There’s a significant gap in day-to-day support for weight loss jab users in between clinical appointments – but a new app may give the help they need
Two thirds of Brits on a popular weight loss medication rely on social media for advice as they feel ‘left to their own devices’, a shocking study has found.
New research from a leading UK online pharmacy Phlo claims there’s a significant gap in day-to-day support for GLP-1 users in between clinical appointments.
GLP-1s, such as Mounjaro, are medications that mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone that regulates blood sugar and curbs appetite and are used to treat diabetes and aid weight loss. Phlo’s survey found almost three-quarters (73%) of people taking GLP-1s in the UK find it difficult to manage their treatment and fully understand their progress in between appointments.
It says that during that time 65% turned to social media for reassurance and guidance, while 90% users say they trust all GLP-1 information they find on social media. Almost a third (31%) of the 1,000-people-wide study are said to be seeking answers on online forums (31%), 29% on YouTube, and a fifth (20%) on TikTok.
This is despite clinicians’ warning that social media can be a poor substitute for medical advice on GLP-1s, with studies finding that information online can be incomplete or misleading particularly around side effects and safe use. Phlo says their new research has exposed a significant gap in day-to-day support for GLP-1 users in between clinical appointments, with many struggling to track their medication and missing doses.
More than a third rely on calendar reminders (37%) or phone alarms (36%), and a quarter (24%) use notepads or diaries to track their doses. These informal tracking methods have proven unreliable for many users, with more than half (57%) saying they’ve missed or delayed a dose.
Nearly a quarter (15%) even admit to only taking a dose when they feel that the effects are wearing off, rather than following the clinically recommended weekly schedule. Four in ten (40%) admit they have switched off phone alarms and forgotten, while the same proportion (40%) say they have misplaced or failed to update their notes.
Many also rely on partners, friends or family for reminders (41%) – despite clinical guidance recommending medication is usually taken at the same time each week. Phlo have now launched BrightTrack to bring structure to the GLP-1 journey and to help address this gap between clinical appointments.
It’s a free digital companion to support patients through their weight loss journey by tracking their doses, monitoring symptoms, understanding their progress, and providing clinicians’ advice.
Because GLP-1 dosing frequently changes due to balancing treatment progress and tolerability, tracking can be crucial to create an accurate record for clinical review. Phlo says its app puts practical support inside users’ pockets to bring key health data into one place so they can spot patterns and say it’s been developed with input from GLP-1 clinicians and obesity-specialist dietitians.
It aims to bring key health data into one place so users can spot patterns, build consistent routines and feel more confident managing their treatment. They say long-term success of GLP-1 medications depends on understanding behaviours and building sustainable habits at the same time as using medication.
NHS GP and private health consultant Dr Sara Kayat said: “It’s common for people on their GLP-1 journey to feel unsupported between appointments.
“Naturally, questions can come up day-to-day but not all providers offer an easy way to address them in the moment. Many people end up managing symptoms and progress on their own, turning to social media for reassurance or to sense-check symptoms or dosing.
“From a medical perspective, consistency plays an important role. Missed or delayed doses can inhibit the medication’s effectiveness, making it harder for people to build routines, monitor changes in appetite or symptoms and feel confident in their progress.
“BrightTrack gives all GLP-1 users a practical way to record their treatment and symptoms, helping them stay consistent, build confidence in their routine, and have more informed, meaningful conversations at their follow-up appointments.” Pharmacist and Chief Operating Officer at Phlo, Alistair Murray, said: “Patient support is at the heart of Phlo’s mission and our team of clinicians understands that GLP-1s are more than a prescription.
“They’re a key that unlocks a wide range of lifestyle changes for our patients. For many users that change is being managed with a patchwork of reminders, notes and inaccurate advice on social media.
“That’s why we’re proud to launch BrightTrack, a mobile companion app available to all GLP-1 users, no matter where they get their medication. Our ambition with this app is to raise the standard of day-to-day support as more people use GLP-1s as a part of their weight loss journey.
“With BrightTrack, we hope to give everyone the tools they need to stay consistent, understand their own progress, and feel supported on their journey.”
BrightTrack is free and available to all GLP-1 users via The App Store and Google Play. You can find more info through the app’s website https://brighttrack.app/ or via https://wearephlo.com/