Guidance for GPs on Managing Patients Using Weight Loss Drugs

Academics at King's College London and the University of East Anglia have released guidance for GPs on how to manage patients who may be privately accessing weight loss drugs. The medications are not routinely prescribed for obesity management in primary care. It is estimated that 1.5 million people used weight-loss injections in March 2025, with 80% of purchases made through online retailers. As these users are privately accessing the medication, providers do not always offer comprehensive care such as dietary advice or psychological support.

The authors of the guidance, published in Obesity Facts, provide ten evidence-based tips to help GPs who encounter patients using these medications in primary care. Patients may not disclose the use of the injections but may exhibit various symptoms or signs of use.

Dr. Laurence Dobbie, the lead author and Academic Clinical Fellow in General Practice at King's College London, emphasized the importance of prioritizing patient safety and addressing side effects. Key recommendations include asking about the use of weight loss injections, reviewing medications early, watching for red flags like severe abdominal pain, and considering fertility and surgery implications.

The guidance is the first output of Obesity Management Collaborative UK, a network established in 2024 to support clinicians managing patients with obesity. Professor Barbara McGowan from King's College London and a Consultant Endocrinologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust highlighted the importance of upskilling GPs in managing patients on these medications.

Dr. Helen Parretti, joint first author and Consultant Clinical Associate Professor in Primary Care at the University of East Anglia, expressed hope that the ten top tips will support healthcare professionals in primary care when managing patients on weight loss drugs.