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
Free tracker included with every download this week
Can I Get Mounjaro on NHS Scotland?
Getting Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on the NHS in Scotland is possible but depends on your health board and specialist services availability. NICE has approved tirzepatide for NHS use in weight management, but access is limited to specialist tier 3 and tier 4 services rather than standard GP prescriptions. This guide explains your options through NHS Scotland and private prescription routes, including costs, eligibility criteria, and what to expect from the application process. Waiting times and availability vary significantly across different Scottish health boards.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
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.
NHS Access to Mounjaro in Scotland
NHS Scotland approval: NICE guidelines recommend tirzepatide for weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or 27–29.9 kg/m² with weight-related health conditions. However, NHS access in Scotland is managed through specialist weight management services, not routine GP prescriptions.
Health board variation: Each Scottish health board (NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Borders, NHS Dumfries & Galloway, NHS Fife, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Highland, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Lothian, NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland, and NHS Tayside) makes its own commissioning decisions. Some boards fund tirzepatide; others may have limited access or waiting lists.
Referral process: You must be referred to your local NHS specialist weight management service by your GP. This is typically a tier 3 service. Your GP cannot prescribe Mounjaro directly — it must come through the specialist pathway.
- Ask your GP for a referral to the specialist weight management service in your area
- You will be assessed against NHS eligibility criteria
- If approved, the specialist team will prescribe and monitor your treatment
- Waiting times vary: some services have waiting lists of several months to over a year
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
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.
Private Prescription & NHS vs Private Routes
Private prescription costs: If NHS access is unavailable or waiting times are too long, Mounjaro is available through private online prescribing services following a clinical assessment. Private costs typically range from £180–£320 per month depending on your dose (starting at 2.5 mg, scaling up to a maximum of 15 mg). A Mounjaro KwikPen contains 4 weekly doses.
NHS vs private choice: The NHS route is free but involves waiting lists and specialist referral; private prescriptions are faster (often within days) but require payment. Both require a prescription from a UK-licensed prescriber and a clinical assessment to confirm Mounjaro is suitable for you. Use our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential outcomes at different doses, and our BMI calculator to check your current eligibility threshold. Either route requires commitment to lifestyle changes alongside medication.
- 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.
What is the NHS eligibility criteria for Mounjaro in Scotland?
NHS Scotland approves Mounjaro for adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or 27–29.9 kg/m² with weight-related health conditions (type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease). South Asian, Black African, and Black Caribbean adults may qualify at slightly lower BMI thresholds. Eligibility is assessed by NHS specialist weight management services.
How long are NHS Scotland waiting lists for Mounjaro?
Waiting times vary significantly between Scottish health boards. Some services have waiting lists of 3–6 months; others may exceed 12–18 months. Contact your local health board's weight management service or ask your GP for current estimated waiting times. Availability also depends on whether your health board commissions tirzepatide.
Can my GP prescribe Mounjaro directly on the NHS?
No. Mounjaro is only prescribed through NHS specialist weight management services (tier 3), not standard GP practices. You must be referred by your GP to the specialist service in your area. The specialist team will assess you and manage your prescription if approved.
How much does Mounjaro cost privately in Scotland?
Private Mounjaro costs typically range from £180–£320 per month depending on your dose. Starting dose is 2.5 mg; doses increase gradually over several weeks up to a maximum of 15 mg weekly. Each KwikPen contains 4 weekly doses. Prices may vary slightly between private prescribing services.
What happens if I'm not approved by NHS Scotland?
If you don't meet NHS eligibility criteria or your health board has not commissioned tirzepatide, private prescription through a UK-licensed online prescriber is an option. Private routes bypass NHS waiting lists but require you to pay for treatment. A clinical assessment is still required — the prescriber will confirm Mounjaro is suitable for your health profile.
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.