NHS Weight Loss Injections

Is Ozempic licensed for weight loss on the NHS?

Ozempic is not licensed for weight loss on the NHS (it is a type 2 diabetes drug)

What does the NHS offer for obesity?

For obesity, the NHS offers Wegovy through specialist weight-management services and, since 23 June 2025, Mounjaro through GPs

How do Wegovy, Oxempic and Mounjaro work?

Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro are weight loss injections designed to help manage obesity by mimicking hormones that suppress appetite

What is Ozempic?

• Ozempic is a brand name for semaglutide, a prescription medication primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes

• It works at a hormonal receptor, known as the GLP-1 receptor, which signals our body and brain to feel full, or satiated

• Ozempic works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone - glucagon-like peptide-1

• It also triggers insulin release from the pancreas, which allows glucose to enter the body’s cells, reducing blood glucose levels

• These mechanisms aid weight loss

Can you get Ozempic on the NHS for weight loss?

• Semaglutide branded under Ozempic is not licensed for use as a weight loss drug in the UK

• It is only licensed for use in diabetic patients

What is Wegovy?

• Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, which is specifically approved for weight management in the UK.

• It is a once-weekly weight loss injection, which when combined with a healthy diet and exercise can increase weight loss

• It can be used for a maximum of 2 years

• It is available via prescription for those meeting specific criteria set by the National Insitute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Is Wegovy available in the UK?

• Wegovy is available in the UK.

• It is now available on the NHS for patients who meet the eligibility criteria set by NICE.

• Wegovy is licensed for adults struggling with obesity and weight-related health conditions

To be prescribed Wegovy on the NHS, patients must meet the following criteria

• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or above, with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.

• BMI of 30 or above (in certain cases), if referred to specialist weight management services.

• Individuals from some ethnic minority backgrounds may qualify with a lower BMI due to differing health risks associated with weight

It must be prescribed alongside …

reduced-calorie diet, exercise, and behavioural support.

How does Wegovy work?

• Like Ozempic, Wegovy works by mimicking the action of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate appetite and increases feelings of fullness.

• Reducing hunger and slowing down stomach emptying help patients consume fewer calories and support weight loss.

What is Mounjaro?

• Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a prescription primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes, and more recently, to aid weight loss

Is Mounjaro available on the NHS in the UK?

• Mounjaro is currently licensed for weight loss in adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or for those with a BMI of 27+ who have weight-related health problems

• Recommended for both weight management + type 2 diabetes

• the NHS began prescribing it for obesity through GPs from 23 June 2025

• It can be bought privately

• NHS = prioritised patients during a phased rollout

First eligible cohort

The first eligible cohort is broadly those with a BMI of 40 or more and at least four weight-related conditions, with a lower BMI threshold for several ethnic groups

It still requires

It still requires a prescription and wraparound diet, activity and behavioural support, and cannot be bought over the counter

How does Mounjaro work?

• Like Ozempic and Wegovy, Mounjaro works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that suppresses appetite and slows digestion.

• However, Mounjaro also targets a second hormone, GIP, which helps to regulate energy balance and further enhances weight loss.

• This dual action makes Mounjaro more effective in promoting weight loss than drugs targeting GLP-1 alone

Ozempic vs Mounjaro

• Active Ingredients

• Effectiveness

• Availability

Active Ingredients

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which targets both GLP-1 and GIP, giving it a dual mechanism of action.

Effectiveness

Studies suggest that Mounjaro may be more effective for weight loss due to its dual hormonal action

Availability

• Wegovy is available through specialist (Tier 3/4) weight-management services for those meeting NICE criteria

• Mounjaro is now available on the NHS through GPs under a phased rollout that began on 23 June 2025, starting with the highest-risk patients

• Wegovy = specialist services

• Mounjaro = being phased out slowly to protect NHS capacity

To qualify for weight loss drugs on the NHS, you must meet the following criteria

• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or more and at least one weight-related health condition, such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease

• In exceptional cases, individuals with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 and a weight-related comorbidity can also qualify

• People from certain ethnic backgrounds may qualify at a lower BMI threshold due to increased health risks associated with obesity

NOTE

Weight loss drugs are prescribed alongside a programme of diet, exercise, and behavioural support, and are generally only prescribed for up to two years

semaglutide tablets

Wegovy and Mounjaro Effectiveness

• Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy users can achieve up to a 15% reduction in body weight after a year of treatment.

• Mounjaro has demonstrated even higher weight loss potential in some studies, with users experiencing up to 20% body weight reduction in clinical trials

• Used alongside a healthy diet and exercise plan

Counterfeit Mounjaro and Wegovy pens

• Unsafe, unregulated and counterfeit products are sold via social media, beauty salons and unverified websites

• Genuine UK Pharmacies do not accept payment by bank transfer or cryptocurrency

• Regulators have also criticised questionnaire-only online services that hand out prescriptions without a proper clinical assessment or follow-up

Are weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are available privately in the UK?

• Yes

• Only purchase from regulated sources

Common Side Effects of Wegovy and Mounjaro

• Nausea and vomiting

• Bloating and indigestion

• Constipation or diarrhoea

• Fatigue

• Mild hair loss

Rare + Serious Side Effects

gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, or kidney problems may occur

What happens when you stop taking the weight-loss drugs?

• Risk that patients may regain the weight they lost

• Normal hunger and cravings return

• To help prevent weight regain, it is essential to maintain the healthy eating habits, exercise routines, and lifestyle changes

Ethical Considerations of Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic

• Access and Equality

• Medicalisation of Obesity

• Long-term safety and dependency

Access and Equality

• These treatments are often only accessible through specialist weight management services, creating a disparity between those who can access the NHS and those who can afford private prescriptions

• People who cannot afford private prescription = don’t have access

• this could encourage people to try and purchase weight loss medications online through unregulated suppliers, putting them at risk

• The availability of private options may further widen health disparities, especially among ethnic minorities, who may already face increased health risks associated with obesity but are less likely to have access to private care

• Justice and equality - not everyone who will benefit form this treatment can access it

Medicalisation of Obesity

• relying on weight loss drugs could lead to the over-medicalisation of obesity, shifting the focus away from tackling the root causes like unhealthy diets, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors

• Lifestyle changes should be prioritised as opposed to viewing medications as a ‘quick-fix’

• money spent on injections could instead support population-level measures such as the sugar tax and wider food policy, which aim to prevent obesity rather than treat it once established

Long-term Safety and Dependency

While effective, there are concerns about the long-term safety of these drugs and the risk of developing a dependency

It is known that patients may regain weight after stopping the medication, particularly if lifestyle changes are not upheld.

This could create a life long reliance on medication