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 You Get Mounjaro on the NHS?
Yes, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is available on the NHS, but access is limited and varies significantly by region. Mounjaro is prescribed through specialist tier 3 and tier 4 weight management services, not through your standard GP surgery. You'll need a referral from your GP and a clinical assessment from a specialist team. Availability depends on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), and waiting lists can be lengthy in many areas. Many people find private prescribing a faster alternative.
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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 — What You Need to Know
Mounjaro is licensed for weight management in the UK, and NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has approved tirzepatide for use within NHS specialist weight management services. However, access is not straightforward:
- Referral required: Your GP must refer you to a tier 3 or tier 4 specialist weight management service
- Regional variation: Availability differs significantly between ICBs — some regions have well-established services, others have very limited capacity
- Waiting lists: Many NHS services have waiting periods ranging from months to over a year
- Eligibility assessment: The specialist team will assess whether you meet criteria: BMI ≥30 or BMI 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions
- Ethnicity-adjusted thresholds: Lower BMI thresholds may apply if you're of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage
NHS Mounjaro treatment is typically provided alongside dietitian support and lifestyle interventions as part of a comprehensive weight management programme.
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 Access to Mounjaro — A Faster Route
If NHS waiting times are prohibitive, Mounjaro is available through private prescribing in the UK. Following a brief online clinical assessment with a UK-licensed prescriber, you can receive a prescription for tirzepatide. This route:
- Requires no NHS referral
- Can provide access within days rather than months
- Is dispensed by GPhC-registered pharmacies
- Costs vary by dose (typically £130–£320+ per month)
- Still requires the same clinical assessment and contraindications check as NHS provision
Either route requires a prescription — Mounjaro is not available over-the-counter. Try our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore potential outcomes.
- 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's the difference between NHS and private Mounjaro?
NHS Mounjaro is free but requires a GP referral and specialist assessment with long waiting lists. Private Mounjaro requires an online clinical assessment and costs £130–£320+ monthly but is available within days. Both require a prescription and the same clinical eligibility checks.
Do I need to be referred by my GP to get Mounjaro on the NHS?
Yes. Your GP must refer you to a specialist tier 3 or tier 4 weight management service. You cannot self-refer directly to NHS specialist services. Your GP will assess whether referral is appropriate for your circumstances.
What's the NHS eligibility criteria for Mounjaro?
Adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or BMI 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease) may be eligible. For South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean adults, lower thresholds apply (BMI 27.5+).
How long is the NHS waiting list for Mounjaro?
Waiting times vary widely by region. Some areas have 3–6 month waits; others exceed 12 months or more. Check with your local ICB for specific timescales. Private prescribing typically provides access within 3–5 days.
Is Mounjaro the same as the tirzepatide available privately?
Yes. Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide whether prescribed through NHS specialist services or private prescribing. The medication, doses, and clinical requirements are identical — the difference is access route, cost, and waiting time.
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.