine has been dispensed by a registered pharmacy in your name.
If you have any issues, please contact medication@secondnature.io, and they’ll be able to support you.
