Being Overweight — Don’t let it be a burden
Being overweight is a very common problem. More than 60% of adults in Ireland are either overweight or obese. Excess weight is linked to several serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Our Weight Loss Treatment Service can help you to lose your extra weight, which sometimes includes taking medication if your doctor thinks it’s suitable and of benefit for you in achieving your weight loss goals. When you come into store we’ll provide a convenient and discreet Weight Check Consultation and if your doctor considers medication is best to help your weight loss, we’ll give you advice on how to best use or take your weight loss medicine, where prescribed.
Who is the service suitable for?
If you have a Body Mass Index or BMI of 30kg/m2 or greater or if you have certain weight related health problems e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems with a lower BMI from 27kg/m2 a weight loss treatment service might be suitable for you.
You can find out more about weight loss and treatment options on the HSE Medicines and Surgery for Obesity page here
How do I calculate my BMI or know if I have a healthy weight?
What is my BMI?
If you are unsure if you've a healthy weight for your height or if you have a BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher, you can calculate your BMI by clicking the link here or booking an appointment for a Health MOTv, where we’ll take the measurements and complete the calculation for you. To do the calculation yourself, you will need to know your height, weight and waist measurement.
What else should I do to help with weight loss?
Weight loss is tricky, so following a programme can help you overcome obstacles that may appear. It’s not just about food, there are many other factors that can affect your weight loss journey, from psychology to snacking and metabolism to motivation.
If you have a BMI of 25 to 30 Kg/m2 you may find enrolling in a weight loss programme that focuses on lifestyle and dietary changes a support in navigating your journey, and to help give you a good start, such as the 12 week programme provided by SafeFood.
If you have a BMI of 30Kg/m2 or over we recommend you have a conversation with your doctor who will let you know what weight loss programme is suitable for you and may also recommend some weight loss treatment and Weight Check Consultation.
What happens during my Weight Check Consultation?
In the pharmacy’s private consultation room a trained member of Boots healthcare team will measure your BMI, Waist circumference and take your Blood Pressurev. We’ll give you a record of these measurements to take away with you. The consultation will take about 10 minutes.
What weight loss medicine treatment options are available through the service?**
If your weight is affecting your health your GP or doctor can help by providing advice and tools on how to manage your weight. In some situations, this might include prescribing medication. Some of these medicines work on the way the brain tells the body to eat and another prevents the bowel from absorbing fat.
One medicine treatment option, is similar to a naturally occurring hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and works by controlling your appetite, making you feel fuller. It can be prescribed by doctors for persons aged 18 to 74 years, who have a BMI of 30kg/m2 or greater or if you have certain weight related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal levels of fats in the blood or breathing problems during sleep called ‘obstructive sleep apnoea’ your doctor might prescribe this medication with a lower BMI from 27kg/m2. This medication is given for 12 weeks to start with, and the dose injected increases gradually over the first few weeks.
Another medicine treatment option works in the digestive system blocking about a third of the fat in food eaten from being digested. This undigested fat cannot be absorbed in the body and is indicated in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet if you have a body mass index (BMI) greater or equal to 30 kg/m², or with weight related health problems and a BMI more than 28 kg/m².
At 12 weeks after starting, in order to continue with medication, you need to have lost 5% of your initial body weight as measured at the start of treatment.
How much does the weight loss treatment medication cost?
Medication treatment cost will depend on medication prescribed and if you are starting the treatment, some examples are provided in the dropdown list below.
- Liraglutide injection bundle≥ = €265
- Orlistat capsules bundle± = €65
- Needles for injection pens = €18.87
- Sharps bin & disposal (Max 1L Size)¥ = €19.59
- Weight Check Consultation = €10
Notice for doctors
If you provide online weight management consultations and want a link out to your medical practice from this page, send your request in writing, including a link to your online platform, to Boots Ireland at the following email address: Pharmacy.office.ireland@boots.ie . A member of the Boots Ireland team will respond within three working days with further details.
