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 Eligibility and Cost in the UK
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only weight management injection licensed in the UK, but access and cost differ significantly depending on whether you pursue NHS or private treatment. Your eligibility is based on your BMI, health conditions, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds. This guide explains who qualifies, how much it costs, and what the application process involves. Use our free BMI calculator above to check where you stand against NHS eligibility criteria.
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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.
NHS Access and Mounjaro Eligibility
NHS eligibility for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is managed through specialist tier 3 and tier 4 weight management services, not standard GP prescription. You typically need to be referred by your GP, though referral pathways and availability vary significantly by region and Integrated Care Board (ICB).
General eligibility criteria:
- BMI of 30 kg/m² or above (obesity), OR
- BMI of 27–29.9 kg/m² (overweight) with at least one weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease history
Lower thresholds for certain ethnic groups: Adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage may qualify at BMI 27.5 or above, as the NHS recognises these populations face higher metabolic risk at lower BMI levels.
NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) approved tirzepatide for NHS use within specialist weight management services. However, NHS availability remains inconsistent — waiting times in many areas exceed 12 months, and some regions have limited or no provision.
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, Cost, and the Online Route
Private access to Mounjaro in the UK is available through registered online prescribing services. You complete an online health assessment reviewed by a UK-licensed prescriber. If approved, a prescription is issued and the medication is dispensed by a GPhC-registered pharmacy — typically sent to your home.
Private cost context: Mounjaro pricing varies by dose and provider. Initial doses (2.5 mg and 5 mg) generally cost less than higher maintenance doses (10 mg–15 mg). Monthly costs typically range from approximately £129–£320 depending on dose. Private treatment bypasses NHS waiting lists — you can often start within days or weeks.
Unlike the NHS route, private access does not require a GP referral. However, you still need a genuine clinical assessment by a qualified prescriber, and treatment is only prescribed if clinically appropriate for your individual health profile.
- 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 BMI do I need to qualify for Mounjaro on the NHS?
You typically need a BMI of 30 or above, or 27–29.9 with a weight-related health condition like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. If you're of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the threshold is lower (BMI 27.5 or above). Use our free BMI calculator to check your personal BMI instantly.
How long are NHS waiting lists for Mounjaro?
NHS waiting times vary widely by region and ICB. Many areas report waiting lists of 12 months or longer. Some regions have no specialist weight management service at all. Contact your local specialist tier 3 service through your GP for current timescales in your area.
How much does Mounjaro cost privately in the UK?
Private Mounjaro costs typically range from approximately £129–£320 per month, depending on your dose (starting doses are cheaper, maximum doses more expensive). Prices vary between providers, so it's worth comparing. Cost does not include the prescriber consultation fee, which varies.
Do I need a GP referral to access Mounjaro privately?
No. Private online prescribing services do not require a GP referral — you can apply directly. However, you still need a clinical assessment by a UK-licensed prescriber who will review your health history to confirm the medication is appropriate for you.
Can I switch from NHS to private Mounjaro treatment?
Yes. If you're waiting for NHS access, you can pursue private treatment simultaneously. However, if you later access Mounjaro through the NHS, inform your prescriber that you have previously used the medication, as this affects initial dosing and monitoring.
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.