A Different Kind of Weight Loss Journey
Clinically governed. Compassionately delivered. Designed around you.
Your Programme Begins Here
This page is your clinical companion throughout your weight management programme at House of Ikigai. Everything you need, before you begin, and as you progress, is here. We believe an informed client is a protected one. Take your time. Read carefully. And reach out whenever you need us.
Not Every Clinic Will Tell You This
In recent years, the proliferation of online and high-street weight loss clinics has prompted formal concern from regulatory bodies across the UK. In Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) oversee clinical standards in aesthetic and wellness settings. Nationally, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued repeated warnings regarding unlicensed GLP-1 weight loss injections and inadequate prescribing practices, including clinics prescribing without face-to-face assessment.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the General Medical Council (GMC) have both flagged concerns about the quality of clinical governance in parts of the aesthetics and weight management industry. The consequences for clients, when things go wrong without proper oversight can be serious.
At House of Ikigai, every prescription is issued by a qualified prescribing practitioner following a full clinical consultation. You will never receive medication here without being known, assessed, and monitored. That is not a selling point. It is simply what responsible care looks like.
Your Treatment Options
Understanding Your Medication
Weekly Injection
Mounjaro
tirzepatide
A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, licensed in the UK for weight management. One of the most clinically studied and effective options currently available, working on two appetite-signalling pathways simultaneously.
Once Weekly · Subcutaneous
Weekly Injection
Wegovy
semaglutide
A GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed specifically for chronic weight management in adults. Clinically proven to support significant and sustained weight reduction through appetite and metabolic regulation.
Once Weekly · Subcutaneous
Daily Oral Tablet
Rybelsus
semaglutide oral
An oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, taken once daily. An excellent option for those who prefer not to self-inject — delivering the clinically proven semaglutide formulation without a needle.
Once Daily · Oral
Patient Resources
Your Reference Documents
Everything below mirrors the clinical guidance delivered to you by email available here to revisit at any time.
Before You Begin
Pre-Care
Read before your first dose. Understanding what to expect — and how to prepare — makes a significant difference to your early experience.
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he MHRA has issued repeated warnings about the prescribing of GLP-1 medications — including Mounjaro and Wegovy — without adequate clinical assessment or follow-up. The General Pharmaceutical Council and Healthcare Improvement Scotland have both raised formal concerns about standards in parts of the aesthetics and weight management industry.
We share this not to alarm you, but because we believe an informed client is a protected one. At House of Ikigai, every prescription follows a thorough clinical consultation and is supported by a structured monitoring programme. You are not simply purchasing a medication — you are entering a clinically governed programme.
Our Commitment
Mounjaro, Wegovy and Rybelsus are prescription-only medicines. They will never be dispensed here without a valid prescription issued following a clinical assessment. If you have been offered these medications elsewhere without proper consultation, please speak to us before proceeding.
Your Medication
Understanding What You Have Been Prescribed
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A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, licensed in the UK for weight management. Administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. Works on two appetite-signalling pathways simultaneously — one of the most effective options currently available.
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A GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed specifically for chronic weight management in adults. Administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. Clinically proven to support significant and sustained weight reduction.
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An oral GLP-1 receptor agonist taken once daily. An excellent option for those who prefer not to self-inject, while still benefiting from the clinically proven semaglutide formulation.
Preparation
Before Your First Dose
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Disclose all current medications, supplements, and health conditions — including thyroid disorders, pancreatitis, kidney conditions, or personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
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A genuine clinical conversation — the foundation of a programme designed specifically for you.
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A minimum of 2 litres of water daily, starting now. Hydration is your greatest ally throughout this programme.
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Alcohol significantly worsens nausea in the early weeks. Reducing before you begin will ease your transition considerably.
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Move toward smaller, more frequent meals. Reduce high-fat, high-sugar foods. Lean protein, vegetables, and whole foods are your best preparation.
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GLP-1 medications can affect the absorption of oral contraceptives due to delayed gastric emptying. Additional measures may be recommended for the first four weeks of each dose increase
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GLP-1 agonists significantly lower blood glucose. Combined with insulin or sulphonylureas, the risk of hypoglycaemia increases. Your prescriber will review and adjust accordingly.
Contraindications
When This Programme May Not Be Suitable
Your prescriber will have reviewed these. For reference, these medications are not appropriate for individuals who:
Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
Have been diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Have a history of pancreatitis
Are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
Have severe gastrointestinal disease
Have known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any excipients
Are under 18 years of age
Questions Before You Begin
Reach out on WhatsApp.
Caring for You After Each Dose
After-Care Guidance: Mounjaro · Wegovy · Rybelsus
What to Expect
The First Few Days
The days following your first dose are the most likely to feel unfamiliar. This is entirely expected. Your body is beginning to respond to a medication that fundamentally alters how your appetite signals work. Most clients find early symptoms ease significantly within two to three weeks with good hydration and nutrition.
You may notice some or all of the following — these are not signs that something has gone wrong:
Nausea — most common, particularly with Mounjaro and Wegovy
Reduced appetite or an earlier sense of fullness
Mild fatigue
Loose stools or constipation — both are possible in the first week
Mild injection site redness or tenderness (Mounjaro and Wegovy)
Mild stomach discomfort (Rybelsus), particularly if taken without water or too close to food
Nutrition
What to Eat, and How
EAT THESE
Lean proteins at every meal — eggs, fish, chicken, legumes, Greek yoghurt
Fibre-rich vegetables and whole foods
Small, frequent meals rather than large ones
Plain water — 2 to 2.5 litres daily
Ginger tea if nausea is present
Soft, low-fat options in the very early days if needed
AVOID THESE
High-fat, high-sugar meals — dramatically increase nausea risk
Alcohol — especially in the first 4 to 6 weeks
Carbonated drinks — increase bloating and discomfort
Overeating — stop when satisfied, not when the plate is empty
Lying down immediately after eating
Medication Handling
Guidance by Medication
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — Weekly Injection
Inject subcutaneously — abdomen, upper thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites weekly.
Store unused pens in the refrigerator (2–8°C). Do not freeze.
Once in use, the pen may be kept at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 21 days.
Inject on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food.
Do not inject into skin that is bruised, tender, or scarred.
Wegovy (semaglutide) — Weekly Injection
Inject subcutaneously — abdomen, upper thigh, or upper arm.
Store in refrigerator (2–8°C). Do not freeze. May be stored at room temperature below 30°C for up to 28 days after first use.
Administer on the same day each week, with or without food.
Follow your titration schedule precisely — dose increases are structured to minimise side effects.
Rybelsus (semaglutide oral) — Daily Tablet
Take on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning.
Swallow whole with no more than 120ml of plain water only — not coffee, juice, or other liquids.
Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything other than water, or taking other oral medications.
If you miss a dose, skip it — do not double up the following day.
Managing Side Effects
Common Experiences
Nausea
The most commonly reported experience, particularly in weeks one to four. The single most effective mitigation is hydration. Small sips of water, ginger tea, and avoiding lying down immediately after eating all help. If nausea is severe or persistent beyond three weeks, contact us — your dose timing or titration schedule may need review.
Constipation
Increase fibre intake (vegetables, oats, ground flaxseed), maintain hydration, and move your body daily. Speak to us if symptoms persist beyond two weeks.
Fatigue
Common in the early phase. Ensure your caloric intake remains adequate — undernourishing your body is counterproductive and will deepen fatigue.
Injection Site Reactions
Mild redness or tenderness is expected and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Rotating injection sites each week significantly reduces this.
Your Monitoring Schedule
You Are Never Left Without Support
Week 2— Initial check-in following your first dose
Week 4— Review of tolerance and early progress
Week 8— Dose titration review with your prescriber
Monthly thereafter— Ongoing monitoring and programme optimisation
When to Act
Knowing the Signs
Seek Urgent Medical Care Immediately
Stop your medication and attend A&E if you experience severe abdominal pain that radiates to your back. This may indicate pancreatitis, a rare but serious condition. Do not wait. Do not message us first. Go directly to A&E.
Also seek urgent care for: signs of severe allergic reaction, persistent vomiting with inability to keep fluids down, or signs of hypoglycaemia if on concurrent diabetes medications.
Contact Us Promptly
Reach out if you experience persistent nausea beyond three weeks, significant mood changes, rapid heart rate, constipation lasting more than two weeks, or any concern that feels outside of what was described in your pre-care guidance.