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 Wind and Burping — UK Access and Cost Guide
Wind and burping are common side effects when taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a prescription-only weight loss injection licensed in the UK. These digestive symptoms typically occur early in treatment as your body adjusts to the medication, and often improve over time. If you're considering Mounjaro, understanding both the side effects and how to access it — including cost differences between NHS and private routes — will help you make an informed decision with your GP or prescriber.
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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 Much Does Mounjaro Cost in the UK?
Private prescription cost: Mounjaro is available through private prescribing services in the UK, with costs typically ranging from £149 to £320 per month depending on your dose. Doses start at 2.5 mg (the lowest cost tier) and escalate weekly over approximately 20 weeks to reach the maximum 15 mg dose. Each KwikPen contains four weeks' supply of your current dose.
- 2.5 mg (starting dose): typically £149–£180/month
- 5–10 mg (mid-range doses): typically £180–£250/month
- 15 mg (maximum dose): typically £250–£320/month
NHS access: If prescribed through the NHS, Mounjaro is free at point of use (standard prescription charge applies in England: £11.90 per item). However, NHS access is limited to specialist tier 3/4 weight management services following referral from your GP, and availability varies significantly by region. Waiting lists can be substantial in many areas.
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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.
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NHS vs Private: How to Access Mounjaro in the UK
NHS route: Ask your GP for a referral to your local specialist weight management service. Eligibility criteria include a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Assessment and prescribing happen through the NHS specialist service — no additional cost beyond standard prescription charges.
Private route: Complete an online clinical assessment with a UK-licensed prescriber through a GPhC-registered pharmacy. You'll answer health questions, declare any medications, and discuss any contraindications. If approved, a prescription is issued and your Mounjaro is dispensed and delivered. This route avoids waiting lists but requires payment upfront.
Wind and burping typically ease after the first few weeks as your digestive system adapts to tirzepatide. Your prescriber can offer dietary advice to help manage these symptoms during dose escalation.
- 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.
Why does Mounjaro cause wind and burping?
Mounjaro slows gastric emptying — how quickly food leaves your stomach — which allows more time for digestive gases to accumulate. This effect typically reduces after a few weeks as your body adjusts. Eating smaller meals, chewing thoroughly, and avoiding fizzy drinks can help.
Does wind and burping get better over time with Mounjaro?
Yes, for most people these symptoms are worst in the first few weeks and improve significantly by weeks 4–8 as your digestive system adapts. If symptoms persist beyond 8 weeks, discuss with your prescriber — dietary adjustments or temporary dose adjustment may help.
How much cheaper is Mounjaro on the NHS than private?
On the NHS, you pay a standard prescription charge (£11.90 in England). Privately, you'll pay £149–£320/month depending on dose. However, NHS access requires a referral and specialist assessment — it's not immediately available through your GP.
What's the difference between NHS and private Mounjaro prescriptions?
The medication is identical. The difference is the route: NHS requires specialist referral and may have waiting lists; private involves an online clinical assessment and immediate dispensing if approved. Private costs more upfront but offers faster access.
Is tirzepatide (Mounjaro) better than semaglutide (Wegovy) for managing wind and burping?
Both medications can cause similar digestive side effects initially. Mounjaro uses a dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism while Wegovy is GLP-1 only. Individual tolerance varies — your prescriber can help decide which is more suitable based on your medical history and preferences.
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.