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
How Much Does GLP-1 Weight Loss Cost in the UK?
GLP-1 weight loss medications in the UK come with very different costs depending on whether you access them through the NHS or privately. If you're considering treatment, understanding the true cost — including the medication price, clinical assessment fees, and ongoing monitoring — is essential. This guide breaks down what you'll actually pay and how to access weight management uk options at each price point.
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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.
Private GLP-1 Costs — What You'll Pay
Private prescription GLP-1 medications are the fastest route to treatment but involve direct costs. Wegovy (semaglutide), the licensed weight loss injection, typically costs between £129 and £320 per month depending on the dose you're prescribed. Starting doses (0.25–0.5 mg) are usually at the lower end; maximum doses (2.4 mg) are at the higher end. Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a newer dual GIP/GLP-1 option, generally costs between £150 and £350 per month depending on your dose escalation. Saxenda (liraglutide), a daily injection alternative, typically costs £100–£180 monthly. Prices vary between GPhC-registered online pharmacies. Most private providers also charge an initial clinical assessment fee (£30–£100) and may charge for ongoing monitoring. Over a year on maximum dose, expect private costs of roughly £2,000–£4,500 plus assessment fees.
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.
NHS Access — Waiting But Potentially Free
Through the NHS, GLP-1 weight loss medications are available at no direct cost — but access is significantly limited and varies by region. You'll need referral from your GP to a tier 3 specialist weight management service, which currently has long waiting lists in most areas (3–24 months in many regions). NHS weight loss medication is only prescribed after other interventions have been tried and documented. Once prescribed, the medication itself is free under NHS prescriptions, though you'll pay standard prescription charges (£11.65 per item in England, 2026). Some people find the wait unacceptable and choose private treatment instead, even at higher cost, to start immediately.
- 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 Wegovy cost privately in the UK?
Private Wegovy costs between £129–£320 per month depending on your dose, plus an initial clinical assessment fee (typically £30–£100). A full year on maximum dose (2.4 mg) costs approximately £2,000–£3,500 before assessment fees. Prices vary between GPhC-registered online pharmacies.
Can I get GLP-1 weight loss medication free on the NHS?
Yes, GLP-1 medications are available free through NHS specialist weight management services (you pay standard prescription charges only). However, access requires GP referral and waiting lists are very long (often 6–24 months). Availability varies significantly by region and ICB funding.
What's the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic cost?
Ozempic contains semaglutide but is NOT licensed for weight loss in the UK — it's licensed only for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is the licensed weight loss version of semaglutide. Using Ozempic for weight loss is off-label. Costs are similar, but only Wegovy should be used for weight management.
Is GLP-1 weight loss prescription weight loss treatment covered by insurance in the UK?
Most standard UK private health insurance plans do not cover weight loss medications. Some specialist policies may offer partial cover, but this is rare. Private costs are usually paid out-of-pocket. Always check your specific policy terms.
How can I calculate what weight loss injections might cost me personally?
Try our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator, which estimates potential results and helps you understand the dose trajectory — useful context for budgeting. Combined with your BMI calculator results, you can discuss realistic timescales and costs with your prescriber or GP.
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.