MORE than a million people using weight-loss drugs have been warned they’re at risk of losing thousands.
Brits using the fat jabs, such as Mounjaro and Ozempic, could find themselves out of pocket over a simple paperwork error.
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Those who use the injections may invalidate their travel and health insurance if the medication isn’t declared.
It comes over a debate was sparked whether using them should be classified as a medical condition, or listed as cosmetics treatments.
As reported by the Times, around 26 per cent of 1,000 UK adults polled by the market researcher Consumer Intelligence revealed they didn’t know how they would categorise their use of the weight-loss jabs.
Meanwhile 24 per cent confirmed they would consider them medical treatments.
But 11 per cent believed they were akin to lifestyle choices such as botox.
The problem arises for insurers when a customer has not listed all of their medical conditions.
Even if they were to make a claim that was not related to the jabs – their cover may be invalidated if they haven’t declared them.
Ian Hughes, chief executive of Consumer Intelligence, said: “This confusion isn’t academic — it has real consequences for millions purchasing travel and health insurance.
“When a quarter of the population doesn’t know whether their medication counts as a pre-existing condition, we’re seeing a perfect storm for claim disputes and coverage gaps.”
The research comes as nearly five million single-trip travel insurance policies were bought in 2022.
However, according to the latest figures from the Financial Conduct Authority, the City regulator, around 27 per cent of claims were refused.
Meanwhile, the Financial Ombudsman Service received just over 8,000 complaints over claims being denied from 2023 to 2024.
The boom in jabs such as Mounjaro has actually seen some insurance companies add specific information about the medication – and warnings to declare it.
However, this may lead to costs as high as £5 a day extra for policies.
This is because customers will likely have to state which health condition has resulted in their prescription.
The Association of British Insurers said: “You should disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, as well as any prescribed medication or treatment.
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients’ sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients’ mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
“The industry continues to stress the importance of disclosing pre-existing medical conditions and if you’re unsure of what to declare, you should contact your insurer directly to check.”
This comes as Brits have also been warned about a surge in black market demand for a powerful new drug dubbed the “Godzilla” of fat jabs.
Retatrutide, a once-weekly injection made by US manufacturer Eli Lily, is still in clinical trials, with phase three results not expected until 2026.
It is still in its experimental stage, which means no one can legally buy the medicine.
Yet, this hasn’t stopped desperate dieters searching for it online and buying what experts warn are dangerous black market knock-offs.
On Reddit, users are claiming they have got hold of so-called “Reta” and offering it in private messages, with some boasting they have already shed more than three stone.
The scramble follows Lilly hiking UK prices for its rival weight loss shot Mounjaro by up to 170 per cent, potentially pricing some loyal customers out.
Early studies suggest Retatrutide could help people shed a quarter of their body weight in under a year – nearly double what people see on Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide).
Unlike standard slimming jabs, the experimental drug targets three different hormones linked to hunger and weight, earning it the nickname “triple G”.
By doing this, it not only slashes appetite but also speeds up metabolism, which has led to it being branded the “Godzilla” jab.
Wegovy just targets one hormone (GLP-1), while Mounjaro, dubbed the ‘King Kong’ of fat jabs, targets two (GLP-1 and GIP). Retatrutide also includes glucagon.
But doctors warn anyone buying it online is playing Russian roulette with their health, as the products are often counterfeit.
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