Wannabe dieters were today urged not to rely on weight loss as a 'quick fix' in the new year.
'miracle' weight loss pills such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been proven to help people lose up to 2 weight.
But experts say anyone relying on it to combat 'Christmas gluttony' will be 'disappointed'.
Dr. Simon Cork, senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University, said: 'These drugs are not a quick fix to losing weight.'
Instead he spoke The guard they “need people to adhere to strict diet and exercise regimens.”
Wegovy and Ozempic work by causing the body to produce a hormone called GLP-1, which is released naturally from the intestines after meals.
Despite being hailed as one of the most powerful pharmaceutical tools to date, studies have also shown that Wegovy users can quickly regain pounds once they stop taking the fat-fighting drug, and that it can cause a variety of nasty side effects . Users often complain of nausea, constipation and diarrhea after taking the medication
The pens, taken once a day, trick the brain into thinking it is full, curbing appetite.
Effects can be visible within a few weeks.
Patients on them claim that they are disgusted by their favorite foods, including coffee, chocolate and fried chicken.
But studies show that users of semaglutide – the powerful ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy – can regain the weight once they stop taking it.
Obesity experts have previously argued that they may need to be used as lifelong medications.
Dr. Cork added that taking such drugs 'will not prevent weight gain in those who eat too much over the Christmas period'.
Semaglutide, as well as the rival drugs liraglutide and tirzepatide, are being hailed as monumental breakthroughs in the war on obesity.
But a spike in demand for these jabs, fueled by celebrity endorsements, has also led to global stocks run out.
Shortages are expected to last until mid-2024 at the earliest.
Consultant endocrinologist Dr Harshal Deshmukh from the University of Hull told The Guardian: 'Using appetite suppressants to counteract the effects of overindulging in the festive season through a binge-and-diet approach is unwise.'
'Physicians prescribe these medications based on specific indications, after a thorough evaluation that takes into account contraindications.
'Additionally, they require gradual titration over time for optimal effectiveness, making their indiscriminate use during the holidays not recommended.
“Obtaining these medications through online pharmacies without a comprehensive evaluation is strongly discouraged.”
A British study found that people taking Wegovy experienced rapid weight loss, losing 18 percent of their weight in 68 weeks. They regained two-thirds of that weight, or 12 percent of their original body weight, in the year after they stopped the weekly injections. Experts say the drug must be used for a lifetime to keep the pounds off
Ozempic is available on the NHS as a treatment for controlling blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In May it was also approved for weight loss under the Wegovy brand and launched on the NHS in September for weight loss for overweight or obese patients with weight-related health problems
Last month, British officials revealed they had seized more than 300 possibly counterfeit Ozempic pens. Counterfeit versions of Saxenda, the branded version of liraglutide, obtained through 'illegitimate routes' had also been reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Up to five Britons have also been hospitalized with life-threatening side effects as a result of taking fake versions bought online
Ozempic is currently only available on the NHS as a treatment for controlling blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Because of its dramatic weight-loss effects, doctors and pharmacists have distributed it 'off-label' to people who want to lose weight.
However, health chiefs urged against this due to supply issues and warned it would put the lives of diabetics at risk.
Wegovy was approved earlier this year specifically for weight loss.
A one-month supply is available privately from Boots and Superdrug for around £200. The eligibility criteria for people wanting to get the drug on the NHS is strict.
Although incredibly effective, the drugs are not without side effects.
Users often complain of nausea, constipation and diarrhea after taking the medication.
Last month, British officials revealed they had seized more than 300 possibly counterfeit Ozempic pens.
Counterfeit versions of Saxenda, the brand-name version of liraglutide, obtained through 'illegitimate routes' had also been reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Up to five Britons have also been hospitalized with life-threatening side effects as a result of taking fake versions bought online.