Conditions and medications, explained in plain English.
Patient education from Farmeci's GPhC-registered pharmacists and independent prescribers. Articles explain how treatments work, who they're suitable for, and what to ask your clinician. They are not a prescription recommendation.
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Each article is written and clinically reviewed by a named UK-registered pharmacist or prescriber. Browse by topic below — or pick a category above.
How to take the Wegovy pill — fasting and timing
How to take the Wegovy pill in the UK — the empty-stomach rule, small-sip water limit, 30-minute food gap, missed dose guidance, storage and travel tips.
Wegovy pill side effects — what to expect
Wegovy pill side effects explained for UK patients — common GI symptoms, the first-two-week peak, when to seek review, and how the oral profile compares.
How much does the Wegovy pill cost in the UK?
How much does the Wegovy pill cost in the UK? Honest ranges for private prescription, consultation, monitoring and a 12-month total, with NHS context.
High cholesterol — when statins are recommended
A UK patient guide to high cholesterol and statins — LDL, HDL and QRISK3, when statins are offered for primary vs secondary prevention, and how they are monitored.
STI testing in the UK — what to expect
A UK guide to STI testing — where to go, which infections are screened for, window periods, sample types, confidentiality, and what happens if a result is positive.
Finasteride vs minoxidil vs dutasteride: what to use for hair loss
A UK comparison of finasteride, minoxidil and dutasteride for male-pattern hair loss — how each works, licensing status, response timelines and side-effect profiles.
HRT patches vs gel vs tablets: delivery routes compared
A UK guide to HRT delivery routes — how oral tablets, transdermal patches, gel and spray differ in clot risk, absorption, dose flexibility and progestogen options.
Sildenafil vs tadalafil vs vardenafil: which PDE5 inhibitor to choose
Sildenafil vs tadalafil vs vardenafil compared for UK patients — onset, duration, food and alcohol effects, side effects and how a clinician chooses.
Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Mounjaro: which weight-loss injection to choose
Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Mounjaro compared for UK patients — licensing, STEP and SURMOUNT trial signals, dosing, side effects and how a clinician chooses.
Insomnia — when to seek clinical help
A UK framework for insomnia — CBT-I as first-line, sleep hygiene, when prescription options are considered, red flags for referral, and chronic vs acute.
Acid reflux — when lifestyle isn't enough
Acid reflux and GORD in UK practice — why lifestyle is first-line, when PPIs and H2 blockers are considered, and the red flags that need urgent review.
Hair loss in women: causes and treatment options
A UK guide to hair loss in women — female-pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, thyroid and iron causes, postpartum and PCOS-related shedding, and treatment options.
Acne treatment: from topical retinoids to oral antibiotics
A plain-English UK guide to the acne treatment ladder — from topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide to oral antibiotics and specialist-led options like isotretinoin.
Understanding menopause and treatment pathways
Perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause explained — symptoms, diagnosis, and the UK treatment pathway including HRT and non-hormonal options.
HRT explained — what it is and who it's for
A plain-English UK guide to HRT — what oestrogen and progestogen do, oral vs transdermal routes, continuous vs sequential regimens, benefits and risks.
Testosterone replacement therapy explained
TRT explained for UK patients — how hypogonadism is diagnosed, the formulations used, monitoring requirements and the common concerns clinicians address.
Understanding erectile dysfunction — causes and treatment options
Erectile dysfunction has vascular, hormonal and psychological causes. A UK pharmacist explains what to expect from an ED consultation and treatment options.
Semaglutide vs tirzepatide — what's the difference?
Semaglutide vs tirzepatide compared — single vs dual agonism, STEP and SURMOUNT trial signals, UK licensing and how a clinician chooses between them.
What is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and how does it work?
GLP-1 receptor agonists explained in plain English — how they mimic a natural gut hormone to affect appetite, gastric emptying and blood glucose in UK practice.
Wegovy pill vs Wegovy injection — what is different?
Wegovy pill vs injection: same semaglutide, different delivery. How daily oral and weekly injectable compare on dosing, weight loss, side effects and UK practice.
Is there a Wegovy pill in the UK?
Is there a Wegovy pill in the UK? A plain-English guide to oral semaglutide — Wegovy Oral and Rybelsus — how they're used, dosed and prescribed in UK practice.
Which weight-loss injection works best for you?
Mounjaro vs Wegovy in the UK: how tirzepatide and semaglutide compare on trial data, side effects, access and how a clinician matches the injection to the patient.
How long does finasteride take to work?
Finasteride timeline for male pattern hair loss in the UK — months 1–3 shed phase, 3–6 stabilisation, 6–12 regrowth, and why 12 months is the realistic decision point.
How much does TRT cost in the UK?
A clear UK cost framework for testosterone replacement therapy — NHS prescription charges, private clinic monthly fees, initial workup, and ongoing monitoring.
Does low testosterone cause weight gain?
How low testosterone affects body composition, fat distribution and metabolic rate — and why the relationship with weight is bidirectional, not one-way.
How does a weight-loss injection work?
How weight-loss injections work — GLP-1 receptor agonists, appetite signalling, gastric emptying, UK eligibility and what an injection course looks like in practice.
What causes bleeding on continuous HRT?
Why bleeding can happen on continuous combined HRT — what's expected in the first six months, when it warrants review, and how UK clinicians address persistent bleeding.
Can I buy Viagra over the counter in the UK?
UK guide to over-the-counter Viagra — what Viagra Connect is, how the pharmacist check works, who is eligible, and when a prescription consultation is needed.
How long does it take for Cialis to work?
A UK guide to Cialis (tadalafil) onset and duration — how fast it works, the 36-hour window, food and alcohol effects, and the on-demand vs daily dosing options.
Will minoxidil work for me?
Will minoxidil work for you? A UK pharmacist guide to who tends to respond, why results vary, the first signs it is working and when to combine with finasteride.
Does minoxidil work for beards?
Off-licence minoxidil for beard growth in the UK — what the evidence shows, realistic timelines, side effects, and what to discuss with a clinician first.
Does TRT cause hair loss?
Does testosterone replacement therapy cause hair loss? A UK pharmacist explains the DHT pathway, who is most at risk, and how clinicians monitor scalp changes on TRT.
Why am I not losing weight on Mounjaro?
Why weight loss on Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can stall or feel slow — dose, adherence, diet, sleep, plateaus, underlying conditions, and what UK clinicians review.
How does Viagra work?
A plain-English UK guide to how Viagra (sildenafil) works — PDE5 inhibition, the role of sexual arousal, onset and duration, and key safety considerations.
How long do Mounjaro side effects last?
How long Mounjaro (tirzepatide) side effects typically last — when nausea, constipation and fatigue peak, when they settle, and what UK clinicians watch for.
How long does it take for Mounjaro to work?
What to expect week by week on tirzepatide, from the starter dose through the therapeutic dose.
Does low testosterone cause hair loss?
The real link between testosterone, DHT and male-pattern hair loss — and when low T is actually worth testing for.
How long does it take for HRT to work?
A clear UK timeline for HRT — when hot flushes settle, when mood and sleep improve, and what to expect.
Emergency contraception — ellaOne vs Levonelle
How each works, when each is appropriate, the 72 vs 120-hour windows, and what to do for ongoing contraception.
How much finasteride should I take for hair loss?
The licensed UK dose, why higher doesn't mean better, why 5 mg is for something else, and how topical fits in.
Hay fever: antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops
A practical UK guide — antihistamine first, steroid nasal spray, eye drops when needed, and when to start before the season.
IBS: understanding triggers and treatment
How IBS is diagnosed, the role of low-FODMAP, antispasmodics and other treatments, and when to investigate further.
Migraine: treatment vs prevention explained
The two sides of UK migraine care — acute treatment to stop an attack and preventive treatment to reduce frequency.
Can I stay on a low dose of Wegovy?
When clinicians consider lower-dose maintenance, and the trade-offs between efficacy and tolerability.
When to increase your Mounjaro dose for weight loss
How UK clinicians decide when to step up tirzepatide — the four-week titration, signs to discuss, what to expect after a dose change.
Browse Farmeci's consultations A-Z
From weight management and TRT to HRT, ED, hair loss and more. Find your condition and start a free consultation — a UK-registered clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate.
From Farmeci's GPhC-registered pharmacy team. Clinically reviewed patient education — not medical advice.