Mounjaro users switching to Wegovy amid price hikes urged to take this step first

There is an estimated over 500,000 people using Mounjaro in the UK - but the dramatic rise in the cost of the drug has sparked a widespread concern.

The drug, which has side effects of weight loss has become a popular choice for people looking to shed a few pounds, but the skyrocketing price could mean jeopardising progress.

Currently, almost half (45%) of patients are paying between £150 and £199 per month for the Mounjaro prescriptions, with a further two in five (39%) paying between £200 and £249. However, with the manufacturer announcing it is hiking prices by up to 170% for some dosages, many are worried about the long-term affordability of Mounjaro.

These changes are pushing users to look at alternative options and almost half of people surveyed by online pharmacy Chemist4U (44%) say they would consider moving to an alternative like Wegovy if Mounjaro becomes financially unsustainable.

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According to research by the British Heart Foundation, Mounjaro reduced body weight in people with obesity by just over 20 per cent, whereas Wegovy cut it by nearly 14 per cent.

Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy at Chemist4U said: “With Mounjaro’s price rise looming, it’s not surprising that patients are exploring alternatives. Wegovy offers a safe, less expensive and almost equal solution and is a very good option to consider if Mounjaro becomes unaffordable."

Talk to your GP

The expert said switching should always "be as part of a conversation with your pharmacist or GP. "Our role is to guide patients through the process, tailoring advice to their health history, so they can continue their weight loss journey with confidence," Murphy continued.

Chemistry4U further noted the data also suggests that fears may be outpacing reality. Among those most worried, 76% are on lower doses (2.5mg to 7.5mg), which are expected to be less affected by the predicted price increases. The 5mg dose emerged as the most common among users (35%), whilst only 5% are currently on higher doses (12.5mg or above) which is the group likely to feel the steepest rise.

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Patients aged 18-24 were the most likely to report concern about affordability (96%) while those aged 55+ appeared less affected, with one in five (20%) not being concerned at all.

Chemist4U, which supplies both Mounjaro and alternatives, has been dealing with record number of prescription orders but has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting patients through pricing changes and helping them make informed decisions about their treatment paths.

James O’Loan, CEO and Superintendent Pharmacist at Chemist4U added: "The level of panic and worry may not be entirely necessary, as the price increases - particularly for lower doses – may not be as steep as many initially feared."

'Savage side-effects'

Wegovy is an alternative which offers the same effects as Mounjaro, however there are a few things people should look out for if they are considering the swap. Now more than £100 cheaper at stores like Boots and Asda and £150 less at smaller online pharmacies it's clear to see why it may be a popular swap despite some claiming brutal side effects.

Alice Dogroyul told Daily Mail she lost weight on Wegovy, but also "endured savage side-effects – the worst constipation of my life, followed by violent vomiting and diarrhoea. None of this happened on Mounjaro."

Not only was she struggling with going to the toilet and sickness, she also noted how she'd started experiencing "Wegovy sulphur burps". Something she never thought she would have. "If you know, you know – stomach-churning little eruptions that make you want to hide under the duvet and not speak to anyone.

"This violent reaction wasn’t anything to do with what I’d eaten – again it was to do with how slowly the stomach empties. For some people it causes nothing but queasiness. For me, my body went into full revolt. I couldn’t keep anything down or in."

A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, creators of Wegovy, told The Mirror: "Patient safety is our top priority. We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 RA medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety, monitoring adverse reactions through pharmacovigilance.

"GLP-1s are a well-established class of medicines, which have demonstrated safety in clinical trials. The most common side effects of Wegovy (semaglutide injection) include nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, which are usually mild or moderate and resolve without stopping treatment.

"We recommend that any patient experiencing side effects while taking GLP-1 receptor agonists including Wegovy (semaglutide injection) report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme."

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