Weight-loss injections

Posted by: melaniemaddock - Posted on:

Some people with the highest clinical need may be prescribed weight loss injections on the NHS for managing obesity. Your GP can refer you to weight management services if you are eligible. The services will assess you for consideration of weight-loss injections or other treatments such as diet and exercise programmes or bariatric surgery.

How the medication works

Tirzepatide and other medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy®), liraglutide (Saxenda®) mimic gut hormones released by the body after eating, telling the brain you are full. They also slow down the time it takes the stomach to empty. You can find out more about weight-loss injections including the risks and benefits.

Please note, the use of these medicines is not a quick fix to lose weight and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has not assessed the safety and effectiveness of these medicines when used by people who do not meet the medical requirements.

Wrap-around care services

If you are prescribed weight-loss injections on the NHS, you must participate in a specifically designed ‘wrap-around’ care service, as stipulated under National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. This focuses on diet, nutrition and increasing physical activity. You cannot be prescribed weight-loss injections if you do not wish to get the wrap-around care support.

Eligibility for tirzepatide (Mounjaro)

From the end of June 2025, for one year, the people below may be eligible to receive tirzepatide (Mounjaro) on the NHS. This is to ensure patients at greatest risk become eligible first: 

People with at least 4 of the following 5 health conditions plus a BMI of at least 40 (BMI to be adjusted for ethnicity*)

  • type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • high blood pressure
  • heart disease
  • obstructive sleep apnoea (when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep)
  • abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia)

*Due to an increased risk of heath conditions at lower BMI thresholds in the following populations, the BMI used to assess eligibility for tirzepatide will be 2.5 kg/m2 lower for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds.

You can calculate your BMI to see if you may be eligible but a full assessment will be done through the weight management service.