Patients taking popular “fat jabs” face heightened health complications as Britain braces for what could be its worst flu season in a decade, medical experts have cautioned.
With an unusually early onset of influenza propelled by a mutated strain, users of appetite-suppressing injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy are being urged to monitor their symptoms carefully and consult healthcare professionals if their condition deteriorates.
The warning comes as health officials predict a particularly severe winter for viral infections, with the timing creating additional challenges for those undergoing weight-loss treatments.
According to Jason Murphy, a pharmacy and weight loss expert affiliated with Chemist4U, the combination of flu and medication-induced side effects poses significant risks to immune function. “Imagine trying to fight off an infection while also struggling without the nutrients that boost your immune response,” he stated.
Influenza typically presents with sudden cough, sore throat, and fever. However, these treatments carry side effects that can mimic flu symptoms, making it difficult for patients to differentiate between medication reactions and genuine illness.
The core concern centres on inadequate nutrition. Reduced food intake strips the body of essential vitamins and minerals required for immune support, whilst dehydration from flu-induced vomiting and nausea further hinders the body’s ability to battle infection. These complications intensify when illness prevents consumption of solid food or fluids alongside medication.
Dr Zoe Lees, a medical expert on handling medication during illness, offered practical guidance for patients. “You can usually continue with your medication unless you experience severe side effects. But listen to your body. Your health should always come first,” she advised.
Medical professionals recommend temporarily pausing weight-loss injections if severe nausea or dehydration develops. Patients are urged to boost fluid intake immediately upon illness onset and evaluate whether medication dosage remains suitable when food consumption falls short.
Regular check-ins with healthcare providers for flu-like symptoms remain essential, with experts emphasising that no treatment regimen should be altered without professional consultation.
