The best medicated weight-loss programme in the UK (2026 comparison)

Jump to: Quick comparison table | What to look for | Programme-by-programme breakdown | Medication-only pharmacies | Why weight regain matters | FAQs | Take home message

The UK now has dozens of providers offering GLP-1 weight-loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy, but taking the medication on its own is unlikely to support lasting weight loss.

Research from the SURMOUNT-4 trial shows that 82% of people who stopped tirzepatide regained at least a quarter of the weight they’d lost within a year, even with basic lifestyle advice.¹

These results suggest that while GLP-1 weight-loss medications support significant weight loss, they don’t help us maintain that weight loss when we stop taking them.

To lose weight and keep it off, it’s essential to develop sustainable habits and a healthier lifestyle that will inherently support a lower weight in the long term.

This guide compares the UK’s main medicated weight-loss programmes, including Second Nature, Voy, Juniper, Numan, Piko, and medication-only pharmacies, on the factors that determine long-term results: clinical evidence, professional support, behaviour-change structure, and plans for life after medication.

This guide was written by Second Nature, so it naturally reflects our perspective. We’ve aimed to present each provider’s strengths and limitations fairly, and we’d encourage you to visit each provider’s website before making a decision.

Quick comparison table

*Prices are approximate and based on publicly listed information at the time of writing. They vary by medication, dose, and provider offers, and are subject to change. Always check each provider’s website for current pricing.

What to look for in a medicated weight-loss programme

Before comparing individual providers, it helps to know what actually matters. Based on clinical evidence and real-world outcomes, four factors separate programmes that deliver lasting results from those that don’t.

1. Published clinical evidence

Ask whether a provider can point to peer-reviewed research showing their specific programme works, not just that the medication works in clinical trials.

Every provider benefits from the same GLP-1 trial data. The question is whether their programme adds measurable value beyond the medication.

2. Professional qualifications of support staff

There’s a significant difference between a UK-registered dietitian (regulated by the HCPC) and an unspecified ‘health coach’.

Registered professionals have protected titles, standardised training, and accountability to a regulatory body.

When you’re taking prescription medication that affects appetite, digestion, and nutrient absorption, the qualifications of the person advising you matter.

3. A structured plan for life after medication

Research from the STEP 1 extension trial showed that people who stopped semaglutide regained roughly two-thirds of the weight they’d lost within a year.² The SURMOUNT-4 trial found similar patterns with tirzepatide.¹

Any programme worth paying for should have a clear, structured approach to helping you build habits that outlast the medication. If the plan is simply ‘keep taking the injection’, that’s not a programme; it’s a subscription.

4. Institutional trust signals

NHS commissioning, CQC registration, and published research in peer-reviewed journals are the strongest indicators that a provider meets clinical governance standards.

Programme-by-programme breakdown

Second Nature

Second Nature has focused exclusively on weight management since 2017. The NHS has commissioned our programmes across 43 ICBs and Health Boards, supporting over 250,000 patients.

Clinical evidence: Our published research in JMIR Formative Research reported an average 19.1% weight loss at 12 months among active subscribers, with 77.7% achieving at least 10% weight loss. Separately, 69% of participants reported no side effects by month 12.³

NHS England’s own evaluation of the Digital Weight Management Programme found Second Nature achieved substantially higher weight loss than other digital providers at 12 months.⁴

Support model: UK-registered dietitians and nutritionists, available five days a week through group and private messaging. All professionals are registered with the HCPC or AfN, trained specifically in GLP-1 medication support, and supervised by senior dietitians.

Behaviour change approach: The programme follows the COM-B model and runs across four phases: Core, Grow, Maintain, and Sustain.⁵ This structured approach is specifically designed to help you build habits that last beyond medication, and includes a tapering protocol for when you’re ready to reduce or stop.

What’s included:

• 300+ recipes designed for weight-loss medications
• Food and mood journals identifying patterns
• Daily educational content (audio or written)
• Habit tracking with behavioural insights
• Medication management with side-effect support
• Peer support groups
• Connected digital scales

Who it suits best: People who want a programme backed by published peer-reviewed evidence, NHS-validated clinical standards, registered dietitian support, and a structured plan for maintaining results after medication.

Voy

Voy launched in 2024 as an expansion of Manual, a men’s health company established in 2018. They’ve grown rapidly to over 100,000 members.

Clinical evidence: Voy reports an average body weight loss of 21.55% over 10 months, based on an internal analysis of nearly 58,000 participants conducted in partnership with Imperial College London. This is a large dataset and a positive step toward clinical validation. However, this research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning it hasn’t undergone independent scrutiny.

Support model: A personal health coach alongside their clinical team, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr Earim Chaudry. Voy also offers an AI-powered assistant (Joy) for day-to-day questions. However, the specific qualifications and regulatory registrations of their coaching staff aren’t publicly detailed.

Behaviour change approach: Voy emphasises behaviour change and reports that members on their programme lose more weight than with medication alone. They don’t publicly reference a named behaviour change framework.

What’s included:

• App with AI-powered meal tracking and progress logging
• Dedicated health coach
• Clinician-led prescribing
• Educational content
• Blood testing is available as an add-on through their Do Health platform
• Wider medication range including Saxenda and Orlistat alongside Mounjaro and Wegovy

Who it suits best: People who want a large, established provider with strong Trustpilot reviews, prefer one-to-one coaching over group support, value a weight-loss guarantee, or want a wider choice of medications.

Juniper

Juniper is part of Eucalyptus, an Australian digital health company that expanded into the UK market. They position themselves as a coaching-led, holistic weight-loss programme.

Clinical evidence: Published peer-reviewed UK outcomes data in the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Support model: A care team including health coaches, with access to clinicians and educational content through their app. They offer a Facebook community group for peer support.

Behaviour change approach: Coaching-focused with educational modules covering nutrition, strength training, and habit formation. Their programme includes a strength and nutrition component designed to maintain muscle during weight loss.

What’s included:

• App with weight tracking, recipes, and coaching
• Care team access
• Structured programme with nutrition and strength training focus
• Facebook community group

Following Mounjaro’s September 2025 price increase, Juniper reduced the price of its Wegovy programme by 25% and offers a 7-day switching protocol (compared to the 28 days most providers require).

Who it suits best: People who want a coaching-led programme with a focus on nutrition and strength training, or those considering switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy following the price increase.

Numan

Numan is a UK-based digital health company that started in men’s health (hair loss, erectile dysfunction) and expanded into weight management.

Clinical evidence: Numan reports that members who engaged with their coaching and mobile app lost more weight than those taking medication alone over a 90-day period. However, there are no programme-specific published outcomes in peer-reviewed journals.

Support model: Health coaches and clinicians through their app-based platform. Numan doesn’t publicly specify the clinical credentials of their coaching team or their specific training in weight-loss medication support.

What’s included:

• App with tracking tools
• Clinical support
• Access to health coaches
• Medication management
• Discreet delivery

Who it suits best: People who prefer a straightforward, well-known telehealth service with clear medication pricing and app-based support, particularly those already using Numan for other health services.

Piko

Piko is a Portuguese company and is a newer entrant to the UK market, positioning itself as a premium, data-driven medical weight-loss programme.

Clinical evidence: Piko has no published programme-specific clinical outcomes in peer-reviewed journals.

Support model: Medical team with clinician-led oversight and app-based daily guidance. They emphasise their community element and regular doctor reviews.

What’s included:

• 100+ biomarker blood tests to build a personalised health plan
• App-driven daily engagement with tracking and tailored guidance
• Peer community support
• Regular doctor reviews
• 30-day money-back guarantee on the programme fee (T&Cs apply)

Their key differentiator is the inclusion of comprehensive blood testing. This goes beyond what most other programmes offer in terms of diagnostics.

Who it suits best: People who want comprehensive blood testing and diagnostics as part of their weight-loss programme, and who value a data-driven approach to health beyond just weight loss.

Medication-only pharmacies

Services such as Boots, Pharmacy2U, Simple Online Pharmacy, and Asda Online Doctor focus on prescribing and dispensing the medication, with limited ongoing programme support.

They typically offer an online clinical questionnaire, prescriber review, and dispensing. Some provide basic follow-up or educational articles, but there’s no structured coaching, behaviour change programme, or ongoing professional support.

Pricing: Generally, the cheapest option, particularly at lower doses. Prices vary significantly between pharmacies and change frequently. Community sites like Monj track pricing across 60+ GPhC-registered pharmacies in real time.

Who it suits best: Confident, self-motivated individuals who have solid nutrition knowledge, are comfortable managing side effects independently, and primarily want access to the medication at the lowest cost.

This can be a reasonable choice if you don’t need structured support, but it’s worth being honest about whether you’ll actually build lasting habits without it, given the weight regain data.

Why weight regain matters more than weight loss

Most comparison articles focus on how much weight you’ll lose, but the more important question is whether you’ll keep it off.

The SURMOUNT-4 trial found that people who stopped tirzepatide regained an average of 14% of their body weight within a year, even with basic lifestyle counselling.¹

The STEP 1 extension trial showed a similar pattern with semaglutide, with roughly two-thirds of lost weight regained within a year of stopping.²

This doesn’t mean medication is a lifelong commitment for everyone. But it does mean that a programme’s approach to habit formation, behaviour change, and structured medication tapering is arguably more important than its month-one price.

Second Nature’s four-phase programme (Core, Grow, Maintain, Sustain) is specifically designed around this challenge. Our published research shows that our members achieve lasting results, with registered dietitians supporting them through every stage of the process, including medication transitions.³

If preventing weight regain is your priority, look for a provider that can explain exactly how they’ll help you build habits that outlast the medication, and ideally, one that can back that up with published data.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth paying for a programme, or should I just buy the pen from a pharmacy?

It depends on your situation. If you have strong nutritional knowledge, a solid exercise routine, and experience managing your health independently, a pharmacy-only service may work well, and it’ll be cheaper.

But if you’ve struggled with weight management before, find it hard to maintain habits long-term, or want professional support while taking prescription medication, a structured programme is likely a better investment.

The medication reduces appetite, but it doesn’t teach you how to eat well, manage stress-related eating, or build an exercise routine. That’s what programmes are designed to do.

The price difference between a pharmacy and a programme is typically £50–£150 per month. Whether that’s worth it depends on whether you’d regain the weight without the support, and the research suggests most people do.²

What happens when I stop taking Mounjaro or Wegovy? Will I regain the weight?

Possibly, but it’s not inevitable. The SURMOUNT-4 trial showed significant weight regain after stopping tirzepatide, with 82% of participants regaining at least a quarter of their lost weight.¹ The STEP 1 extension found similar results with semaglutide.²

However, these trials provided only basic lifestyle advice alongside the medication. Programmes that actively build habits, address the psychological drivers of overeating, and offer structured tapering protocols may produce better maintenance outcomes.

The most important thing is to have a plan before you stop. Abrupt discontinuation is the worst approach. Gradual dose reduction under clinical supervision, combined with established eating and exercise habits, gives you the best chance of keeping the weight off.

Which programme has the strongest clinical evidence?

Second Nature is the only provider in this comparison with peer-reviewed, published clinical outcomes specific to their programme. Our JMIR Formative Research study reported an average weight loss of 19.1% at 12 months, with 77.7% achieving at least 10% weight loss.³

Voy has the next strongest evidence base. Their internal analysis with Imperial College London includes nearly 58,000 participants and reports an average weight loss of 21.55% over 10 months. However, this hasn’t yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning it hasn’t undergone independent scrutiny.

Numan and Piko don’t currently have programme-specific published outcomes. They reference broader clinical trial data for the medications themselves, which applies equally to all providers prescribing those medications.

How much does Mounjaro cost through each provider?

Prices vary significantly by dose and change frequently, particularly since Eli Lilly’s September 2025 wholesale price increase. As a rough guide at the time of writing:

• Programme providers (Second Nature, Voy, Juniper, Numan, Piko): typically ~£99–£359 per month depending on the medication, dose, and what’s included
• Medication-only pharmacies: typically ~£120–£295 per month depending on dose and provider

The cheapest headline price isn’t always the cheapest total cost. Some providers advertise low starting prices but charge more at higher doses, or add fees for consultations, delivery, or extras. Compare the total monthly cost at the dose you’re likely to need, not just the introductory price.

Community comparison sites like Monj track real-time pricing across 60+ UK pharmacies, so you can get an up-to-date breakdown.

Can I switch from another provider to Second Nature?

Yes. We’ll review your medical history and current medication to ensure a safe transition. A 7-day gap between your last prescription from your previous provider and your first Second Nature prescription is usually recommended.

Many members join Second Nature after starting with other providers, often because they want more structured behaviour change support alongside their medication. You won’t need to restart from 2.5 mg; your current dose and treatment history are carried over.

Will my provider keep prescribing once I reach a healthy BMI?

No, you’re able continue using the medication as long as you’re able to maintain a healthy weight. Still, if you reach your weight loss goal but continue to lose weight, your prescriber may recommend you stop taking the medication to ensure your weight doesn’t drop too low.

What qualifications should I look for in the support team?

At a minimum, look for professionals with protected titles and regulatory registration. UK-registered dietitians are regulated by the HCPC, and registered nutritionists are regulated by the AfN. Both require degree-level education, ongoing professional development, and accountability to a regulatory body.

‘Health coach’ is not a protected title in the UK, and anyone can use it regardless of their training. This doesn’t mean all health coaches are unqualified, but it does mean you can’t verify their expertise through a regulatory body.

If a provider doesn’t publicly detail the qualifications of its support staff, it’s reasonable to ask about them before joining.

Should I switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy after the price increase?

This is worth discussing with your prescriber. Following Eli Lilly’s September 2025 wholesale price increase, Mounjaro costs have risen across all private providers. Some providers, like Juniper, have responded by reducing their Wegovy pricing.

In clinical trials, both medications produce substantial weight loss, up to 20.9% with Mounjaro at its highest dose and up to 20.7% with the highest dose of Wegovy.^6,7

The choice between them should be based on clinical suitability, not just price, as some people respond better to one than the other. Your prescriber can advise based on your medical history and treatment response.

Can I get Mounjaro on the NHS for weight loss?

NHS availability is expanding but remains limited. Following NICE approval, Mounjaro is being rolled out through specialist weight management services, but eligibility criteria are strict, typically requiring a BMI of 40+ (or 37.5+ for certain ethnic backgrounds) with multiple weight-related health conditions.

In practice, most people seeking Mounjaro for weight loss currently access it through private providers. If you think you might qualify for NHS access, speak to your GP about referral options in your area.

How do I check if a provider is legitimate and safe?

The MHRA has issued warnings about counterfeit Mounjaro pens in the UK, so it’s important to verify the provider’s credentials.

Check that your provider’s pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC); you can search the register on the GPhC website. Prescribers should be registered with the GMC (doctors), NMC (nurses), or GPhC (pharmacist prescribers).

Be cautious of any provider offering Mounjaro without a proper medical assessment, at prices significantly below the market range, or through social media marketplaces.

Mounjaro comes in a branded Eli Lilly KwikPen, and the medication is identical regardless of which legitimate provider dispenses it.

Take home message

Every programme in this comparison prescribes effective medication. The weight loss from GLP-1 injections is well-established in clinical trials, and you’ll lose weight with any legitimate provider.

But the difference is whether your chosen provider will support you keep the weight off in the long term, if you choose to come off the medication in the future.

Two-thirds of people who stop GLP-1 medication without structured behaviour change support regain most of the weight within a year.²

That means the programme around the medication, the habits you build, the professional support you receive, and the plan for when you eventually reduce or stop are what determine whether your results last.

Second Nature is the only provider in this comparison with published peer-reviewed outcomes, NHS commissioning since 2017, support from registered dietitians, and a structured four-phase programme specifically designed for life after medication. If preventing weight regain is your priority, that combination is difficult to match.

But the right choice depends on what matters most to you. If you value a weight-loss guarantee, Voy offers one. If you want comprehensive blood testing, Piko includes it.

If you’re confident in your ability to manage independently and want the lowest cost, a pharmacy-only service may be all you need.

Whatever you choose, make sure you understand the provider’s plan for when you stop. That’s the part that matters most.

References

1. Aronne, L.J., et al. (2024). Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction in adults with obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 331(1), 38-48.
2. Wilding, J.P.H., et al. (2022). Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 24(8), 1553-1564.
3. Richards, R., et al. (2025). A Remotely Delivered, Semaglutide-Supported Weight Management Program: 12-Month Outcomes. JMIR Formative Research, 9(1), e72577.
4. Ross, J.A.D., et al. (2022). Uptake and impact of the English National Health Service digital diabetes prevention programme. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 10(3), e002736.
5. Michie, S., van Stralen, M.M. & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation Science, 6, 42.
6. Jastreboff, A.M., et al. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216.
7. Wilding, J.P.H., et al. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002.