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Medicine Information Alert
Libre 2 sensor will be phased out at the end of August 2025, so our medicine team is starting updating your repeat, and make sure you get to most updated and efficient sensor to monitor your sugar level.
Flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from seasonal influenza.
It reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and complications, especially in vulnerable groups.
In the UK, it is offered free on the NHS to children aged 2–16, adults over 65, pregnant women, carers, and people with certain long-term health conditions. Please contact the surgery if you think you are eligible and would like this vaccine.
Some common myths are incorrect: the flu vaccine does not give you flu, it does not weaken your immune system, and it is safe for pregnant women.
By getting vaccinated each year, you help protect both yourself and your community.
Libre Sensor 2
Libre 2 sensor will be phased out at the end of August 2025.
It's time to move patients to
The Libre 2 Plus sensor
We will be phasing out our Libre 2 sensors in the UK at the end of August 2025.
Libre Sensor 2
Our medicine team is starting updating your repeat, and make sure you get to most updated and efficient sensor to monitor your sugar level.
- Libre 2 Plus sensors will be replacing Libre 2 sensors.
- This does not affect Libre 3 sensors.
An extra day
15-day wear time and is indicated for children from the age of two years and above and adults living with diabetes.
A simple switch
Conveniently works with the current Libre 2 reader and LibreLink app,° so it's a smooth transition.
HCL partnership
Connects with Insulet's Omnipod 5 AID system* for those who are eligible for a hybrid closed loop system.
NovoRapid FlexPen
From March 2025, NovoRapid FlexTouch is being discontinued and being replaced with NovoRapid FlexPen.
The insulin within each pen is the same. The only difference is how the insulin is administered.
Please feel free to use this educational website on how to correctly use the NovoRapid FlexPen.
If you have any problems with control or the device, please contact the surgery and book an appointment with out diabetic team.
SGLT-2 Inhibitors
SGLT-2 Inhibitors, also knowns as glifozins, are a class of medications that can be used to manage blood sugar levels and support people with Heart Failure.
The most common SGLT-2 inhibitors medications are Jardiance (empagliflozin), Forxiga (dapagliflozin), and Invokana (canagliflozin), Inpefa ( sotagliflozin)
These medications can cause increased urination, dehydration, and a higher risk of urinary tract and genital infections.
For this reason, once these medications are confirmed as long-term treatment and added to repeat, we contact our patients and send them important medicine leaflets.
Weight Loss Injections
Weight loss injections such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro work by mimicking natural hormones found within the body.
Weight loss injections such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro work by mimicking natural hormones found within the body.
These hormones are responsible for ;
- regulating blood sugar levels
- Slowing down digestion
- Suppressing your appetite.
Whilst they are growing more and more popular each day, It is important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any injection-based weigh loss medication, to ensure it is suitable for you and to consider the potential risks and benefits carefully
Weight loss injections are only available on the NHS under strict conditions and require regular monitoring.
- Not prescribed by GPs for weight loss
- Only available through a Tier 3 NHS weight management service
- You must meet national criteria:
- BMI over 35 (or 32.5 for some ethnic groups)
- Suffering from at least 4 weight-related health condition (e.g., high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, diabetes)
- Completion of a Tier 2 programme without significant results
- GPs may prescribe these medications for type 2 diabetes in specific cases only.
Things to consider
Before starting weigh loss injections, have you considered a Teir 2 weight management programme ?
West Sussex Wellbeing provides a service offering ;
- Expert advice on nutrition and physical activity
- Support for sustainable lifestyle changes
- A safe, gradual approach to weight loss
Medicines & Interactions - What you need to know
Some medicines and foods can interfere with each other or with certain health conditions. This can change how your medicine works or increase side effects. Always check with your pharmacist, GP or nurse before starting anything new - even over-the-counter tablets.
Medicines that interact with other medicines
| Common medicine | Be careful if also taking... | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| ACE inhibitors (for high blood pressure or heart problems) | Water tablets that keep potassium-like | Can raise potassium too high, affecting the heart |
| Nitroglycerin (for chest pain) | Erection problem medicines | Can cause your blood pressure to drop-sudden |
| Metformin (for diabetes), MAOIs (a type of antidepressant) | X-ray or scan dve, Other anti depresents | Can damage-the kidneys, Can cause serious reactions like high temperature |
| St John's Wort (herbal mood remedy) | Anti depressants or some prescrition medicines | Can make other medicines weaker or too strong |
Medicines that interact with other medicines
| Medicine type | Food or drink to avoid | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Statins, heart tablets, some blood thinners | Grapefruit or grapefruit juice | Can raise medicine levels and cause effects |
| MAOIs (some antidepressants) | Food with tyramine (red wine, strong cheese, salami, chocolate) | Can cause dangerious rise in blood pressure |
| Warfarin (blood thinner | Large or changing amounts of green veg, chickpeas and liver | Can affect how well warfarin works |
Remember
- Always tell your GP, nurse or pharmacist about all medicines and supplements you take.
- Never start or stop medication without checking first
- Use one regular pharmacy if possible - they'll keep track of your prescriptions
- Ask if you're unsure - it's always better to check
Contraception & GLP-1 Agonist Information
GLP-1 agonists are prescription medicines used in type 2 diabetes or weight management.
What are GLP-1 agonists?
- These are prescription medicines used in type 2 diabetes or weight management.
Contraception considerations
- If you’re using Tirzepatide: use an additional barrier method (e.g., condoms) on top of the pill for 4 weeks after you start the medication, and again for 4 weeks after any dose increase.
- Non-oral contraceptive methods (coil–implant, injection, patch, ring) are not shown to be affected by GLP-1 agonists.
- If you’re planning pregnancy: GLP-1 agonists should not be used during pregnancy. Effective contraception is vital while on them, and you should stop them for the recommended wash-out period before trying for pregnancy. (E.g., Tirzepatide – 1 month, Semaglutide – 2 months)
What to do next?
- If you’re taking a GLP-1 agonist and using any form of contraception (especially oral), please discuss this with your clinician or practice nurse. We can review your method.