GLP-1 Specialist · One Named Clinician · Hampstead NW3
Specialist Medical Weight Management in Hampstead, NW3.
The same Independent Prescriber at every visit — in person at our Hampstead clinic, or by secure video.
Mahyar Saremi has practised as a Specialist Prescribing Pharmacist for over a decade, with dedicated obesity-medicine training through the World Obesity Federation’s SCOPE programme.
- From £149 per pen
- Same Prescriber Every Visit
- Face-to-Face or Video
- Walk Out With Your Medication
- GP & Specialist Liaison
- £30 booking deposit, deducted from your treatment cost
- No subscription, no fixed contract
- GP and specialist liaison, with your consent
Why a specialist matters
Three credentials behind every consultation.
Weight-management medicines are powerful and require careful dose decisions, side-effect management, and ongoing review. Here are the qualifications and experience your prescriber brings to that work.
SCOPE · World Obesity Federation
Trained in Obesity Medicine
Mahyar has completed the SCOPE Core Learning Path, a formal obesity-medicine programme run by the World Obesity Federation. It covers eligibility assessment, comorbidity management, behavioural support, and the safe clinical use of weight-management medicines.
For you
Your suitability, side-effect management, and lifestyle support are assessed against a structured obesity-medicine framework — not by an algorithm or a generic intake form.
NHS Borough & Formulary Lead
Senior NHS Prescribing Advisor
Until May 2024, Mahyar was Borough Lead Pharmacist for the NHS North West London ICB Medicines Optimisation Team and Lead Formulary Pharmacist for the North West London Integrated Formulary — a population of around 2.4 million. The role required formal judgments about which medicines were safe and clinically appropriate to prescribe, including in patients with co-morbidities and complex polypharmacy.
For you
If you take other medicines or have complex health conditions, you’re consulting with a prescriber whose career has centred on assessing exactly these situations safely.
IPresc · Since 2012
Independent Prescriber for Over a Decade
Mahyar has held independent prescribing rights since 2012. That covers the entire period in which licensed weight-management treatments have been introduced to the UK private market — over a decade of continuous, hands-on prescribing experience in this area.
For you
Your care isn’t dictated by a rigid protocol. Mahyar can prescribe supportive treatment for common side effects — nausea, reflux, constipation — in the same consultation, and adapt your plan as your needs change.
Verifiable. GPhC pharmacist registration 2069409. GPhC registered premises 1040582. Faculty of Travel Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow — full member.
Your clinical team
One prescriber, one team. Built for continuity.
You’ll be cared for by a small, named team — not assigned to whoever happens to be on shift. The same prescriber leads every consultation, supported by clinic colleagues who know your programme.
Mahyar is the Superintendent Pharmacist and Specialist Independent Prescriber at Hampstead Heath Pharmacy. He qualified at Liverpool John Moores University, completed his hospital training at Homerton Hospital, and worked as a rotational pharmacist at the Royal Free Hospital before gaining his independent prescribing qualification in 2012.
Until May 2024, Mahyar held senior NHS prescribing roles as Borough Lead Pharmacist for the NHS North West London ICB Medicines Optimisation Team and Lead Formulary Pharmacist for the North West London Integrated Formulary — serving a population of around 2.4 million. The work centred on assessing the safety and clinical appropriateness of medicines for patients with co-morbidities and complex polypharmacy. That same judgment now informs every weight-management consultation.
Mahyar has prescribed across every generation of licensed weight-management medicine introduced to the UK private market, with continuous clinical experience over more than seven years. He has completed dedicated obesity-medicine training through the World Obesity Federation’s SCOPE programme, and now leads the weight-management clinic at Hampstead Heath Pharmacy — supported by the wider team below.
Already on treatment elsewhere?
Switch without starting over.
Many of our patients transfer from online providers because of real frustrations: rotating prescribers, supply delays, rigid restart protocols that erase your progress, no meaningful monitoring of how treatment is working, and unmanaged side effects that can compromise safety. If that’s you, here’s what changes when you switch to us.
Your dose continues, where it’s safe to.
If you’re stable on a working dose and tolerating it well, we will not automatically restart you at the starting dose. Mahyar continues from your current dose, or one step down where indicated for safety.
The same prescriber at every visit.
Mahyar makes every clinical decision in your treatment — assessment, dose changes, side-effect support. No rotating prescribers, no different name on each renewal.
We monitor what matters.
Body-composition changes, side-effect patterns, dose tolerability, and clinical response are reviewed at every appointment — not just whether you’re due a refill. Consistent oversight catches issues early, including muscle loss, which is a known concern with these medicines.
Reliable supply from a real pharmacy.
All strengths held in stock at our Hampstead premises. Walk out with your medication on the day, or have it delivered with insulated packaging and ice packs by Royal Mail Special Delivery.
How switching works
- Book a FIRST Appointment — in person at our Hampstead clinic, or by secure video.
- Complete the intake questionnaire (emailed to you immediately after booking) and upload evidence of your most recent supply from your current provider — e.g. a prescription label or dispensing receipt.
- Attend your consultation. Mahyar reviews your prescribing history, current dose, and side-effect record, and prescribes from a clinically appropriate dose.
£30 deposit, deducted from treatment cost. No subscription or fixed contract.
Eligibility
Is this service for you?
We’re transparent about who this programme is for, and who it isn’t. Both matter — for your safety, and for an honest first consultation.
Suitable for
Adults whose weight is affecting their health.
- BMI of 30 kg/m² or above
- BMI of 27 kg/m² or above with a weight-related health condition — for example raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol, pre-diabetes, or type 2 diabetes.
We particularly welcome patients with:
-
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Insulin resistance and hormonal patterns make weight loss genuinely harder. Your assessment accounts for this, and your treatment plan is tailored accordingly.
-
Peri- and post-menopausal weight gain
Hormonal and metabolic changes around menopause are common, real, and often dismissed elsewhere. We don’t dismiss them.
-
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Stable hypothyroidism, including Hashimoto’s, often makes weight loss harder. Some automated services exclude this group on the basis of an overcautious blanket thyroid rule. We don’t.
-
Polypharmacy and multiple long-term conditions
If you take several medicines or live with several long-term conditions, drug interactions and clinical context matter. Mahyar’s NHS formulary background is built for exactly this kind of assessment.
-
Post-bariatric weight regain
Weight regain after bariatric surgery is common and clinically distinct from primary weight gain. Your surgical history is factored into every prescribing decision.
Not suitable if you have
Conditions that make these medicines unsafe or inappropriate.
- A BMI under 27 kg/m² — these medicines aren’t licensed or appropriate for this group.
- Pregnancy, or planning pregnancy soon — these medicines must be discontinued before conception. We’ll discuss the right washout period during your consultation.
- Currently using insulin — whether for type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Combining insulin with these medicines significantly raises the risk of hypoglycaemia, which requires closer monitoring than this service provides.
- Severe gastroparesis — these medicines slow gastric emptying and would be expected to worsen the condition.
- An active eating disorder — appropriate care for an active eating disorder is best provided by a specialist eating-disorder service.
- A history of pancreatitis — we assess case by case; this isn’t an automatic exclusion, but it does require careful clinical judgment.
About the medicine
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)
General information about tirzepatide for patients researching medical weight management. Not a substitute for the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with the medicine, nor for a clinical consultation. Whether tirzepatide is appropriate for you, and at what dose, is decided with Mahyar at your initial consultation.
How it works
Tirzepatide activates two gut-hormone pathways at once — GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This dual action distinguishes it from earlier weight-management medicines, which target GLP-1 alone, and produces three main effects:
Appetite
Reduced hunger and food cravings, including reduced preoccupation with food between meals.
Satiety
Slower gastric emptying, so meals feel more satisfying for longer and portion sizes naturally reduce.
Glucose
Improved blood-sugar handling, with insulin released only when needed (no hypoglycaemia risk on its own).
Clinical evidence: SURMOUNT-1
Tirzepatide’s licence for weight management is based on the SURMOUNT clinical trials programme. The pivotal trial, SURMOUNT-1, enrolled 2,539 adults with obesity (or overweight with a weight-related condition) without type 2 diabetes, randomised to weekly tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, or placebo, over 72 weeks. All groups followed a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
These are average results from a clinical-trial population over 72 weeks, alongside structured diet and physical-activity changes. Individual results vary substantially. Most side effects were mild to moderate, peaked during dose escalation, and decreased over time as participants adjusted. Source: Jastreboff AM et al, NEJM 2022;387:205–216 (treatment-policy estimand).
How tirzepatide is prescribed
Tirzepatide is started at a low dose to allow the body to adjust, then increased gradually until the lowest effective dose is found. Six strengths are available:
The right dose for you depends on your individual weight-loss response and side-effect tolerability. Mahyar adjusts the schedule based on what’s working clinically — not on a fixed protocol. Some patients find their effective dose at 5 mg or 10 mg and stay there long-term; others continue to 15 mg.
Key safety considerations
Common gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation) are shown in the chart above. Two less common but important adverse drug reactions to be aware of are:
When to seek immediate medical attention
- Pancreatitis. Severe, persistent pain in the upper abdomen, often radiating to the back, with or without vomiting. Stop tirzepatide and seek immediate medical attention. Treatment must not be restarted if pancreatitis is confirmed.
- Gallbladder events (gallstones, gallbladder inflammation). Right upper-abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, or persistent nausea with these features. Seek prompt medical assessment.
Both are uncommon but require prompt attention if suspected. Every patient is briefed on these warning signs at consultation, and we report any serious adverse effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme as standard pharmacovigilance.
Authoritative information & resources
- Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for Mounjaro — the leaflet supplied with every pen, written for patients.
- What should I know about injectable weight-loss medications? — a plain-English Patient Page from JAMA Internal Medicine.
- MHRA Yellow Card Scheme — report any suspected adverse reactions directly to the MHRA. We also report on your behalf as part of our pharmacovigilance duties.
A real clinical conversation, not a tick-box form. £30 deposit, deducted from treatment cost.
About the medicine
Wegovy® (semaglutide)
General information about semaglutide for patients researching medical weight management. Not a substitute for the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with the medicine, nor for a clinical consultation. Whether semaglutide is appropriate for you, and at what dose, is decided with Mahyar at your initial consultation.
How it works
Semaglutide mimics the action of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a gut hormone released after eating. Wegovy was the first weight-management medicine to demonstrate consistent ≥10% weight reduction in clinical trials and remains one of the most extensively studied options. Its three main effects:
Appetite
Reduced hunger and food cravings, with reduced thinking about food between meals.
Satiety
Slower gastric emptying, so meals feel more satisfying for longer and portion sizes naturally reduce.
Glucose
Improved blood-sugar handling, with insulin released only when needed (no hypoglycaemia risk on its own).
Clinical evidence: STEP-1
Wegovy’s licence for weight management is based on the STEP clinical trials programme. The pivotal trial, STEP-1, enrolled 1,961 adults with obesity (or overweight with a weight-related condition) without type 2 diabetes, randomised to weekly Wegovy 2.4 mg or placebo, over 68 weeks. All groups followed a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
These are average results from a clinical-trial population over 68 weeks, alongside structured diet and physical-activity changes. Individual results vary substantially. Most side effects were mild to moderate, peaked during dose escalation, and decreased over time as participants adjusted. Source: Wilding JPH et al, NEJM 2021;384:989–1002 (treatment-policy estimand).
How semaglutide is prescribed
Wegovy is started at a low dose to allow the body to adjust, then increased gradually until the lowest effective dose is found. Five strengths are available:
The right dose for you depends on your individual weight-loss response and side-effect tolerability. Mahyar adjusts the schedule based on what’s working clinically — if you’re not tolerating a step well, we hold or step back rather than push through. Some patients reach their goals at 1 mg or 1.7 mg and stay there long-term; others continue to 2.4 mg.
Key safety considerations
Common gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation) are shown in the chart above. Two less common but important adverse drug reactions to be aware of are:
When to seek immediate medical attention
- Pancreatitis. Severe, persistent pain in the upper abdomen, often radiating to the back, with or without vomiting. Stop semaglutide and seek immediate medical attention. Treatment must not be restarted if pancreatitis is confirmed.
- Gallbladder events (gallstones, gallbladder inflammation). Right upper-abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, or persistent nausea with these features. Seek prompt medical assessment.
Both are uncommon but require prompt attention if suspected. Every patient is briefed on these warning signs at consultation, and we report any serious adverse effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme as standard pharmacovigilance.
Authoritative information & resources
- Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for Wegovy — the leaflet supplied with every pen, written for patients.
- What should I know about injectable weight-loss medications? — a plain-English Patient Page from JAMA Internal Medicine.
- MHRA Yellow Card Scheme — report any suspected adverse reactions directly to the MHRA. We also report on your behalf as part of our pharmacovigilance duties.
A real clinical conversation, not a tick-box form. £30 deposit, deducted from treatment cost.
Operational Standards
How we operate as a regulated UK pharmacy.
The operational systems, oversight, and accountability behind every consultation, prescription, and dispensed pen.
All strengths held in stock.
All licensed strengths are kept at our Hampstead premises. Once your treatment is agreed, you can collect on the day or have it dispatched the same working day.
UK-licensed product only.
We dispense only medicines that hold a UK Marketing Authorisation, sourced through MHRA-approved supply chains. Each pen is traceable from manufacturer to dispensing.
Cold chain handling, end to end.
GLP-1 medicines require refrigeration. We dispense from temperature-monitored fridges, and postal orders ship in insulated packaging with ice packs via Royal Mail Special Delivery to maintain cold chain in transit.
GP and specialist liaison.
We strongly recommend GP notification and, as standard, send brief letters at key points in your treatment. Where you’re under specialist care — endocrinology, gynaecology, gastroenterology, bariatric — we coordinate with them too.
MHRA Yellow Card pharmacovigilance.
Significant adverse events seen in our patients are reported to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme. Active pharmacovigilance is how UK medicine safety actually works — and it’s a duty we take seriously.
GPhC Registered Premises 1040582.
Hampstead Heath Pharmacy operates under General Pharmaceutical Council premises registration 1040582, with a named Superintendent Pharmacist (Mahyar Saremi) accountable for clinical governance.
Verify on the GPhC registerProgramme & Pricing
Transparent pricing. No subscription.
Every cost named, every line itemised. Pay only for what you use, when you use it. No fixed contracts, no auto-renewing monthly fees, no hidden ‘administration’ charges.
How our pricing works
- £30 booking deposit at the time of booking. Fully deducted from the cost of your treatment when you visit, provided you adhere to our cancellation policy.
- No subscription, no fixed contract. You pay per pen as you collect or receive your medication — nothing more, nothing on autopilot.
- Stop or pause at any time with no cancellation penalty. We’ll discuss the clinical considerations of stopping, but the choice remains yours.
What’s included with your medication
- Initial consultation with Mahyar (in person or by video)
- Eligibility, history and medication review
- Individual dose escalation plan
- Side-effect support throughout treatment
- Dedicated WhatsApp channel for between-visit questions
- Follow-up consultations (no separate consultation fee)
- GP and specialist liaison letters
- MHRA Yellow Card pharmacovigilance
Per pen · 4 weeks of treatment
Mounjaro®
tirzepatide · Eli Lilly
| Strength | Price per pen |
|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | £195 |
| 5 mg | £210 |
| 7.5 mg | £260 |
| 10 mg | £285 |
| 12.5 mg | £303 |
| 15 mg | £323 |
2.5 mg is the starting dose for the first 4 weeks. Dose is escalated only when clinically appropriate and tolerated.
Per pen · 4 weeks of treatment
Wegovy®
semaglutide · Novo Nordisk
| Strength | Price per pen |
|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | £149 |
| 0.5 mg | £149 |
| 1 mg | £149 |
| 1.7 mg | £199 |
| 2.4 mg | £249 |
Standard escalation runs across the lower strengths over the first months before reaching the maintenance dose.
Add-ons
Every delivery includes Royal Mail Special Delivery, Guaranteed by 1pm, insulated packaging and ice packs to maintain cold chain in transit — no separate cold-chain handling fee.
- Delivery — 1 or 2 pens Standard delivery for one or two pens together. £12
- Delivery — 3 pens, or first delivery For three pens together, or your first delivery package (1 pen plus pen needles plus sharps bin). £16
- Pen needles Box of 100 compatible 4 mm single-use pen needles. £5
- Sharps disposal bin Small clinical-waste bin for safe disposal of used needles. £2
How it works
From booking to ongoing care, in five steps.
What to expect at each step — and what we’ll need from you. No surprises.
-
Book your initial consultation.
All bookings happen online, through our Semble portal. Choose FIRST Appointment — in person at our Hampstead clinic, or by secure video — and pay the £30 booking deposit to confirm your slot. The deposit is fully deducted from the cost of your treatment.
- Online bookings only — no phone bookings or walk-ins
- £30 deposit, deducted from your treatment cost
- Same-day and next-day appointments often available
-
Complete your intake questionnaire.
Immediately after booking, you’ll receive an email with a link to your intake questionnaire. Complete it before your appointment — Mahyar reviews it ahead of time, so the consultation focuses on what matters to you, not on data entry.
- For virtual consultations: upload photo ID (a GPhC requirement)
- Switching providers: upload evidence of your most recent supply — e.g. a prescription label or dispensing receipt
- Reviewed by Mahyar before your appointment
-
Attend your consultation with Mahyar.
A real clinical conversation, not a tick-box form. Mahyar reviews your medical history, current medicines, weight history, and goals; discusses eligibility, expected benefits, and side-effect patterns; and decides together with you whether treatment is appropriate. If it isn’t, we’ll say so.
- For first virtual consultations: weight verified on a scale (a GPhC requirement)
- If treatment is appropriate, it’s prescribed and dispensed at the consultation
- Honest assessment — we’d rather have a difficult conversation than process a deposit for the wrong programme
-
Begin treatment.
If treatment is right for you, you’ll leave the consultation with your first pen — to take home from our Hampstead clinic, or dispatched the same working day by Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm. Mahyar walks you through injection technique in person, or during your video consultation.
- Walk out with your medication on the day, or have it delivered with insulated cold-chain packaging
- Pen needles (box of 100 4 mm, £5) and sharps bin (£2) available
- Dedicated WhatsApp number for between-visit questions — same-day or next-day replies during clinic hours
-
Ongoing reviews and progress monitoring.
Follow-up consultations are included with your medication — no separate consultation fee. At each review, Mahyar checks how the medication is actually working: body-composition changes, side-effect patterns, dose tolerability, and clinical response. Dose is escalated only when clinically appropriate and tolerated.
- Follow-up consultations included — no separate fee
- GP and specialist liaison letters at key points (with your consent)
- Pause or stop at any time, with no cancellation penalty
£30 deposit, deducted from treatment cost. No subscription or fixed contract.
Patient experiences
What our patients say.
Real Google reviews from three different patient journeys — in-person care, virtual consultations, and a switcher from another provider.
After years of struggling with my weight, I’m so glad I found this clinic. Being treated in person by a specialist pharmacist prescriber, Mahyar Saremi, made all the difference. Having regular face-to-face reviews is miles better than using an online pharmacy — my plan was properly tailored, side effects were sorted quickly, and I felt completely safe. I’ve lost a substantial amount of weight sustainably and couldn’t be happier. Highly recommend!
Verified Google review
Wonderful service from the team at HH Pharmacy, and they are always on hand to ask for advice, etc. you pay more for guaranteed delivery but well worth it! Would highly recommend them, especially for weight loss medication!
Verified Google review
I switched to Hampstead Heath Pharmacy for my weight loss injections after dealing with constant delays from a big provider, and it was such a good move. Mahyar gave me so much valuable advice that my previous provider completely missed. He’s always happy to answer my questions, which is incredibly reassuring. Having regular face-to-face reviews where they check my body composition and carefully sort out my dosage is brilliant. I’m steadily losing weight and finally feel properly looked after.
Verified Google review
Find us
In Hampstead, NW3 — and across the UK by video.
We’re directly opposite Hampstead Heath Overground, ten minutes’ walk from Belsize Park, or online from wherever you are in the UK.
Hampstead Heath Pharmacy
- Address
-
35 South End Road
Hampstead
London NW3 2PY - Phone
- 020 7435 7075
- Nearest stations
-
- Hampstead Heath (Overground) — directly opposite
- Belsize Park (Northern line) — 10-minute walk
- Hampstead (Northern line) — 12-minute walk
- Parking
- Pay-and-display parking on South End Road and surrounding streets (within the Camden controlled parking zone).
- On Google
- View on Google Maps →
Can’t make it to Hampstead?
Secure video consultations are available to patients across the United Kingdom, on Semble’s UK-approved consultation platform. The same Independent Prescriber, the same depth of clinical review — no travel needed. Medication is dispatched to you with insulated cold-chain packaging by Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions patients ask most.
If your question isn’t covered here, ask Mahyar at your consultation — or call us on 020 7435 7075 and we’ll do our best to help.
About our service
How is your service different from online weight-loss providers?
Three things, primarily:
- Continuity of clinician. The same Independent Prescriber — Mahyar — assesses you and makes every dose decision throughout your programme. Online providers typically rotate prescribers, so you may see a different name on each renewal.
- Real clinical assessment. Patients with complex histories — polypharmacy, hypothyroidism, PCOS, post-bariatric history — are properly assessed rather than excluded by an algorithm or a tick-box form.
- Real pharmacy infrastructure. Genuine UK-licensed medication held in stock, with same-day in-store collection or temperature-controlled postal delivery. A registered GPhC premises (1040582) you can walk into.
Is there a subscription or fixed contract?
No. There’s a £30 booking deposit (deducted from your treatment cost), and you pay only for the pens you use. There’s no monthly subscription, no automatic renewal, and no minimum commitment. We review with you regularly and you decide each time whether to continue.
What does it cost — and are there any hidden fees?
The £30 booking deposit is deducted from the cost of your treatment. Beyond that, you pay only for the medication itself (priced per pen — current rates are listed in the Programme & Pricing section above) and any postage if you choose home delivery.
There is no separate consultation charge, no escalation fee, no plateau review fee, and no subscription. Routine clinical support — including dose escalation, side-effect management, and GP/specialist liaison — is included in the cost of your medication while you remain on treatment.
Eligibility & specific conditions
Can I take these medicines if I have hypothyroidism or another thyroid history?
Stable hypothyroidism — including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — is not a contraindication for these medicines under UK regulations. Some online providers exclude patients with any thyroid history as a blanket precaution, but this isn’t required by the UK Summary of Product Characteristics for Mounjaro or Wegovy.
If your thyroid replacement (e.g. levothyroxine) is stable and your blood results are within target, we’ll assess your suitability normally during consultation. If you have a more complex thyroid history, including a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, we’ll discuss the specifics with you before any prescribing decision.
Can I take these medicines while breastfeeding?
This requires individual clinical assessment, but it is not a contraindication.
The current UK Summary of Product Characteristics for Mounjaro (updated April 2026) reports that tirzepatide concentration in breastmilk is undetectable to very low, and that any small amount present is expected to be degraded in the infant’s digestive system rather than absorbed. The SmPC’s own conclusion is that tirzepatide could be considered for use during breast-feeding.
Many older online sources still describe breastfeeding as a contraindication based on previous guidance — this is no longer the official UK position. Whether it’s right for you depends on your individual circumstances, which we’ll discuss at consultation.
What if I’m planning a pregnancy?
These medicines should be discontinued before conception. The Mounjaro SmPC recommends stopping at least one month before a planned pregnancy due to the medicine’s long half-life; the Wegovy guidance differs slightly (typically two months).
At your consultation we’ll discuss the right washout timing for your specific medicine and circumstances, and where helpful we can liaise with your GP or fertility specialist.
What about contraception while taking these medicines?
This is one of the most important questions to ask, and it’s often missed elsewhere.
Tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) can reduce the absorption of oral contraceptives, particularly during the first four weeks after starting and for four weeks after each dose escalation. The MHRA and the Mounjaro SmPC both recommend that women using oral contraceptives also use a barrier method (such as condoms) during these windows, or switch to a non-oral method (implant, coil, injection).
We’ll discuss this with you at your initial consultation and at every dose increase. If you use semaglutide (Wegovy), we’ll discuss the specifics for that medicine separately, as the interaction profile is different.
Can I take these medicines alongside my current prescriptions?
In most cases, yes — but it depends on the specific combination.
These medicines slow gastric emptying, which can change how some oral medicines are absorbed (particularly time-sensitive ones such as warfarin or levothyroxine). They also significantly raise the risk of low blood sugar if combined with insulin or sulphonylureas — which is why we don’t accept patients currently using insulin (see the eligibility section above).
At your initial consultation, please bring a complete list of your current prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. Mahyar’s NHS background as a Lead Formulary Pharmacist means he assesses these combinations as a routine part of every consultation.
Side effects, eating & safety
What side effects should I expect, and how do you manage them?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, and reflux. They’re usually mild to moderate, peak during the dose-escalation phase, and decrease over time as your body adjusts.
How we manage them:
- Slower dose escalation. If you’re struggling, we extend your time at the current dose rather than push you up a step.
- Anti-nausea and reflux support. As an Independent Prescriber, Mahyar can prescribe supportive treatment alongside your weight-management medicine in the same consultation — without sending you elsewhere.
- Constipation strategies. Hydration, fibre, and where appropriate, prescribed treatment.
- Pause and resume. For severe or persistent side effects, a brief pause is sometimes the right answer.
Less common but important to know about: pancreatitis (severe, persistent upper-abdominal pain — seek immediate medical attention) and gallbladder issues (right-upper-abdominal pain, fever). Both are uncommon but require prompt assessment if suspected. Every patient is briefed on these warning signs at consultation.
We report any serious adverse effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme as standard pharmacovigilance.
How do I get help if I have a question between appointments?
We provide a dedicated WhatsApp number for between-visit questions, with same-day or next-day replies during clinic hours. The number is shared with you at your initial consultation.
It’s the fastest way to ask about side effects, dosing, scheduling, or anything else that doesn’t need a full consultation — direct access to the team, not a chatbot or ticketing system.
For urgent medical concerns or emergencies — such as severe abdominal pain (a possible sign of pancreatitis), signs of severe dehydration, or any other symptom needing immediate attention — please call 999 or NHS 111 directly. WhatsApp is for non-urgent questions only.
What should I eat — and avoid — while on treatment?
These medicines work primarily by reducing your appetite, so the main change is that you’ll naturally want to eat less. The goal isn’t a special diet — it’s eating well within a smaller appetite.
Prioritise:
- Protein at every meal. Essential for preserving muscle during weight loss — a common GLP-1 issue we discuss at every review.
- Vegetables, fruit, and whole grains for fibre and micronutrients.
- Hydration. These medicines slow digestion and can reduce thirst cues, so dehydration is common. Drink water throughout the day.
Reduce or avoid:
- Large, high-fat meals — they worsen nausea and reflux because they sit in the stomach longer.
- Very high-sugar foods — they can trigger ‘dumping-like’ symptoms (nausea, sweating, sudden fullness, light-headedness).
- Alcohol — worsens nausea, adds calories your appetite has no room for, and dehydrates.
- Carbonated drinks for many patients — they can amplify reflux and bloating.
Practical tips:
- Eat smaller portions, more slowly, and stop when you feel full — not when the plate is empty.
- Many patients find they prefer 4–5 small meals or snacks rather than 3 large meals.
- If you struggle with nausea, plain dry foods (toast, crackers, rice) tend to be easiest when symptoms peak; avoid fatty, fried, or spicy foods at those times.
Within your programme, Danae can also advise on the type of exercise needed to preserve muscle during weight loss, including for patients with injuries or physical limitations. More tailored dietary guidance can be discussed at consultation.
Do I need blood tests before starting?
Routine blood tests aren’t always mandatory, but they may be recommended based on your medical history, current medicines, and risk factors. We’ll discuss this at your consultation.
We also offer a GLP-1 Weight Loss Monitoring Profile blood test that can be done before starting treatment, or periodically (for example, annually) while on these medicines. The panel covers the parameters most relevant to GLP-1 monitoring — useful for both safety and progress tracking.
Outcomes & long-term plans
What if the medication doesn’t work for me?
We define non-response as approximately less than 5% body-weight loss since starting the medicine. If we reach that threshold and you’ve completed an adequate trial period, we’ll review with you and consider switching to the alternative GLP-1 medicine.
Importantly, you don’t necessarily restart at the lowest dose if you’ve tolerated the first medicine well — we use the side-effect profile of your previous treatment to inform the starting dose of the new one. Some people respond well to one medicine after a poor response to the other; this is well-documented in clinical practice.
Can I stop the medication? Will I regain the weight?
Yes, you can stop at any time — there’s no fixed contract or lock-in. But it’s important to be honest about what happens when you stop.
Clinical trials and follow-up data show that for most people, stopping these medicines is followed by some weight regain over the months that follow. The amount varies and depends on continuing dietary and exercise habits, individual metabolism, and how long you were on treatment. This isn’t a personal failure: these medicines work by acting on appetite-regulating hormones, so when they stop, those effects revert.
Many patients use these medicines as a long-term tool, sometimes at lower ‘maintenance’ doses, rather than a short-term intervention. Others taper off carefully with continued behavioural support. We’ll discuss your goals at the start so you have a clear picture of options before you commit.
Switching, supply & integration
I’m switching from another provider — do I have to restart at the lowest dose?
In most cases, no. If you’re already established on a stable dose from another provider and tolerating it well, we will not automatically restart you at the starting dose.
Mahyar will review your full prescribing history, current dose, side-effect record, and response to treatment, and will continue from a clinically appropriate dose — either your current dose or, where indicated for safety, one step down.
If you’re switching, please mention this on your intake questionnaire and upload evidence of your most recent supply from your current provider (for example, a prescription label or dispensing receipt). This protects you clinically — we need to confirm what dose you’ve actually been receiving before continuing it.
This is one of the most common reasons patients transfer to us. Some online providers automatically restart switching patients at the lowest dose for protocol reasons, which can be frustrating and is often clinically unnecessary.
Will you communicate with my GP and any specialists I see?
Yes, and we strongly recommend it. As standard, we send a brief letter to your GP after your initial consultation and at notable points in your treatment (dose changes, significant side-effect events, treatment completion).
If you’re under the care of a specialist — for example an endocrinologist, gynaecologist, gastroenterologist, or bariatric surgeon — we will also liaise with and notify them as appropriate.
GP notification helps prevent gaps in your medical record, particularly around drug interactions and conditions that may not be visible to other providers. It is a meaningful safety measure that many online providers don’t offer.
You can opt out, but we strongly discourage this. Joined-up care is safer care, particularly if you have multiple conditions or take other medicines.
Authenticity & supply
Is your medication genuine and UK-licensed? How is it kept cold during postal delivery?
All medication we supply is genuine, UK-licensed Mounjaro (Eli Lilly) or Wegovy (Novo Nordisk), sourced through authorised UK wholesale supply chains. We do not supply compounded GLP-1 medicines or unlicensed semaglutide products that some online sellers offer.
For patients who collect in person at our pharmacy in Hampstead, the pens go straight from our refrigerated storage into your hands — no transit, no risk of temperature deviation.
For patients who choose postal delivery, medication is shipped in insulated packaging with ice packs by Royal Mail Special Delivery. The pens are licensed to tolerate brief excursions outside refrigerated storage during transit, and our packaging is designed to maintain cold-chain integrity throughout delivery.
Book your consultation
Ready to start? Book your initial consultation.
In person at our Hampstead clinic, or by secure video. The same Independent Prescriber at every visit.
The initial consultation is a real clinical conversation, not a tick-box form. Mahyar will review your medical history, current medicines, and goals, discuss eligibility, and decide together with you whether starting treatment makes sense. If it doesn’t, we’ll say so.
- Same Independent Prescriber every visit — Mahyar Saremi.
- In-person at NW3, or by secure video — your choice.
- GP and specialist liaison included — with your consent.
- GPhC Registered Premises 1040582 — a regulated UK pharmacy.
Before you book
- Online bookings only. We don’t take bookings by phone or accept walk-ins for weight-management consultations.
- Choose ‘FIRST Appointment’ for your initial visit with us — even if you’ve been on treatment elsewhere. Choose ‘FOLLOW UP’ only for review appointments after you’ve been seen by Mahyar before.
- An intake questionnaire is emailed to you immediately after booking, and should be completed before your first appointment. If you’re switching providers, you’ll be asked to upload evidence of your most recent supply (e.g. a prescription label or dispensing receipt).
- For first virtual consultations, you’ll need photo ID (uploaded via the questionnaire) and a scale for weight verification — both GPhC requirements for remote prescribing. The secure video link is sent in your booking confirmation, via Semble’s UK-approved platform.
- GP notification is strongly recommended. It helps prevent gaps in your medical record and protects you clinically. You can opt out, but we strongly discourage it.
Mahyar Saremi
Superintendent Pharmacist & Specialist Independent Prescriber