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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What Is The Maintenance Dose Of Mounjaro vs Wegovy?
The maintenance dose of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is 15 mg once weekly, though many people stay on lower doses depending on their individual response. Wegovy (semaglutide), by contrast, reaches a maximum maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. Both are prescription-only weight management injections available in the UK, but they work through different mechanisms and reach their maintenance doses over different timescales. Understanding how these doses compare helps you understand what your prescriber might recommend during a clinical assessment.
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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.
How Mounjaro And Wegovy Maintenance Doses Compare
Mounjaro maintenance dose: 15 mg once weekly (weeks 21 onwards). Most people reach this over a 20-week titration schedule, starting at 2.5 mg and increasing every 4 weeks. However, not everyone needs the maximum — many people achieve their weight loss goals on 10 mg or 12.5 mg and remain on that dose long-term.
Wegovy maintenance dose: 2.4 mg once weekly (weeks 17 onwards). The titration is faster, starting at 0.25 mg and escalating weekly for the first month, then every 4 weeks after that.
- Mounjaro is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist — activating two hormone pathways
- Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist only — activating one pathway
- Clinical trials (SURMOUNT-1 for Mounjaro, STEP-1 for Wegovy) showed Mounjaro achieved slightly higher average weight loss, though individual results vary significantly
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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.
How Your Prescriber Decides Your Maintenance Dose
Your prescriber will not automatically put you on the maximum maintenance dose — they assess your individual response to each dose level. Factors considered include: how well you're tolerating the medication, your weight loss progress, any side effects, and your overall health. Some people reach their weight loss goal on a lower dose and stay there. Others require a higher dose. During your clinical assessment, your prescriber reviews your medical history, current medications, and health conditions to determine the right starting point and escalation plan for you.
Both Mounjaro and Wegovy are prescription-only and available in the UK through NHS specialist weight management services or private online prescribing following a full clinical assessment. Use our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore projected weight loss at different doses — then discuss your specific needs with your prescriber.
- 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 maximum maintenance dose of Mounjaro?
The maximum maintenance dose of Mounjaro is 15 mg once weekly. This is reached after a 20-week titration period starting at 2.5 mg. However, many people stay on lower doses (10 mg or 12.5 mg) if they achieve their weight loss goals and tolerate the medication well at that level.
Is Mounjaro's maintenance dose higher than Wegovy's?
Yes. Mounjaro's maximum is 15 mg weekly, whilst Wegovy's maximum is 2.4 mg weekly. This doesn't mean Mounjaro is "stronger" — the medications have different mechanisms (Mounjaro is dual GIP+GLP-1; Wegovy is GLP-1 only) and are dosed accordingly. Clinical trials showed both achieve meaningful weight loss, though results vary individually.
How long does it take to reach Mounjaro maintenance dose?
It takes approximately 20 weeks to reach the maximum maintenance dose of 15 mg. You start at 2.5 mg and increase by one dose level every 4 weeks (2.5 → 5 → 7.5 → 10 → 12.5 → 15 mg). Your prescriber may adjust this timeline based on your individual tolerance and response.
Do all patients stay on the maximum Mounjaro dose?
No. Not everyone needs the maximum dose. Your prescriber assesses your response at each dose level and may keep you on a lower dose (such as 10 mg or 12.5 mg) if you're achieving good weight loss results and tolerating it well. The goal is the right dose for you, not the highest dose.
How do I know which maintenance dose is right for me?
Your prescriber determines this during your clinical assessment and ongoing monitoring. They consider your weight loss progress, side effects, medical conditions, and how well you're tolerating the medication at each dose level. This is why regular check-ins with your healthcare provider are important whilst on tirzepatide or semaglutide.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
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