What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a once-a-week injection. The MHRA approved it for type 2 diabetes in September 2022, and for weight management in November 2023.6
In the UK, it’s sold as Mounjaro for both conditions, whereas in the U.S., the weight-loss version is called Zepbound.
Mounjaro mimics two appetite hormones rather than one. It mimics GLP-1, which prompts the body to release more insulin after eating and reduces hunger, and GIP, which adds to that effect on blood sugar and appetite.7
That dual-hormone action is what sets it apart from medications like Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), which mimic GLP-1 alone.
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, people taking the highest dose of Mounjaro, 15 mg, lost an average of 22.5% of their body weight over 72 weeks, about 1 to 2 percentage points more than the 20.7% seen with Wegovy 7.2 mg in its STEP UP trial.7,8
NHS eligibility criteria
If you’re living with type 2 diabetes
Under NICE guidance (TA924), you may qualify for NHS Mounjaro if your type 2 diabetes isn’t well controlled despite metformin and at least two other diabetes medications, or those aren’t suitable for you.1
You’ll also need either a BMI of 35 or above with other health problems linked to your weight, or a BMI below 35 where insulin would cause significant problems for your job, or where losing weight would help other weight-related conditions.1
Your team will usually continue the medication only if, after 6 months, your HbA1c (a measure of your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months) has fallen by at least 1% and you’ve lost at least 3% of your body weight.1
If you’re living with obesity
Under NICE guidance (TA1026), the NHS route for obesity is for adults with a BMI of 35 or above and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnoea.2
Because of the phased rollout, GPs are starting with those with the greatest clinical need, so a higher BMI or several weight-related conditions are likely to be prioritised first.3
For people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean backgrounds, the BMI thresholds are usually lowered by 2.5, so 32.5 instead of 35.2
Where you live changes your access
In England, GP prescribing for obesity began on 23rd June 2025 and is being phased in over up to 12 years.3
Scotland was the first UK nation to approve Mounjaro for obesity, with the Scottish Medicines Consortium accepting it in June 2024 for adults with a BMI of 30 or above and a weight-related condition, a lower threshold than England’s.4
In Wales, NICE guidance applies, but a clear NHS route through GPs is still being developed, with the Welsh Government confirming a new obesity pathway in late 2025.3
In Northern Ireland, Mounjaro isn’t yet routinely available through the health service for obesity, with a phased introduction planned over several years.3
Mounjaro cost in the UK
If you qualify for Mounjaro on the NHS, you’ll pay the standard prescription charge of £9.90 per item in England, and nothing in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, where prescriptions are free.
The harder part is usually qualifying for and accessing NHS treatment, rather than the prescription charge itself.
Privately, Mounjaro typically costs between £150 a month at the lowest dose and £300-£375 a month at the 15 mg dose, depending on the provider.
Prices rose after Eli Lilly increased Mounjaro’s UK list price in September 2025, which made Wegovy the more affordable option for many people.
| Aspect |
NHS pathway |
Private pathway |
| Eligibility |
Type 2 diabetes, or a BMI of 35 or above with a weight-related condition, through the phased rollout |
A BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition (varies by provider) |
| Assessment |
GP or specialist diabetes or weight-management team |
Online or in-person consultation with a prescriber |
| Waiting time |
Variable, and often several months or longer while the rollout is phased in |
Often 1 to 2 weeks |
| Cost |
£9.90 per item in England, free elsewhere in the UK |
Around £150 to £375 a month, depending on the dose |
| Support included |
NHS reviews, with wraparound care for at least 9 months in the obesity rollout |
Varies by provider, from medication only to full habit-change programmes |
Mounjaro side effects
The most common side effects of Mounjaro are digestive, and they affect more than 1 in 10 people.6
These include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, and reduced appetite. They’re usually mild to moderate, most likely while your dose is being increased, and tend to ease as your body adjusts.6
Less common effects include indigestion, dizziness, gallbladder problems, and hair thinning, which some people report after a few months.6
Rarer but more serious risks include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and dehydration that can affect the kidneys, so it’s worth staying well hydrated and speaking to your prescriber if you have severe or lasting stomach pain.6
Mounjaro can also make the contraceptive pill less effective, especially in the first weeks and after each dose increase.6
If you take the pill, use a barrier method such as condoms, or a non-oral method such as the coil or implant, for 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.6
Mounjaro isn’t recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.6
Private prescription options
If you don’t qualify for NHS Mounjaro, or you’d rather not wait for the rollout to reach you, a private prescription is the main alternative.
Private services vary a lot in what they include. Some offer the medication with a basic online screening, while others combine it with ongoing clinical care and structured support.
When you’re comparing providers, it’s worth checking that the service:
- Is registered with the Care Quality Commission, and dispenses through a pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Gives you a proper clinical assessment, not just a quick online form
- Provides ongoing monitoring and a named person to contact between prescriptions
- Is clear about pricing, with no hidden fees
- Offers support to help you maintain your weight loss, not just the medication
Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over eight years, combining Mounjaro or Wegovy with one-to-one support from registered dietitians designed to help you keep the weight off.
Take our 3-minute eligibility quiz, and a clinician will review your answers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mounjaro available on the NHS?
Yes. Mounjaro is available on the NHS in England for people living with type 2 diabetes who meet the criteria in NICE guidance TA924, and for a limited number of people living with obesity under TA1026.1,2
Access varies across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which set their own rules.3,4
Who qualifies for Mounjaro on the NHS for obesity?
In England, the NHS route for obesity is for adults with a BMI of 35 or above and at least one weight-related condition, with thresholds lowered by 2.5 for several ethnic groups.2
Because the rollout is phased, GPs are starting with those who have the greatest clinical need, so a higher BMI is likely to be prioritised first.3
Can my GP prescribe Mounjaro?
GPs in England can prescribe Mounjaro for obesity since the rollout began on 23rd June 2025, but only within their local allocation and starting with the highest-need patients.3
Our guide to getting Mounjaro on the NHS covers the pathway and what to ask your GP.
How long is the wait for NHS Mounjaro?
There’s no single national waiting list. Local NHS teams and Integrated Care Boards manage their own allocations, so waits vary widely depending on where you live and local capacity.3
Can I get Mounjaro on the NHS in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?
In Scotland, yes, for adults with a BMI of 30 or above and a weight-related condition, following the Scottish Medicines Consortium’s 2024 decision.4
In Wales a clear NHS route is still being developed, and in Northern Ireland it isn’t yet routinely available for obesity, with a phased introduction planned.3
Can I switch from Ozempic to Mounjaro on the NHS?
It’s possible if your diabetes team decides Mounjaro is more clinically appropriate for you.
This is a decision to make with the clinician managing your diabetes, based on your blood sugar control, weight, and response to other medications.
How much does private Mounjaro cost in 2026?
Privately, Mounjaro costs from around £150 a month at the lowest dose to £300 to £375 a month at the 15 mg dose.
Prices increased after Eli Lilly raised its UK list price in September 2025.
What are the main side effects of Mounjaro?
The most common are digestive, including nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, and reduced appetite, affecting more than 1 in 10 people.6
They’re usually mild to moderate, most likely while the dose is being increased, and tend to ease as your body adjusts.6
Are weight-loss injections addictive?
Weight-loss injections aren’t inherently addictive.
However, as they reduce hunger and quieten food noise, it may feel challenging to come off them in the future if you haven’t developed the habits to manage hunger naturally.
In that situation, some people may feel dependent on the medication to manage their weight.
But obesity is a chronic condition, and many people may need to be on these medications for the long term to help them manage it.
Take home message
Mounjaro is now available on the NHS for some people living with type 2 diabetes and, through a phased rollout, for a limited number of people living with obesity who have the greatest clinical need.
Whether you can access it depends on which criteria you meet and where in the UK you live, with Scotland using a lower BMI threshold than England, and Wales and Northern Ireland further behind.
If you don’t qualify, or you’d rather not wait, a private prescription is an option.
It’s worth choosing a CQC-registered provider that provides a thorough clinical assessment and ongoing care, rather than one that simply dispenses medication.
Mounjaro works best alongside changes to how you eat and move. We recommend eating a diet based on whole foods that contains enough protein, fibre, fat, and complex carbohydrates and limits ultra-processed foods.
The research suggests that you’re more likely to avoid weight regain when Mounjaro is combined with structured habit-change support than when it’s prescribed on its own.
Second Nature combines Mounjaro or Wegovy with the balanced-plate approach and one-to-one support from registered dietitians.
In our published evaluation of a GLP-1-supported programme, members lost an average of 19.1% of their body weight at 12 months, with 77.7% losing at least 10%.9
Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes
Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
