Safe Prescribing for GLP-1 Medications: Your Complete Guide
GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro have genuinely transformed lives. They’ve helped thousands of people achieve significant weight loss and improve their overall health and wellbeing. But with great power comes great responsibility – both for prescribers and patients.
As these “wonder medications” have become more popular and widely available, the market has become crowded with providers. Some are excellent, others… less so. With potentially serious health consequences at stake, it’s crucial you know what to look for in a safe, legitimate provider.
In this post:
- Red flags – how to spot unsafe or illegal providers
- What safe prescribing looks like – licensing, regulations, and professional standards
- Essential patient checks – what assessments should happen before treatment
- Monitoring and continuation – why ongoing reviews are critical for your safety
- Side effects and risks – what to watch out for and how to stay safe
- Follow-up care – support you should expect during and after treatment
- The PillSorted difference – how we ensure safe, compliant, patient-first prescribing
- Questions to ask your provider – to protect your health and make informed choices
These are Serious Medications
GLP-1 medications aren’t lifestyle supplements or cosmetic treatments. They’re powerful prescription medicines that can cause real harm if used inappropriately. Yes, they’re incredibly effective, but they deserve respect and proper medical oversight.
The good news? When prescribed and monitored correctly, they’re remarkably safe and life-changing. The key is ensuring you’re getting them from the right place, in the right way.
Red Flags: How to Spot Unsafe Providers
Before we dive into what good looks like, here are the warning signs that should make you run:
🚨 They’re advertising directly to you
If you’re seeing ads for specific GLP-1 medications, that’s actually illegal. Prescription-only medicines can’t be advertised to the public – it’s that simple. Legitimate providers don’t need to break the law to find patients.
🚨 The price seems too good to be true
Genuine medications have genuine costs. If someone’s offering these medications at dramatically lower prices, ask yourself why. Counterfeit versions containing everything from insulin to unknown substances have been found in the UK.
🚨 No questions asked
Any provider who’ll give you these medications without proper assessment is putting your health at risk. If it feels too easy, it probably is.
🚨 No ongoing monitoring
These aren’t “set and forget” medications. If a provider isn’t planning regular check-ins and monitoring, they’re not doing their job properly.
What Safe, Legal Prescribing Actually Looks Like
1. Product Licensing & Approved Indications
MHRA licensing matters: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines to ensure they’re safe and effective. Your provider should only offer MHRA-approved GLP-1 medications for their specific licensed uses, though they may be used “off-label” in some cases:
Wegovy and Mounjaro: Licensed for weight management
Ozempic and Rybelsus: Licensed for type 2 diabetes only
Licensed prescribing criteria:
- Wegovy: BMI ≥30 kg/m² (obesity) or BMI 27-30 kg/m² (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition
- Mounjaro: BMI ≥30 kg/m² (obesity) or BMI 27-30 kg/m² (overweight) with weight-related health problems like prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems
Both medications should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
2. Prescribing Regulations & Professional Standards
Avoiding fake and unauthorised supply: This is crucial for your safety. Counterfeit medicines claiming to be Saxenda or Ozempic have been found in the UK, including versions containing insulin which can be harmful. You should only source medicines from legitimate routes with proper prescriptions.
Warning signs of unsafe providers:
- Is the price too good to be true?
- Are there no questions asked?
- Are they advertising prescription medicines to you directly?
GPhC regulations: The General Pharmaceutical Council regulates pharmacies and online services to protect public safety. Here’s what they require as a minimum for safe GLP-1 prescribing:
What does the GpHC say about GLP-1 prescribing?
- Appropriate consultations: Face-to-face isn’t required, but the consultation must be thorough enough to prescribe safely
- Independent BMI verification: Weight, height and BMI should be verified, not just self-reported
- Ongoing monitoring: Providers must carry out or signpost appropriate ongoing monitoring
- Side effect guidance: Clear advice on what to do if you experience side effects
- Advertising: GlP-1 medications are prescription-only medicines (POMs). The law and the advertising rules are clear, prescription-only medicines (POMs) can’t be advertised to the public. If you see a provider advertising GLP-1s, it is probably a sign you should not order from them!
3. Essential Patient Checks Before Prescribing
Identity verification and informed consent: Prescribers must verify your identity and ensure you understand the benefits, risks, and alternatives before starting treatment.
- BMI verification: Your BMI must be independently verified to ensure it meets licensing thresholds and should be monitored throughout treatment to ensure safe and effective weight loss.
- Medical assessment: A comprehensive review of your medical history, current medications, and any conditions that might affect treatment safety.
4. Monitoring & Continuation Criteria
Regular monitoring requirements:
- Baseline assessments: Weight, BMI. Also very useful: blood pressure, waist measurements, and relevant blood tests (HbA1c for diabetes screening, vitamin levels, iron, thyroid function)
- Regular weight monitoring: To ensure safe and effective rate of loss and that you’re reaching goals without health risks
- Side effect check-ins: Active monitoring for any adverse effects
- Health improvements tracking: Blood pressure, cholesterol, and other health markers often improve
- Maintenance support: Ongoing monitoring continues even after reaching your target weight. You can read more about maintenance here
5. Safety Considerations & Risk Mitigation
Common Side Effects: Include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation; risk of dehydration.
Serious but rare complications: Pancreatitis, gallbladder disorders, and allergic reactions can occur. You should be educated about warning signs.
Hypoglycaemia risk: Possible even in non-diabetic patients – you must recognise symptoms and seek prompt help when needed.
Contraception considerations: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Those taking oral contraceptives should use barrier methods (like condoms) in addition to their pill for four weeks after starting and four weeks after any dose increase. Wegovy doesn’t have this same requirement.
Adverse Event Reporting: Any suspected adverse drug reactions should be reported via the Yellow Card Scheme.
6. Follow-up & Ongoing Care
Comprehensive patient assessment: Patients should be assessed when starting a GLP-1 and then have ongoing monitoring that continues even when you reach your maintenance weight.
Baseline Assessments: Weight and BMI should be monitored at the start and at regular intervals throughout taking the GLP-1. Other useful things to monitor include: blood pressure, waist measurement and some blood tests e.g. HbA1c to check for diabetes, nutritional levels (e.g. vitamins D, B12), iron levels and thyroid function.
Regular Monitoring Requirements:
- Weight monitoring: Should be done regularly to ensure a safe and effective rate of loss. Your provider should be monitoring this to ensure you are reaching your goals effectively and without damage to your health
- Side effect check-ins: Regular monitoring for any adverse effects and guidance on management
- Maintenance monitoring: Regular monitoring when at maintenance. You can read more about weight loss maintenance here.
- Health improvements tracking: Repeat blood pressure and other blood tests to see if there have been improvements (there usually have been and you may even be able to stop some other medications after talking to your GP).
Why This All Matters: Real-World Consequences
We’re not trying to scare you – these medications are genuinely transformative when used properly. But we’ve seen the consequences when they’re not:
- Counterfeit medications containing dangerous substances
- Patients developing serious side effects without proper monitoring
- Ineffective treatment because proper protocols weren’t followed
- Health complications that could have been prevented with appropriate oversight
The Pillsorted Difference
At Pillsorted, we’ve built our entire approach around these safety principles:
✅ Thorough assessments with qualified clinicians
✅ Independent verification of your eligibility
✅ GPhC-registered pharmacy dispensing
✅ Ongoing monitoring throughout your journey
✅ Side effect support when you need it
✅ Maintenance programmes for long-term success
✅ Transparent, compliant practices – no shortcuts, no compromises
Questions to Ask Any Provider
Before committing to treatment anywhere, ask these questions:
- “Are you prescribing within the licensed indications?”
- “How will you verify my BMI and monitor my progress?”
- “What ongoing support and monitoring do you provide?”
- “How do you handle side effects and emergencies?”
- “Is your dispensing pharmacy GPhC-registered?”
- “What’s your plan if I need to stop treatment or switch medications?”
- “Do you use advanced digital signatures for electronic prescriptions as required by law?”
- “What clinical risk management standards do you follow for your prescribing software?”
- “How do you ensure cybersecurity and data protection of my health information?”
If they can’t give clear, confident answers, consider that a red flag.
Main takeaways
- GLP-1 medications can be genuinely life-changing, but only when prescribed and monitored safely. In a crowded market full of shortcuts and corner-cutting, your health deserves better than the cheapest or most convenient option.
- Look for providers who take safety seriously, follow proper protocols, and put your long-term health above quick profits. The extra time and investment in proper care isn’t bureaucracy – it’s what stands between you and potentially serious complications.
- Your weight loss journey is important, but your safety is paramount. Choose your provider accordingly.
References
- Gov.uk (2023). MHRA warns of unsafe fake weight loss pens
- NICE (2015). Medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes
- NIH (2024). Drug-induced low blood sugar
PillSorted
Considering GLP-1 treatment? Our experienced clinicians at Pillsorted follow all safety protocols to ensure your treatment is not just effective, but safe from start to finish. Because your health matters more than cutting corners.
Call us at 033 4050380 or email help@pillsorted.com.
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