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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Other Names for Mounjaro and How to Access It in the UK
Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a prescription-only weight management injection licensed in the UK. You might also hear it called by its generic name or see references to the Mounjaro KwikPen (the pre-filled injection device). This guide explains what Mounjaro is actually called, the different ways to access it in the UK, and what you can expect to pay through private channels or the NHS. Whether you're exploring weight management options or trying to understand your prescribing options, here's everything you need to know about accessing this medication in the UK.
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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.
What Mounjaro Is Called — Brand Name vs Generic Name
Mounjaro is the brand name for the medication tirzepatide, which is the generic (or active) name. You'll see both names used interchangeably in the UK health system, though Mounjaro is the more common term in everyday conversation. The medication comes as a pre-filled injection pen called the Mounjaro KwikPen, which contains a single weekly dose. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist — different from single-mechanism GLP-1 injections like Wegovy (semaglutide). When you receive a prescription from a UK-licensed prescriber, the prescription will specify "tirzepatide" as the medication, though the box will be labelled "Mounjaro" by the manufacturer, Eli Lilly. Understanding both names helps when discussing your medication with your GP or pharmacist, as they may use either term.
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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 Cost and Access Routes — Private vs NHS
Private prescribing route: Mounjaro is available through private online consultations with UK-licensed prescribers, typically costing £180–£280 per month depending on your dose. Access is quick (usually within days) without an NHS referral. NHS route: Mounjaro is approved by NICE for use within specialist tier 3 weight management services, but availability varies significantly by region. NHS access requires a GP referral to your local specialist weight management service, which may have waiting lists of several months. Try our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential outcomes and understand whether this medication might be right for you, and use the BMI calculator to check your current eligibility threshold.
- 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's the difference between Mounjaro and tirzepatide?
There is no difference — Mounjaro is the brand name, tirzepatide is the generic name for the same medication. All prescriptions specify tirzepatide as the active ingredient, and the product is packaged and sold as Mounjaro by the manufacturer. Both terms refer to the identical medication and are used interchangeably by UK healthcare professionals.
Is Mounjaro the same as Ozempic or Wegovy?
No. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a single GLP-1 agonist. Ozempic is also semaglutide but licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight management. All three are prescription-only, but Mounjaro has a different mechanism and different dosing. Your prescriber will assess which is most appropriate for you.
How much does Mounjaro cost privately in the UK?
Private prescriptions for Mounjaro typically cost £180–£280 per month depending on your dose. The 2.5 mg starting dose is usually cheaper; higher doses (up to 15 mg) cost more. Prices vary between providers. No NHS prescription cost applies — private costs are in addition to standard prescription charges if applicable.
Can I get Mounjaro through the NHS?
Potentially, yes. NICE has approved tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for specialist NHS weight management services (tier 3). Access requires a GP referral to your local specialist weight management service. Availability varies by region, and waiting lists can be lengthy. Ask your GP about referral options and expected timelines in your area.
What happens during a private online consultation for Mounjaro?
You'll answer health questions online about your weight, BMI, medical history, and current medications. A UK-licensed prescriber reviews your answers and decides if Mounjaro is suitable. If approved, a prescription is issued and sent to a GPhC-registered pharmacy for dispensing. The whole process typically takes 24–48 hours. Individual assessment is essential — not everyone will be eligible.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
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