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
Mounjaro Maintenance Dose For Weight Loss in the UK
Mounjaro's maintenance dose for weight loss is 10 mg once weekly, with some patients escalating to 15 mg if needed. This maintenance phase is reached after a 20-week titration period, starting from 2.5 mg. The maintenance dose is when your body has adjusted to the medication and weight loss becomes consistent. In the UK, Mounjaro is available through NHS specialist tier 3 weight management services or private prescription. Understanding how maintenance doses work helps you set realistic expectations and work with your prescriber on the right dose for your individual needs.
10,000+ calculations today · NHS-aligned thresholds · 100% free
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.
How Mounjaro Dose Escalation Works in the UK
Mounjaro is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist available as a weekly weight loss injection in the UK. Rather than starting at the full dose, Mounjaro follows a careful four-week escalation schedule:
- Weeks 1–4: 2.5 mg — starting dose
- Weeks 5–8: 5 mg — first escalation
- Weeks 9–12: 7.5 mg — continued escalation
- Weeks 13–16: 10 mg — standard maintenance dose
- Weeks 17–20: 12.5 mg — optional escalation
- Week 21+: 15 mg — maximum dose
Most patients reach a stable maintenance dose at 10 mg weekly, where weight loss plateaus and your body has fully adapted. Some people escalate further to 12.5 mg or 15 mg if needed for additional effect. Each dose increase requires a minimum of four weeks on the current dose. Your prescriber will assess your progress and side effects before recommending escalation. Clinical trial data shows that higher doses produce greater average weight loss, but individual response varies significantly. Using our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator, you can explore projected weight loss at different maintenance dose levels.
Weight 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.
Mounjaro Maintenance Doses and NHS vs Private Routes in the UK
In the UK, Mounjaro is available through NHS specialist weight management services (tier 3) or private prescription. NHS prescribing: Access is via referral from your GP to a specialist tier 3 service, where a multidisciplinary team assesses your eligibility and manages dose escalation. Private prescription: Available through GPhC-registered online prescribing services without NHS referral; you follow the same dose titration schedule but manage it privately. Eligibility for both routes requires a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above (or 27+ with weight-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes or hypertension). Your prescriber will help determine the right maintenance dose for your body, which may be 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg weekly. Track your weight loss progress using our free progress tracker to monitor how well your chosen maintenance dose is working for you.
- 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 is the standard Mounjaro maintenance dose for weight loss in the UK?
The standard maintenance dose is 10 mg once weekly, typically reached at week 13 after a 20-week escalation period. Some patients escalate further to 12.5 mg or 15 mg depending on individual response and prescriber guidance. Clinical trials showed average weight loss of 15–21% of body weight at maintenance doses of 10 mg or higher, though results vary significantly between individuals.
How long does it take to reach Mounjaro maintenance dose?
It takes 20 weeks (approximately 5 months) to reach the standard 10 mg maintenance dose, as Mounjaro is escalated by 2.5 mg every four weeks starting from 2.5 mg. Some patients choose to remain on intermediate doses like 7.5 mg if they achieve good weight loss without progressing further. Your prescriber may adjust this timeline based on how you tolerate each dose.
Can I stay on a lower Mounjaro dose if it's working?
Yes. Mounjaro escalation is not mandatory — if you're experiencing good weight loss and tolerating your current dose well at 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg, your prescriber may recommend continuing at that level rather than escalating. The goal is to find the dose that achieves effective weight loss with manageable side effects for you personally.
Is Mounjaro available on the NHS for weight management in the UK?
Yes, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is licensed in the UK and available through NHS specialist tier 3 weight management services following referral from your GP. NICE has approved tirzepatide for weight management. However, NHS availability varies by region and waiting lists can be lengthy. Private prescription via GPhC-registered services is also available without NHS referral.
How does Mounjaro's maintenance dose compare to Wegovy for weight loss?
Mounjaro's maximum maintenance dose of 15 mg is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, whilst Wegovy's maximum dose of 2.4 mg is a GLP-1-only medication. Clinical trial data suggests Mounjaro produces slightly higher average weight loss (15–21% vs approximately 15% for Wegovy), but individual results vary greatly. The choice depends on individual tolerability and prescriber assessment.
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.