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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Tirzepatide 10mg: NHS Prescribing and UK Eligibility
Tirzepatide 10mg is a weekly weight loss injection licensed in the UK as part of specialist weight management treatment. At this dose, you're typically at the escalation phase of tirzepatide therapy, having progressed from the initial 2.5mg starting dose. This guide explains how the 10mg dose works, who is eligible through NHS services, and how it compares to other available options in UK prescribing. Understanding your dosing stage helps you work effectively with your healthcare team.
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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.
NHS Eligibility and Tirzepatide 10mg Prescribing
NHS access to tirzepatide (marketed as Mounjaro) is available through specialist tier 3 weight management services, not routine GP prescription. You'll typically be referred by your GP if you meet eligibility criteria. For the 10mg dose specifically, you must have already tolerated and responded to lower doses (2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg), with a minimum of 4 weeks on each dose before escalation.
- BMI of 30 or above, or BMI 27–29.9 with weight-related conditions (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea)
- For South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean adults: BMI 27.5 or above
- Commitment to reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity alongside injection
- No contraindications (pregnancy, personal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2)
Clinical trials showed that at the 10mg dose, tirzepatide as a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist helped participants lose an average of approximately 19.5% of body weight over 72 weeks — though individual results vary significantly. Use our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential outcomes at different doses based on your starting weight.
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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.
NHS vs Private Access: What's the Difference?
NHS route: Referral through your GP to a specialist weight management service (tier 3). Once accepted, the service prescribes and monitors your tirzepatide therapy, including dose escalation to 10mg. No direct cost to you, but availability and waiting times vary significantly across UK regions — some services have waiting lists of several months or longer.
Private route: You can access tirzepatide through GPhC-registered online prescribing services following a clinical assessment, without NHS referral. This is faster and more flexible, but costs approximately £200–£280 per dose (four-week supply) depending on your dose and provider. Both routes require prescription only — tirzepatide is never available without clinical assessment.
- 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 10mg tirzepatide dose used for?
The 10mg dose is part of the dose escalation schedule for tirzepatide therapy. You reach it after tolerating lower doses (2.5mg through 7.5mg), typically after 12 weeks of treatment. At 10mg, the dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist effects are stronger, supporting greater appetite reduction and potentially more substantial weight loss.
How long should I stay on tirzepatide 10mg before increasing to 12.5mg?
NHS and clinical guidance recommends at least 4 weeks on the 10mg dose before escalating further. Your prescriber will assess your tolerance to side effects, your weight loss progress, and your overall health at each stage before increasing dose.
Can I get tirzepatide 10mg through my GP?
Not directly — tirzepatide is prescribed through specialist tier 3 weight management services, not standard GP practice. Your GP can refer you, but the specialist service manages your dosing and escalation once you're accepted onto the programme.
What side effects should I expect at the 10mg dose?
Side effects are similar across all tirzepatide doses but may be more noticeable at higher doses. Common ones include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and reduced appetite. Most settle within a few weeks. Seek urgent medical attention for severe stomach pain, as this could indicate pancreatitis.
Is tirzepatide 10mg the maximum dose in the UK?
No — the maximum licensed dose is 15mg weekly. After 10mg, the escalation pathway continues through 12.5mg (weeks 17–20) and then 15mg (week 21 onwards), depending on tolerance and response. Your prescriber will decide if further escalation is appropriate for you.
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.