The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
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How Much Does 5 mg Mounjaro Cost in the UK?
The 5 mg dose of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is the first maintenance dose reached during the dose titration process. If you're considering this prescription weight management injection in the UK, you'll need to understand both NHS and private access routes, which differ significantly in cost and availability. This guide explains what to expect and how to get started.
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Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
Private Access: Cost and How to Get 5 mg Mounjaro
Private prescription cost: The 5 mg dose of Mounjaro typically costs between £140 and £200 per month through UK private online prescribing services, though prices vary by provider. A single KwikPen contains 4 doses (4 weeks' supply), so monthly costs reflect this standard pack size.
- You access 5 mg after completing the initial 2.5 mg starting dose (4 weeks minimum)
- Private route requires an online consultation with a UK-licensed prescriber
- Prescription is dispensed by a GPhC-registered pharmacy
- No NHS referral needed — accessible within 1–2 weeks typically
- Payment is direct to the provider, not through NHS
Compared to Wegovy (semaglutide), which reaches 2.4 mg maximum, Mounjaro's dual GIP and GLP-1 mechanism allows escalation to higher doses (up to 15 mg), which may influence both cost progression and clinical outcomes as you advance through the dose titration schedule.
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How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
NHS vs Private: Which Route for 5 mg Mounjaro?
NHS access: Mounjaro is available through NHS specialist weight management services (tier 3/4), but availability is extremely limited and varies by region. NICE has approved tirzepatide, yet most NHS services have long waiting lists—often 12 months or more—and not all Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) commission it. You would need a GP referral to start the process.
Private access is faster: Most people access 5 mg Mounjaro privately through online prescribing, which typically takes 1–2 weeks from consultation to first dose. Your GP cannot prescribe it on the NHS outside specialist services. Use our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential outcomes at this dose based on your starting weight, then decide which route suits your timeline and budget.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
How much does a 5 mg Mounjaro KwikPen cost in the UK?
A single KwikPen (4 doses for 4 weeks) typically costs £140–£200 through private UK prescribing services. Prices vary by provider. NHS access is free but availability is extremely limited, with waiting lists often exceeding 12 months in most areas.
Can I get 5 mg Mounjaro on the NHS?
Yes, Mounjaro is NICE-approved for NHS weight management, but access is through tier 3 specialist services only, not standard GP prescription. Availability varies significantly by region, and waiting lists are typically very long. Private access is much faster.
What's the difference between 5 mg Mounjaro and Wegovy?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist; Wegovy (semaglutide) is GLP-1 only. Mounjaro's 5 mg dose is equivalent to roughly Wegovy's 1 mg dose. Mounjaro can escalate to 15 mg; Wegovy maxes at 2.4 mg. Both are prescription-only and available privately or through NHS specialist services.
How long does it take to reach 5 mg Mounjaro?
You start at 2.5 mg for weeks 1–4, then escalate to 5 mg for weeks 5–8 onwards. Minimum 4 weeks at each dose before increasing. So you'll reach 5 mg by week 5, assuming no delays or side effects requiring slower escalation.
Is there a difference in cost between 5 mg and 10 mg Mounjaro in the UK?
Pricing is typically per KwikPen (4 doses), not per individual dose. So 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and higher doses usually cost similarly—around £140–£200 per month. Check with your provider as pricing structures may vary slightly.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.