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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Is Wegovy Any Good? UK Cost and Access Guide
Whether Wegovy is any good depends on your individual health needs, weight loss goals, and how you access it in the UK. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription-only GLP-1 receptor agonist that clinical trials showed helped people lose an average of 14.9% of their body weight — though individual results vary significantly. This guide covers UK costs, how to get Wegovy on the NHS versus privately, and what you can realistically expect.
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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.
Wegovy Cost and Availability in the UK
Private Wegovy cost: Expect to pay between £120–£300 per month through private online prescribing services, depending on your dose. Costs vary because different providers price differently — there is no fixed NHS price for private prescriptions. Starting doses (0.25 mg) are typically cheaper; higher maintenance doses (1.7 mg or 2.4 mg) cost more. You will need an online clinical assessment with a UK-licensed prescriber before a prescription is issued. This assessment usually costs £20–£50 extra.
- Monthly costs increase as you escalate doses over 17 weeks
- Each pen lasts 4 weeks (contains 4 doses)
- Private access is faster than NHS — often available within days
- Available without GP referral
NHS Wegovy access: If available through your local NHS integrated care board (ICB), Wegovy may be prescribed free at point of use. However, NHS availability is extremely limited and regional. Many areas have no access, long waiting lists, or strict eligibility criteria. Referral to a tier 3 specialist weight management service is required — this is not available as a routine GP prescription.
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 vs Private: Which Route Is Right for You?
The NHS route is free but involves waiting lists (sometimes 12–24 months in some regions) and limited availability. Your GP refers you to a specialist weight management service, which assesses you and decides if Wegovy (or Mounjaro as an alternative) is appropriate. NHS prescribers follow NICE guidance closely.
The private route is faster and available now but costs £1,500–£3,600 per year depending on dose. You book an online consultation, a prescriber assesses your eligibility based on your health history and BMI, and your prescription is dispensed by a GPhC-registered pharmacy. Both routes require a clinical assessment — Wegovy is prescription-only and not available to buy without a prescription from any legitimate provider.
Use our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate your potential weight loss at different Wegovy doses, and our BMI calculator to confirm your eligibility.
- 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 per month in the UK?
Private Wegovy costs typically £120–£300 per month depending on your dose and the provider. Starting doses are cheaper; maximum dose (2.4 mg) is most expensive. Costs increase as you escalate doses over 17 weeks. NHS Wegovy is free if available through your local ICB, but availability is extremely limited and many areas have no access or long waiting lists.
Is Wegovy available on the NHS in the UK?
Wegovy is licensed for NHS use but availability is very limited and varies by region. You need a GP referral to a tier 3 specialist weight management service, and even then, some areas have waiting lists of 12–24 months or no access at all. NICE has approved semaglutide (Wegovy) but NHS prescribing depends on local commissioning decisions and capacity.
How do I get Wegovy on prescription privately?
Book an online consultation with a UK-licensed prescriber through a GPhC-registered service. You'll answer health questions and may have a brief video call. If approved, your prescription is sent to a pharmacy and delivered to you. The whole process usually takes 2–7 days. Private prescriptions require an online assessment fee (typically £20–£50) on top of the medication cost.
What's the difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist; Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist. Clinical trials showed Mounjaro produced slightly higher average weight loss (15–21% vs Wegovy's 14.9%), but both are effective. Wegovy doses from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg weekly; Mounjaro from 2.5 mg to 15 mg weekly. Both are prescription-only, and individual results vary significantly.
What side effects should I expect with Wegovy?
Very common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, and stomach pain — usually mild and temporary during dose escalation. Less common effects are headache, fatigue, and injection site reactions. Serious side effects are rare but include severe stomach pain (possible pancreatitis) and gallbladder issues. Always report persistent symptoms to your prescriber.
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.