How to Buy Medicines Safely Online

How we get medical advice and buy medication is changing at a fast pace. It can be difficult to work out what’s safe and what’s not, especially online.

Here, we show you how to spot a safe medical website, how to know when you’ve received a spam medical email, and how you can safely buy weight loss medication online.

There are a number of different types of websites where you can buy medicines online, including prescription medicines. You should always make sure that any site is safe, legal, and has a good reputation before you use it.

Online pharmacies

Online pharmacies work in a similar way to traditional high-street pharmacies. If you already have a prescription from a GP, they can dispense medicine to you by post, or to be picked up. They may also offer pharmacist consultations by telephone or email, as well as over-the-counter medicines without a prescription.

Online doctors

All doctors working in the UK need to be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). Online doctors have to follow all of the same rules and guidelines as any other GMC-registered doctors, but they consult with patients online or by telephone.

Online doctors offer different types of services. In some places in the UK, you can register with an NHS online doctor. Other online doctors offer consultations that you pay for, either as a subscription or a one-off fee.

ZAVA offers consultations using simple, online questionnaires, with follow-up emails and phone calls with the doctor, if they need a bit more information from you. The consultation, medicine, and delivery are all included in the costs shown on the site.

If you decide to buy medicine online, there are a few steps you can take to ensure the website you're using is safe.

Check the company is working legally and following regulations

Care Quality Commission

First, look to see if the website mentions the Care Quality Commission (CQC). All healthcare services in England are checked by, and must follow the rules of, the CQC. They make sure that standards of quality and safety are being met. You should check for a CQC logo on a website selling medicines online.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

Anyone legally selling prescription medication in the UK must hold a licence from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The website should have the common logo used across the EU to show which websites are working legally. Clicking on the logo should take you to the register where you can see where the retailer is based and registered. If you’re buying in the UK, you should make sure they’re registered in the UK. You can also check if a website is legally allowed to sell medicine using the MHRA register.

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)

All legal, online pharmacies must follow the rules of the GPhC or the RPS. The GPhC has a logo system. Look for a rectangular green cross with a unique registered number shown on the website. If a pharmacist is a member of the RPS they may display the RPS logo on their website.

General Medical Council (GMC)

All online doctors must be registered with the GMC and work to the Good Medical Practice Guidelines. Look for a 7-digit registration number which should be displayed with each doctor on the website. You can also check this number on the GMC website.

Online doctors who sell medication need to be connected to regulated and trusted pharmacies. These pharmacies must have a physical address which should be clearly displayed on their website. Be sure the website has a registered UK address.

Some of the ways you can check if a company is operating legally and within regulations, include:

• checking their homepage or website for a visible registration with the relevant regulatory body such as the GPhC or CQC
• having a look for a regulation page for the company which should detail all of their registrations and contact information
• if you cannot find this information on the company’s website – you can check on the regulatory body’s website for their registration information, however, it should also be clearly displayed on their website

Check that you need a prescription, or will be given one

It’s illegal for a website to sell you prescription medication if you do not already have a prescription unless they are licensed to give you one themselves.

Online pharmacies should always check that you have a prescription before dispensing medicine to you.

Look for a fair returns policy

A fair returns policy is a good way to check a site is operating legally and can be trusted. A fair returns policy should allow you to return any unused and unopened products for a full refund. The company should also write to you and tell you if, for any reason, they can no longer prescribe your medication and issue a full refund.

Check how trustworthy the site seems

1. Look for high-quality information on the company’s website about the medications they offer and the conditions they treat. For example, there should be good scientific research to back up any claims the company makes about a specific service or product. Plus, it should be free of spelling and grammar mistakes.
2. Make sure the company has someone available to talk to if you need to. Trustworthy websites will show a contact phone number or a messaging system, where doctors or pharmacists can answer any questions you may have.
3. If the prices are much lower than competitors, this might mean that the company is not practising properly.
4. Look for a privacy statement, shipping costs, and payment options. Some companies are looking to build their database of contact information, so they may use illegal methods to get money from you, or find out your personal information.
5. The site should also have secure systems that encrypt information (turn it into code) to make sure payments are safe. You can check this by looking at the website address in the browser. It should start with https:// and not just http://. The ‘s’ shows the page is secure.

Spam emails are messages that are sent out to many people from unknown sources to collect personal information, or to sell products. These emails may contain software that can damage your computer.

You should only receive emails from companies that you have given permission to contact you.

Ways to spot spam emails:

• look at the subject line: spam emails might mention cure-all medications or talk directly about conditions like erectile dysfunction or weight loss
• the address of the email sender might be unusual – if the email address has random characters or numbers in it, or you don’t recognise the organisation, it could be spam
• look for spelling mistakes that seem to have been made on purpose – this is used to allow the email to pass through spam filters
• many spam emails have a sexual subject and some use offensive language

The MHRA has previously warned the public about fake weight loss medications, particularly some weight loss injections like Saxenda (now being replaced by Nevolat) and Ozempic, circulating in the UK. These medications can be dangerous, so it is important that when you are considering purchasing weight loss injections and pills, you are doing so from a reputable source.

Alongside the general guidance on buying medications online, there are some things you should be aware of when looking to buy weight loss medications online.

Buying prescription-only weight loss medication online without a prescription is illegal

To buy prescription weight loss medication online, you must get them prescribed by a registered healthcare professional. Buying prescription weight loss medications in the UK without a doctor’s approval is illegal because a prescription means a doctor has checked to make sure the medication is suitable for you to take.

Weight loss medication can cause side effects

Like any medication, weight loss medications can cause side effects. They are not a quick-fix solution as some sales outlets are suggesting. They are also not cosmetic treatments, so they can only be legally and safely dispensed with a prescription from a doctor or other registered healthcare professional.

Speak with a GP or healthcare professional first

The best way to ensure you’re receiving genuine medication is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy or online doctor service, with a prescription from a healthcare professional. Online doctor services, like ZAVA, require you to complete an online consultation with a registered doctor to make sure the treatment you have requested is suitable for you. If it is, one of our registered doctors will issue a prescription for you.

If you’re offered prescription weight loss medications without a prescription or in any other way, either online or offline, it is illegal and you could be putting your health at risk. There are some over-the-counter weight loss medications available, like alli (orlistat 60mg capsules), which you can get without a prescription. However, you must still answer a few questions from a pharmacist or healthcare professional before it’s approved.

Be aware of fake online pharmacies and social media posts

Before requesting a weight loss treatment from an online source, check it is legitimate. Criminals will go to great lengths to make their websites look legitimate, but you can check if a UK-based online pharmacy is registered on the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) website.

When you feel like something is wrong, it’s very easy to pull out your phone and try to find out the cause using information online.

But trying to work out what might be wrong by yourself is not a good idea.

Different conditions and illnesses can cause many of the same symptoms, so it’s difficult to be sure that your own diagnosis is correct. For example, changes in mood can be caused by depression but they can also be a symptom of other conditions, like the menopause.

Taking medication for the wrong condition may not be safe, or could make your symptoms worse.

The best way to work out what medicine you need is to talk to a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. You can do this online with ZAVA, or in person.

To obtain prescription weight loss medication in the UK, you must get approval from a registered healthcare professional, either in person or following an online or face-to-face consultation. This allows the doctor to assess if your treatment request is safe and suitable for you.

To get most prescription-only weight loss medication, you will need to meet some eligibility criteria. This means you will need to have a body mass index (BMI) of:

• 30 or above
• 27 or above and a weight-related health condition, like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure

You can get prescription weight loss medications in the UK from:

• online doctor services or pharmacies
• the NHS – only orlistat is available on the NHS from your GP, while other options can be prescribed through specialist weight management services
• private clinics

If you request prescription weight loss medication from an online doctor service, like ZAVA, you will receive your medication discreetly in the post or you may be able to arrange a collection following a doctor’s approval.

Weight loss tablets

Prescription weight loss tablets available in the UK

Orlistat, also available under the brand name Xenical, and MySimba are prescription-only weight loss tablets available in the UK.

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor which works by blocking the enzyme, lipase, which is responsible for breaking down fats so they can be absorbed. It works by stopping around a third of the fat you eat from being absorbed so that it is passed out in your stools as waste.

MySimba is an appetite suppressant which contains the active ingredients naltrexone and bupropion. They work on the areas of the brain responsible for controlling appetite, food intake, and energy balance, so you feel satisfied for longer, eat less, and lose weight. It also acts on the part of the brain that associates food with pleasure and reward. MySimba is only available on a private prescription and not on the NHS.

Effectiveness of prescription weight loss tablets

The effectiveness of prescription weight loss pills depends on the medication, the active ingredients, and how your body responds to it. The results from clinical trials have shown that:

• orlistat (Xenical) can help 37% of people lose at least 5% of their starting weight after 12 weeks
• Mysimba helps people lose, on average, 8.1% of their starting weight after 56 weeks of treatment

For the best results, these, and other weight loss medications, should be part of a wider weight management plan that includes healthy dietary changes, and an exercise plan.

Potential side effects and risks

While prescription weight loss pills can be an effective weight loss tool, they can cause side effects for some people. Most side effects are mild and temporary and will go away on their own as your body gets used to the new medication.

Below are some of the very common side effects and risks associated with orlistat and MySimba.

Orlistat (Xenical) very common side effects include:

• headache
• abdominal pain or discomfort
• urgent or increased need to open your bowels
• flatulence (gas) with discharge
• oily discharge
• oily or fatty stools
• liquid stools
• low blood sugar levels

Mysimba very common side effects include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• constipation
• headache

Who should not take it?

Do not take orlistat if you:

• are allergic to orlistat or any of its ingredients
• have chronic malabsorption syndrome
• have cholestasis
• are breastfeeding

Do not take Mysimba if you:

• are allergic to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have abnormally high and uncontrolled blood pressure
• have fits (seizures)
• have a brain tumour
• are usually a heavy alcohol drinker
• have recently stopped taking sedatives or anxiety medications
• have or have had bipolar disorder
• are taking any other medications containing naltrexone or bupropion
• have or have had an eating disorder
• are currently dependent on opiates or opiate agonists
• are taking medication for depression or Parkinson’s disease
• have severe liver disease
• have end-stage kidney diseases

Rarely these medications can cause serious side effects. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should stop taking the medication and get immediate medical help:

• allergic reactions – severe difficulty breathing, swollen lips, tongue, face, or throat, feeling or being sick, itching, rash, wheals
• diverticulitis – bleeding from your back passage
• hepatitis – yellowing skin or eyes, itching, stomach pain, tenderness under your rib cage on the right-hand side
• suicidal thoughts and depression
• seizures
• rhabdomyolysis – severe muscle cramps, muscle pain or weakness
• blistering of the skin

Prescription weight loss pills alternatives

Prescription weight loss pills are not the only medications and strategies available to help you lose weight.

alli is an over-the-counter weight loss pill that contains 60mg of orlistat, half the dose of the prescription-only medication. It can be bought in most UK pharmacies over the counter and online without a prescription. However, you will need to speak to a pharmacist or complete an online questionnaire, so that a registered healthcare professional can assess if alli is safe and suitable for you.

Weight loss injections

Prescription weight loss injections available in the UK

There are several weight loss injections available with a valid prescription in the UK. To be eligible, you will need to meet the same criteria for weight loss tablets to obtain weight loss injections. Currently, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Nevolat (liraglutide generic) are available in the UK for weight loss.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is a once-weekly weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide. It is a dual-acting medication because it mimics 2 naturally produced hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, to regulate your appetite, making you feel more satisfied, and preventing overeating.

Wegovy

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide and works in a similar way to Mounjaro for weight loss because it mimics the action of GLP-1 to regulate your appetite.

Liraglutide

Unlike Wegovy and Mounjaro, liraglutide is a daily weight loss injection that is found under the name Nevolat as a generic injection. It also mimics the action of GLP-1 to regulate appetite and fullness.

Effectiveness of prescription weight loss injections

The effectiveness of prescription weight loss injections depends on the medication, the active ingredients, and how your body responds to it.

Mounjaro is considered the most effective weight loss medication currently available because it can help individuals lose up to 22.5% of their initial body weight while taking the highest maintenance dose (15mg) after 72 weeks.

Wegovy has been shown to help people lose up to 15% of their starting body weight when taking the highest maintenance dose after 68 weeks.

Research shows that liraglutide can help people lose an average of 8% of their starting body weight after 56 weeks of treatment at the highest maintenance dose.

For the best results, these, and other weight loss medications, should be part of a wider weight management plan that includes healthy dietary changes, and an exercise plan.

Potential side effects and risks

While prescription weight loss injections can be an effective weight loss tool, they can cause side effects for some people. Most side effects are mild and temporary and will go away on their own as your body gets used to the new medication and have the possibility of coming back with a dose increase.

Below are some of the very common side effects and risks associated with Mounjaro, Wegovy, and liraglutide.

Common Wegovy side effects

The most common side effects of Wegovy are:

• headaches
• feeling sick / being sick
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• feeling weak or tired

The side effects usually go away over time.

Common Mounjaro side effects

Very common side effects of Mounjaro are:

• diarrhoea
• constipation
• feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
• when used in combination with certain diabetes medications: low blood sugar

Side effects that affect the digestive system are usually not severe. They mostly show up after starting the treatment or after increasing the dosage – once the body gets used to the medication, these side effects usually disappear.

Common liraglutide side effects

Very common side effects of liraglutide include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• headaches

These side effects usually go away after a few days or weeks.

Who should not take it?

Weight loss injections may not be safe if you:

• take certain medications, such as diabetes medicines (including insulin) and immunosuppressants
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have pancreatic disorders, such as pancreatitis
• have a history of thyroid cancer
• have a history of gallbladder disease

Rarely these medications can cause serious side effects. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should stop taking the medication and get immediate medical help:

• severe stomach pain, especially if it spreads to your back – this could be a sign of pancreatitis
• yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice) or very dark urine – these could be signs of liver problems, gallstones or pancreatitis
• difficulty breathing or swelling in your face or throat – this could mean you’re having a severe allergic reaction

Other weight loss alternatives

If prescription medications are not for you, there are several weight loss strategies you can try:

1. Diet changes – following a calorie-controlled, healthy diet or low-fat diet can be beneficial for weight loss and limit the chances of consuming excess calories.
2. Exercise – regular physical activity can help burn calories and create a calorie deficit to induce weight loss.
3. Stress management – if stress causes you to overeat, techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, and Pilates can help to manage stress and have a positive impact on your appetite and weight.
4. Improve sleep – poor sleep habits can affect your metabolism, making it more difficult to burn calories and lose weight. Sleep is also important for regulating the hormones that control your appetite. Adopting good sleep hygiene practices and routines will be helpful for getting a good night’s sleep.
5. Behavioural therapy – some people find that a behavioural counsellor or psychologist can help, especially if you struggle with emotional eating.
6. Weight loss surgery – usually recommended in the most severe cases and include procedures such as a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.

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