Weight Loss FAQs

Your most frequently asked questions about our weight loss service have been answered. Check here if you need support with placing an order, uploading your photos, or anything else related to your weight loss treatment with ZAVA.

Your top questions

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When should I place my next order?

We recommend placing your next order at least 2 weeks before your next dose is due. You can also request a bundle to get multiple doses of treatment in one go.

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What photos do you require to verify my BMI?

You'll be asked to provide 3 photos using our guided photo tool. 2 full body shots, and one photo of your feet on a set of scales. These are requested to help our doctors confirm your BMI, so they can safely prescribe treatment.

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When will my order be delivered?

After your order has been approved (this can take 4-6 days), you will receive an email with full tracking details and an updated delivery time estimate from Royal Mail, depending on the delivery method you chose at checkout.

Placing an order

When should I place my next order?

We recommend placing your next order at least 2 weeks before your next dose is due. This helps ensure your next pen arrives on time.

When starting a higher dose, our doctors also recommend taking at least 2 doses before reordering, so you can properly assess how your body is responding and whether you’re tolerating the dose well.

Ready to reorder? Complete the repeat questionnaire in your patient account.

How do I reorder for my next dose?

You can place a repeat order (including orders for your next higher dose) now or via your order history in your patient account.

After completing your consultation, we will show you the next higher dose, the same dose you are currently on and the next lower dose so you can highlight your treatment preference.

Place an order

Why can I not see the product I need to order?

Our questionnaire is designed to only show treatments that are available and suitable for your health and needs. If what you’re looking for isn’t showing after a consultation, this is most likely because:

  • The questionnaire showed that treatment isn’t suitable for you
  • The questionnaire wasn’t completed correctly
  • The treatment is temporarily unavailable or out of stock

If this occurs, we suggest:

  • Checking our treatments page periodically to see if it's back in stock
  • Considering filling out another questionnaire to ensure accuracy

If you’re already on treatment:

Your next dose may be out of stock - If this is the case, it is recommended that you remain on your pre-existing dose for the next course and increase the dosage when your desired dosage becomes available again.

Why is my order still pending?

Currently, orders can take up to 4-6 days to be approved by our doctors. During this period, your order will be pending. Please make sure you've submitted your photos (if required) to help speed up this process.

Please also check your patient account regularly in case your doctor has any further questions, as you will need to respond before they can approve your order.

Can I order more in advance?

Yes, you can order more of your weight loss injections in advance. We recommend ordering at least 2 weeks before your next dose is due.

Your options:

Request a bundle

You can request a bundle which provides 2-3 doses of treatment, saving you time on reorders and makes sure you’ve got plenty of treatment in advance. There are multiple bundles available depending on which stage of your journey you’re at. These include:

  • Maintenance bundles - multiple pens containing the same dose
  • Step up bundles - Pens containing different doses for moving up a dose and continuing your journey.

Place multiple orders

Once you’ve been approved for treatment, you can place multiple orders at one time. You can place up to 6 orders, provided our doctors approve.

Change dose

When starting a higher dose, our doctors also recommend taking at least 2 doses before reordering, so you can properly assess how your body is responding and whether you’re tolerating the dose well.

My order is taking longer than expected

Due to high demand, our doctors are currently processing orders within 4-6 days. After this, your order will be passed on to our delivery partner for delivery. Delivery estimates are set from the point of doctor approval.

If your order is taking longer than expected, please check the status of your order in your patient account. Please also ensure you have submitted any photos required and responded to any queries from our doctors.

BMI verification

What photos may you require?

As part of your consultation for weight loss treatment, we may ask you to provide a few photos. These help our doctors assess whether the treatment is suitable for you and ensure it remains safe throughout your weight loss journey.

To make this easy, we use our own guided Photo Tool, which works directly in your smartphone’s browser. You’ll get clear, step-by-step instructions on how to set up your space, what to wear, and how to pose for each photo.

We’ll request these photos when you place your first order and at key points during your treatment, so we can safely monitor your progress and make informed decisions about your care.

You can take as many attempts as you like before submitting, and only the final photos you choose to send will be stored securely and solely for the purpose of verifying your BMI.

For the most up-to-date photo requirements, please visit our BMI verification page.

Will I always need to upload photos after placing an order?

No, you will only be asked for photos:

  • When you first order weight loss treatment
  • When our doctors need to confirm your BMI and progress during your journey

Ready to place your next order? Log into your account.

Why are my provided photos not adequate?

To be approved, your photos need to follow the exact guidelines outlined in our guided photo tool. You will be provided with these instructions while taking and submitting your photos. If your photos are not accepted, it is most likely because they do not meet these criteria. We will let you know if we require new photos or if our doctors have any questions.

We understand that taking photos can be a sensitive issue, and we appreciate your effort in providing them. However, if your photos do not meet the above criteria or our doctors cannot verify their integrity, we may need to ask for further photos.

What if I don't want to submit photos?

We understand that submitting photos can feel uncomfortable, but we need to request these as we can’t see you in person and need to verify your BMI. Using weight loss medication incorrectly can have dangerous side effects, and we want to guarantee that we are prescribing safely and appropriately for our patients. So while we understand this might be difficult for you, we need to do this or we can’t prescribe you treatment.

Managing your doses and treatments

How do I know to increase my dose?

If you’re just getting started, you’ll usually stay on the same dose for at least 4 weeks. This gives your body time to adjust and helps reduce side effects. If you’re tolerating the dose well, with no or only mild side effects, and feel ready, our doctors generally recommend moving up to the next dose.

If you’re still adjusting or experiencing side effects, especially nausea or stomach upset, it’s completely fine to stay on your current dose for a little longer. Many patients do this to give their body more time to settle.

If you’ve been on treatment for a while, it’s important to consider a few things before going up a dose:

  • If you are seeing steady weight loss, have good appetite control, and are not experiencing side effects, you can stay on your current dose.
  • If your appetite or food-related thoughts are returning, or your weight loss has slowed, and you are not experiencing any or only mild side effects, you may benefit from moving up.
  • If you are experiencing side effects or still feel unsure, staying on your current dose a bit longer is also a valid option.

You’ll be asked to select a dose when placing your next order. One of our doctors will review your answers and confirm whether the dose you’ve chosen is right for you.

If you’re ready to place your next order, you can do so by completing our repeat questionnaire. A doctor will review your answers and confirm whether the dose you’ve chosen is right for you.

How should I adjust my dosage?

You adjust your dose by slowly titrating upwards, if you’re ready and want to. You can also stay on the same dose or move down a dose if you’re struggling with side effects.

The time between doses for Mounjaro and Wegovy is usually 4 weeks. But this can change depending on how you're responding to your treatment. After 4 weeks, you can review your treatment and consider whether it’s time to move up a dose or if you need more time.

Learn more about Mounjaro dosages

Learn more about Wegovy dosages

Nevolat doses are gradually increased week on week until you reach the maximum daily dosage after 4 weeks, though again, this is dependent on how your body responds to the treatment.

You should only ever adjust your dose as instructed by your doctor. Always follow your doctor's instructions and check your treatment plan in your patient account before changing your dose.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take your Mounjaro or Wegovy injection:

If it's been 4 days or less: Take the injection as soon as you remember. Then, take your next dose on your regular schedule.

If it's been more than 4 days but still less than a full missed week: Skip the missed dose and simply wait and take your next dose on your regular scheduled day.

If it has been more than a full week missed: You might need to restart at the lowest dose. See our doctor's advice in your patient account specific to your treatment.

If you forget your Nevolat (liraglutide) injection:

If it has been less than 12 hours: inject it as soon as you remember.

If it has been more than 12 hours since you should have used it: skip this missed dose and inject your next dose on the following day at your usual time.

You must never double the dose or increase the dose on the following day to make up for the missed dose.

How long will my treatment last?

For injectable weekly weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro, each pen contains 4 doses. You take 1 dose a week, so 1 pen lasts 4 weeks (28 days).

For injectable daily medications like liraglutide (Nevolat), it depends on what dosage you’re on. Each pen is filled with 18mg of liraglutide. This means a pen can last anywhere from 6 to 17 days, and will last longer at the start of your treatment. To start with, you’ll need up to 3 pens per month. Once you reach the 3mg maintenance dose, each pen will last 6 days, which means 5 pens will contain a month’s supply.

Oral medication can be requested in courses of up to three months at a time.

How do I switch to a different weight loss medication?

To switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro:

  1. Request Mounjaro at the starting dose. This will let our doctors know you want to change medication
  2. Our doctors will review your questionnaire and advise you on what to do next

Please note: You must stop taking Wegovy for at least 5 weeks before you can start Mounjaro.

Learn more about switching from Wegovy to Mounjaro

To switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy:

  1. Request Wegovy at the starting dose. This will let our doctors know you want to change medication
  2. Our doctors will review your questionnaire and advise you on what to do next

Please note: You must stop taking Mounjaro for at least 4 weeks before you can start Wegovy.

Medication tips, storage and side effects

What are the side effects of weight loss injections?

The most common side effects of Wegovy are: headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue.

The most common side effects of Mounjaro are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

The most common side effects of Nevolat are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and headache.

If you are worried about side effects, you can message our doctors directly through your patient account.

How should I store my medication?

Weekly injections: Wegovy & Mounjaro

Unopened: Both Wegovy and Mounjaro should be stored in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C. Keep them in their original packaging until ready for use. Do not freeze them.

After First Use: Once the pen has been used, it can be stored at room temperature (not exceeding 25°C) for up to 30 days, or you can continue storing it in the fridge. Each pen should last 21 days (4 doses in total) after their first use. When not in use, keep the pen cap on to protect it from light.

Please note:

  • Wegovy must be used within 6 weeks of being exposed to temperatures above 8°C
  • Mounjaro must be used within 30 days of being exposed to temperatures above 8°C

Daily injection: Nevolat (liraglutide)

Unopened: Store in a refrigerator (2˚C to 8˚C). You mustn't freeze your medication, and keep it away from the freezer compartment.

After first use: Keep the pen for 1 month when stored at a temperature below 30˚C or in a refrigerator (2˚C to 8˚C). Do not freeze, and keep away from the freezer compartment. Do not use the medication if the solution is not clear and colourless, or almost colourless. When you are not using the pe, keep the pen cap on to protect it from light.

How can I get more needles?

You can get more needles from your local pharmacy. We recommend 32G/4mm screw fit needles. Compatible examples include BD Micro-Fine Ultra, GlucoRx Ultra Carepoint, and GlucoRx Finepoint.

For Nevolat we recommend needles up to a length of 8mm and as thin as 32G. The pen is designed to be used with BD Ultra-FineTM disposable needles or NovoFine disposable needles.

Why does the syringe look like it has more doses?

This extra liquid leftover in your pen is not meant for use, but is included to ensure the pen can deliver the correct dose every time. Weight loss pens, like those for Semaglutide or Tirzepatide, are carefully calibrated to leave a small amount of unused medication in the pen after the final dose. This ensures the mechanism works reliably and that you receive the full, accurate dose prescribed by your doctor.

Attempting to extract this leftover medication can interfere with the device’s design and compromise both your safety and the effectiveness of the treatment. Always use your pen as instructed and dispose of it safely after completing the prescribed doses.

What if I have lost or misused a dose?

If you lose or misuse a dose of your Mounjaro or Wegovy injection, you have two options:

Option 1: Ideally, you should use each dose for at least 4 weeks before moving to the next one. We recommend getting the same dose again and continuing with another pen for another 4 weeks. There's no harm in staying on a lower dose longer than 4 weeks. Many people do this to allow any side effects to settle.

Option 2: If you don’t want to stay on the same dose and have not had any side effects, you can consider moving up to the next dose after your 3 doses are finished. However, this is not the recommended use of the pen and may cause more side effects at higher doses.

If you lose or misuse more than one dose, you should order another pen of the same dose to continue for at least 4 weeks in total. We do not recommend moving up to the next dose if you've had fewer than 3 doses at your current level.

If you lose or misuse a dose of your Nevolat injection you have 2 options:

Option 1: Ideally, you should use each dose for at least 1 week before moving to the next one. We recommend getting the same dose again and continuing with another pen for another week. There's no harm in staying on a lower dose longer than a week. Many people do this to allow any side effects to settle.

Option 2: If you don’t want to stay on the same dose and have not had any side effects, you can consider moving up to the next dose after your first 3 doses are finished. However, this is not the recommended use of the pen and may cause more side effects at the higher dose.

If you lose or misuse more than one dose, you should order another pen of the same dose to continue for at least 1 week in total. We do not recommend moving up to the next dose if you've had fewer than 3 doses at your current level.

If you’ve given yourself too much Nevolat, then take a gap of up to 2 days before having another injection at the correct dose. Any side effects should resolve with time, but contact a doctor if you have any concerns.

What should I do, if I mistakenly took an extra dose?

If you mistakenly took an extra dose, you may experience more intense side effects, but these will settle over time. If the side effects are troublesome, delay your next dose by a few days. If the side effects are too difficult to manage or are not getting better, speak to a healthcare professional.

Why aren't I losing more weight?

You may notice that you suddenly stop losing weight after a period of weight loss. This is called a weight loss plateau, and it's a natural part of the process.

When you increase your dose, you also might notice that it doesn't work as well as before. This is normal, as your body gets used to the new dose. At first, you might also lose water weight instead of fat, which is why your weight may stabilise.

If you keep taking your medication as directed, eat healthy and exercise regularly, you should continue losing weight after your plateau.

Learn more about weight loss plateaus

What is food noise?

Food noise is the term used to describe regular thoughts about food which happen even when you’re not feeling physically hungry. It’s mainly a mental desire to eat food rather than a signal that your body physically needs food and nourishment.

Examples of food noise may include:

  • finding yourself thinking about having a snack a short time after eating a meal
  • feeling like you really want a particular food after seeing an advert for it, even though you’ve just eaten

Weight loss injections help people manage food noise, making weight loss more achievable.

Learn more about food noise

I’m struggling with food cravings

Food cravings can be one of the biggest challenges when trying to maintain a healthy diet or lose weight. Our doctors are here to support you with tips to manage cravings, as well as ongoing support with adjusting your treatments to help deal with them.

Get tips from our nutrition experts on managing cravings

Weight loss injections work by helping you manage food cravings, so it’s easier to maintain a healthy diet. If you’re noticing your food cravings are coming back or getting worse during treatment, it might be time to increase your dose.

How long does it take for the medication to work?

It depends on the person. Some people see results within a few weeks, while others might need a few months.

You might start feeling fuller after a few doses, but it can take time for the medication to fully work in your body. If you don't see any changes after a few months, you can talk to your doctor about other options.

What are alternative treatments for weight loss? Would something else work better?

For weight loss injections, options include Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Nevolat. Wegovy contains semaglutide, mimicking GLP-1 to signal fullness. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, mimicking hunger and satiety hormones. Nevolat, containing liraglutide, also signals fullness and aids weight loss with diet and exercise.

For weight loss tablets, Orlistat/Xenical blocks fat absorption, while Mysimba acts on brain areas controlling appetite and food cravings. alli, an over-the-counter tablet, contains a lower dose of Orlistat.

Regular weight reviews are essential with any treatment, alongside a healthy diet and exercise plan.

More about our Weight Loss options

Travelling abroad

How do I get a letter for my GP or to be able to travel with the medication?

We understand the importance of having proper documentation for your treatment or travel needs. Once your treatment is approved, we provide a GP letter. You can quickly download it via your patient account in your "order history".

Will I need to drop back to the starting dose if I travel?

Travelling with Wegovy and Mounjaro: If you're travelling and need to adjust your dosing schedule, you can do so as long as there are at least 4 days between any two doses. You will need to go back to your starting dose if you have more than a 2-week gap between doses.

Travelling with Nevolat: You can safely travel with Nevolat. If you do not want to take your medication with you, speak to your doctor as you may need to restart treatment at the lowest dose if you miss more than 2 days of injections. You can also change the time you take Nevolat while you’re away if you need to, but try to stick to the same time each day once you’ve changed it.

How can I change my dosing days if I'm going on holiday?

Travelling with Wegovy and Mounjaro: If you're planning a holiday and need to adjust your dosing schedule, you can do so as long as there are at least 4 days between any two doses. However, if you have more than a 2-week gap between doses, you must go back to the starting dose of your treatment and work your way up again.

Travelling with Nevolat: Nevolat needs to be taken every day, so you cannot change dosing days.

Delivery

When will my order be delivered?

After your order has been approved (this can take 4-6 days), you will receive an email with full tracking details and an updated delivery time estimate from Royal Mail, depending on the delivery method you chose at checkout.

Keep an eye on your emails and patient account for any updates to the status of your order.

Log into your account here

How will my order be delivered?

Weight loss injections will be delivered via cold delivery. Cold Delivery is required for temperature-controlled products that need refrigerated storage until use by the patient. The flexible thermal packaging, which consists of an insulated pouch to maintain the necessary storage temperatures.

To keep your treatment safe, don’t change the delivery date or redirect via Royal Mail, as this can delay your order or stop it from being kept at the right temperature. Royal Mail will email you tracking details and your exact delivery day.

What happens if my order is delivered late?

If your medication arrives late, refrigerate it immediately and send us a message to let us know via your patient account.

Please check that the liquid in your pen is clear, and not cloudy and do not throw away any packaging.

All deliveries do include cooling packs to keep medication at the right temperature during delivery.

Need to let us know about a delay? Log into your account here

Can I collect my order from a pharmacy?

We are unable to provide these medications for collection at this point in time.