One in eight patients take GLP-1 ‘medication vacations’

One in eight (12%) patients admit to breaking GLP-1 prescription guidelines so they can indulge in ‘feasting breaks’, a study by LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor has found.

A survey of 2,000 people, of whom 996 were current or recent users of weight loss medications, revealed the trend of breaking from clinical guidance on correct dosing.

Experts warned that this can undermine the effectiveness of the medication and lead to problems.

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Professor Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), said: ‘Taking a “medication holiday” may seem harmless, but stopping treatment can cause symptoms to return, make a previously well‑controlled condition worsen, or lead to side effects reappearing when treatment restarts.

‘For some medicines, pausing treatment also means the dose may need to be adjusted as if starting treatment again.’

Prof Anderson added that anyone who is considering a pause in their medication – including during Ramadan, or other religious or cultural observances – should speak to their pharmacist or prescriber first.

‘They can provide individual advice on safe timing of doses, hydration and managing side effects,’ she said.

Chief medical officer at LloydsOnline Doctor, Dr Kieran Seyan, added: ‘These medicines are evidence-based treatments that can be highly effective for eligible patients when used as part of a weight-loss programme. However, their safety and effectiveness depend on being taken consistently and as prescribed by a registered healthcare professional.’

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Those currently on weight loss medication or looking to start treatment can discuss their options with a pharmacist registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Last October, The Pharmacist spoke to CEO of The Medication Support Company, Norman Niven, about how medication is one of healthcare’s ‘most persistent, intractable and costly challenges.’

He described it as a ‘silent killer’ and felt that the NHS should be doing more to address this problem.

Meanwhile, many patients across England cannot access NHS-funded weight loss medications due to unequal access.

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According to Healthwatch, inconsistent rollout of tirzepatide in primary care by local health bodies means many patients are being left behind.

And some patients are going to extraordinary lengths to fake their eligibility for weight loss jabs, leaving pharmacists to separate fact from fiction while ensuring safe, compliant prescribing.