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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Semaglutide Weight Loss Injections in the UK
Semaglutide is a prescription-only GLP-1 receptor agonist available in the UK under the brand name Wegovy for weight management. If you're considering this weekly weight loss injection, you'll want to understand both the cost and how to access it. The UK offers two routes: NHS specialist services and private online prescribing. Each has different timelines, eligibility criteria, and costs. This guide explains what you need to know about getting semaglutide in the UK, including typical private prescription costs and NHS access pathways.
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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.
Semaglutide Cost and Private Access in the UK
Private prescription costs for semaglutide (Wegovy) typically range from £129 to £320 per month in the UK, depending on your dose and the provider. The standard maintenance dose of 2.4mg usually costs between £250 and £320 monthly. Starter packs covering the first four weeks of 0.25mg doses are typically cheaper at around £129–£180. Each dose increase step costs differently as you titrate upwards over 4–5 months.
- Starting doses (0.25mg–1mg): typically £129–£180 per month
- Mid-range doses (1.7mg): approximately £199–£250 per month
- Maintenance dose (2.4mg): usually £250–£320 per month
Private access requires an online consultation with a UK-licensed prescriber, typically costing £30–£50 as a one-off fee. The prescriber assesses your eligibility based on your BMI, health history, and current medications before issuing a prescription. Once approved, a GPhC-registered pharmacy dispenses your Wegovy pen. Most private providers offer ongoing support and repeat prescriptions without additional consultation fees. Calculate your personal BMI using our free BMI calculator to check your eligibility before consulting.
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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.
NHS Access vs Private Routes Explained
The NHS route for semaglutide access is through specialist tier 3 weight management services. You'll need a GP referral, and your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) must fund the service. Availability varies significantly across the UK—some areas have waiting lists of 12–24 months, whilst others may not offer it yet. NHS access is free once approved, but the extended waiting times mean many people choose private routes instead.
Private online prescribing is faster, typically requiring just one online consultation. You choose a GPhC-registered provider, complete a health questionnaire, have a video or telephone consultation with a licensed prescriber, and receive your prescription within days if approved. This route is ideal if you want to start treatment quickly without NHS waiting lists. Try our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential results at different Wegovy doses before committing.
- 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.
How much does Wegovy cost per month in the UK?
Private Wegovy costs typically range from £129–£320 monthly depending on your dose. Starter doses (0.25mg–1mg) cost around £129–£180, mid-range doses (1.7mg) cost £199–£250, and the maintenance dose (2.4mg) costs £250–£320. NHS access is free but involves longer waiting times for specialist services.
Can I get semaglutide on the NHS?
Yes, semaglutide (Wegovy) is available through NHS specialist weight management services (tier 3). You need a GP referral and your local ICB must fund the service. However, waiting lists are significant in many areas, sometimes 12–24 months, so private access is often faster.
What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Both contain semaglutide, but Wegovy is licensed for weight management (doses up to 2.4mg) whilst Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes (doses up to 2mg). In the UK, Wegovy is the approved weight loss version. Using Ozempic for weight loss is off-label and not recommended.
How long does it take to get a private semaglutide prescription?
Private prescribing is much faster than NHS. After your online consultation (completed in 1–2 days), approval typically comes within 24–48 hours if clinically suitable. You can receive your first Wegovy pen within a week of consultation, compared to months-long NHS waiting lists.
Do I need a GP's permission to access private semaglutide?
No. Private semaglutide prescribing does not require NHS referral or GP permission. You access it independently through a private prescriber. However, it's good practice to inform your GP that you're starting treatment so they can monitor your progress and manage any interactions with other medications.
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.