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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Weight Loss After Quitting Alcohol — UK Medication Options
Quitting alcohol is a major health achievement, but many people find they struggle with weight gain during this period. The good news is that if you're overweight or living with obesity, prescription weight loss medication is available in the UK. This guide explains your options through the NHS and private prescribing, how to check eligibility, and what medication-supported weight management might involve. Using our free BMI calculator above, you can assess your current weight status and understand whether you might qualify for prescription support.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
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.
UK Prescription Weight Loss Medications — What's Available?
Three GLP-1 receptor agonist medications are licensed in the UK for weight management: Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Saxenda (liraglutide). These prescription weight loss injections work by helping reduce appetite and food cravings, which can be particularly helpful when rebuilding healthy eating patterns after quitting alcohol.
Mounjaro is a once-weekly dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist. Clinical trials showed participants lost an average of 15–21% of their body weight alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Wegovy is a once-weekly GLP-1 agonist with average weight loss of around 15% in trials. Saxenda is a daily injection option.
All three are prescription-only medicines requiring a clinical assessment before being prescribed. Individual results vary significantly, and medication works best when combined with lifestyle changes—exactly what you're already doing by quitting alcohol and managing weight. Try our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore projected outcomes at different doses.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
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 Prescribing — How to Get Started
NHS route: Referral to a tier 3 specialist weight management service through your GP. NHS eligibility typically requires a BMI of 30 or above, or 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea). Availability and waiting times vary significantly by region.
Private route: Online consultation with a UK-licensed prescriber, available without NHS referral. If clinically appropriate, a prescription is issued and dispensed by a GPhC-registered pharmacy. Costs typically range from £129–£320 per month depending on dose.
Start by speaking with your GP about your weight loss goals and quitting alcohol. They can assess whether prescription weight management is suitable for you, discuss NHS options, or signpost you to private services. Your GP can also help monitor your progress and any health improvements alongside weight loss medication.
- 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.
Will quitting alcohol automatically lead to weight loss?
Quitting alcohol reduces calorie intake, which can support weight loss. However, many people experience temporary weight gain due to changes in metabolism, increased appetite, or eating patterns during withdrawal. If weight becomes a concern, your GP can discuss whether weight loss medication might help alongside lifestyle changes.
Am I eligible for prescription weight loss treatment on the NHS?
NHS eligibility typically requires a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions. Use our free BMI calculator above to check your current BMI, then discuss your results with your GP. They can assess your individual circumstances and refer you to specialist services if appropriate.
How do GLP-1 medications help with weight loss after quitting alcohol?
GLP-1 medications reduce appetite and help you feel fuller on smaller portions—useful when rebuilding healthy eating habits. They don't replace dietary changes or exercise; they support these alongside lifestyle changes, making sustainable weight loss more achievable.
Can I get weight loss injections privately if the NHS waiting list is long?
Yes. Private UK-licensed prescribers offer online consultations and can prescribe Mounjaro, Wegovy, or Saxenda if you're clinically eligible. Treatment is available without NHS referral, though costs apply. Always ensure you use a GPhC-registered pharmacy and a qualified prescriber.
What's the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy for weight loss?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist, typically showing average weight loss of 15–21% in trials. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist only, with average weight loss around 15%. Both are once-weekly injections. Your prescriber will discuss which is most suitable based on your health profile and goals.
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.