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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Mounjaro Cravings Coming Back — What It Means for Cost and Access
When you're on Mounjaro, appetite suppression is one of the key benefits — but what happens if cravings start returning? This can happen for several reasons, from dose adjustments to your body adapting to the medication. Understanding why this occurs, and how it affects your ongoing access and costs in the UK, helps you make informed decisions about continuing treatment. Whether you're accessing tirzepatide through the NHS or privately, knowing your options is essential.
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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.
Why Cravings Return on Mounjaro — And What It Costs to Continue
Appetite suppression with Mounjaro (tirzepatide) typically works by activating GIP and GLP-1 receptor pathways, signalling fullness to your brain. However, several factors can cause cravings to return even while taking the medication.
- Dose plateau: Your body may adapt to your current dose. Many people require dose titration — moving from 2.5 mg through 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and up to 15 mg — to maintain appetite suppression.
- Individual variation: Not everyone experiences the same level of appetite suppression at every dose. Some people find the effect stabilises at a lower dose; others need the maximum.
- Lifestyle factors: Stress, sleep deprivation, and returning to old eating patterns can reactivate cravings, even with medication.
- Gastric adaptation: The medication's effect on gastric emptying (slowing digestion) may reduce over time as your stomach adjusts.
If cravings return, discussing a dose increase with your prescriber is often the next step. This affects both NHS and private access routes differently in terms of cost and timeline.
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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.
UK Access Routes — NHS vs Private Cost and Timelines
NHS access: Mounjaro is available through specialist tier 3 weight management services, but access is limited and varies significantly by region. Waiting times can be 6–18 months or longer in many areas. If approved, you pay nothing — the NHS covers all costs. However, if cravings return and you need a dose increase, this requires reassessment by the specialist team, which may involve another waiting period.
Private access: Online prescription services allow faster access without NHS referral. Cost typically ranges from £129–£320 per month depending on your dose. A 2.5 mg starting dose is usually cheaper than 15 mg. If cravings return and you need escalation, you simply book another online consultation with your prescriber — usually within days — and your next KwikPen is dispatched quickly. This flexibility costs more but offers faster adjustment.
Before deciding between NHS and private routes, use our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential weight loss at different doses — this can help you understand whether dose titration might be necessary for your target outcome. You can also track your appetite and cravings over time with our progress tracker, which helps identify patterns and signals to share with your prescriber when discussing dose changes.
- 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.
If cravings come back on Mounjaro, does that mean it's not working?
Not necessarily. Cravings can return for several reasons — dose plateau, body adaptation, lifestyle changes, or individual variation. Many people find a higher dose restores appetite suppression. It's not a treatment failure; it's a signal to discuss dose titration with your prescriber.
How much more does it cost to increase my Mounjaro dose privately?
Private costs vary by provider but generally range from £129–£320 per month. Higher doses (10–15 mg) cost more than starter doses (2.5–5 mg). Increasing your dose within the same private provider typically costs a small amount more per pen. Always check with your provider for exact pricing.
Can I get a Mounjaro dose increase on the NHS if cravings return?
Yes, but it requires reassessment by your specialist weight management service. This can involve another appointment and waiting time. Your prescriber will check whether dose titration is appropriate based on your progress, side effects, and health goals.
How long does it take to see appetite suppression return after a dose increase?
Most people notice reduced appetite within 1–2 weeks of escalating their Mounjaro dose, though some experience it within days. If cravings don't improve after 4 weeks at a higher dose, discuss this with your prescriber.
Is it cheaper to switch to Wegovy if cravings come back on Mounjaro?
Not necessarily. Mounjaro is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist; Wegovy is a GLP-1 agonist only. Cost is similar across UK private providers (£120–£300/month). Switching isn't usually a cost issue — it's a clinical question. Your prescriber can advise whether switching is appropriate for you.
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.