ORLISTAT
Orlistat (Xenical®) is a licensed medication for weight management in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC). This may be offered to some service users following the completion of the 12 week Lifestyle phase of our programme.
Orlistat reduces the production of the enzymes used to break down dietary fat. It works locally in the stomach and intestine to prevent absorption of approximately 30% of the fat from the food we eat.
Orlistat must be combined with a low fat Structured Meal Plan (SMP). Patients are advised to follow a diet containing 40-50 grams of fat distributed evenly over the day.
GP’s are responsible for prescribing the medication. In NHSGGC, our local formulary advises that GP’s should prescribe Orlistat on the advice of SWMS. This ensures regular monitoring within the prescribing guidelines and appropriate dietary support is provided.
LIRAGLUTIDE (Saxenda®)
Liraglutide (Saxenda®) has been approved for use in NHS Scotland to assist diet and exercise weight loss methods.
There are a number of restrictions on the use of this medication. These restrictions state the need for specialist weight management service involvement when deciding if, or when, this medication should be prescribed, monitored or discontinued.
Due to a worldwide shortage of Liraglutide (Saxenda®) the Glasgow and Clyde Specialist Weight Management Service patient pathway for Liraglutide (Saxenda®) has been temporarily suspended.
The Glasgow and Clyde Specialist Weight Management Service will update on availability of Liraglutide (Saxenda®) when the worldwide shortage has been resolved and the suspension has been lifted.
If you have any questions about this medication pathway, please view this NHS publication on weight management medications and Scottish Government consensus statement for the treatment of obesity.
SEMAGLUTIDE (Wegovy®) and TIRZEPATIDE (Mounjaro®)
Semaglutide (Wegovy®) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) have been approved for use in NHS Scotland to assist diet and exercise weight loss methods.
The Scottish Government in partnership with NHS health boards across Scotland have recently developed guidance on priority groups for Semaglutide (Wegovy®) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®). It was agreed that patients could be treated in any health care setting where evidence based appropriate lifestyle advice can be delivered. Each health board needs to develop and agree clinically safe and effective patient pathways with clear guidance on initiation, monitoring and discontinuation of Semaglutide (Wegovy®) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®). Clinical governance requires that the patient pathways and prescribing guidance is developed and agreed with all associated clinical groups prior to a medication being added to the prescribing formulary for each board. NHSGGC is currently developing proposals for implementation.
If you have any questions about this medication pathway, please view this NHS publication on weight management medications and Scottish Government consensus statement for the treatment of obesity.
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