How to Get Mounjaro® Online in the U.K.
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is gaining popularity in the world of weight loss medication, and for good reason. Originally developed as a medicine for type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro® is a highly effective weight loss injection.
But how do you get Mounjaro® in the United Kingdom? And is it possible to get it via the NHS (National Health Service)?
Keep reading to learn about Mounjaro® access in the U.K. We’ll cover how to get prescribed Mounjaro® through the NHS and privately, plus alternative weight loss treatments to consider.
What Is Mounjaro®?
Mounjaro® is the brand name for tirzepatide, a once-weekly injectable medication developed by Eli Lilly. It’s a prescription-only medicine that comes in a pre-filled pen.
Mounjaro® acts as a dual agonist for both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. This means it mimics two hormones that occur naturally in the body, GLP-1 and GIP.
Mounjaro® works by:
Increasing insulin production after meals
Regulating blood sugar levels (glucose)
Suppressing appetite and cravings
Slowing gastric emptying (how quickly the stomach empties after eating)
When combined with a healthy diet and exercise, taking Mounjaro® may lead to significant weight loss. A randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial called SURMOUNT‑1 involved 2,539 adults without diabetes. The participants were given tirzepatide or a placebo for 72 weeks. Those given tirzepatide lost an average of 15 percent of their starting body weight by the end of the trial.
You can also explore a deeper overview of how Mounjaro® works for weight loss if you’d like to understand the full science behind its effects.
In November 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised Mounjaro® for treating obesity and weight management. Tirzepatide is also the active ingredient in Zepbound®, another branded weight loss medication. While Zepbound® is available in the United States, it’s not licensed in the U.K. yet.
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Who Qualifies for Mounjaro® in the U.K.?
To be eligible for Mounjaro®, you’ll need to meet certain body mass index (BMI) requirements.
The criteria for access through the NHS are quite strict, partly due to funding and supply concerns. The NHS access criteria are determined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
NHS criteria for Mounjaro®:
Aged 18 or over
BMI of at least 35 (or at least 32.5 for certain minority ethnic groups)
At least one weight-related health condition, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, or sleep apnoea
Must be enrolled in a specialist NHS weight management service (tier 3)
Since these services often have strict criteria, long waiting times, and limited availability, many people opt for private treatment. The NHS is rolling out Mounjaro® gradually over 12 years, so availability varies significantly by region.
Private prescription criteria for Mounjaro®:
Aged 18 or over
BMI of at least 30 (or at least 27 with a weight-related health condition)
Most people accessing Mounjaro® in the U.K. do so through private health clinics due to the NHS’s strict referral and eligibility process.
Meeting the BMI criteria doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get a Mounjaro® prescription. Before prescribing tirzepatide, your healthcare provider will consider your personal medical profile, family medical history, and current medications.
How to Get Mounjaro® With NHS
Let’s look at the details of how to access Mounjaro® through the NHS:
Firstly, you’ll need to make an appointment with a GP (general practitioner). Your GP will do a medical assessment and offer lifestyle advice.
If you meet the NICE criteria, your GP might refer you to a tier‑3 weight management service available in your area.
Tier-3 services include multidisciplinary team (MDT) support. This means you’ll likely see a dietitian and therapist to support your weight loss efforts.
After 12 weeks, if you haven’t lost enough body weight, you might be offered Mounjaro® or another weight loss medicine.
Although accessing Mounjaro® through the NHS has the clear benefit of no private fees, it also has disadvantages:
You have to meet stricter criteria to qualify for weight loss medications through the NHS.
Waiting lists can be very long for treatment.
There’s limited regional availability for certain medicines.
For this reason, you might want to consider getting Mounjaro® privately if you can afford it.
How to Get Mounjaro® Privately in the U.K.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can access Mounjaro® via a private healthcare provider — including online platforms like Hers U.K.
Here’s how it works:
Fill out a quick online assessment covering your BMI, medical history, and weight loss goals.
A U.K.-licensed healthcare professional will review your answers and contact you about the next steps.
You’ll receive a personalised plan with Mounjaro® or another medicine (if appropriate), along with guidance on physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet.
Your Mounjaro® injection pen will be delivered discreetly and quickly.
If necessary, you can make a follow-up appointment with your care team to discuss issues such as dose increases, how to inject Mounjaro® correctly, and ways to alleviate the common side effects of Mounjaro®.
Getting tirzepatide privately can be quicker and more convenient than going the NHS route, though understanding Mounjaro® cost is an important part of deciding whether private treatment is right for you.
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Do I Qualify for Mounjaro® in the U.K.? A Guide
Here’s a brief table to see whether you’ll be considered for Mounjaro® in the U.K. Note that, even if you fit the BMI criteria, the medicine might not be a good fit for you if you have certain health conditions or are taking medications that may interact with a GLP-1.
BMI | NHS Eligibility | Private Eligibility |
27–29.9 | No | Yes, if you have weight-related health conditions |
30–32.4 | No | Yes |
32.5–34.9 | Yes, if you have a weight-related health condition and are from Black African, African-Caribbean, South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, or Middle Eastern backgrounds | Yes |
≥35 | Yes, if you have a weight-related health condition | Yes |
Who Shouldn’t Use Mounjaro®?
While Mounjaro® is generally safe, it has risks and side effects. Certain people shouldn’t use this medication because it could be harmful or they may have a higher risk of experiencing serious side effects.
Mounjaro® may not be right for you if you:
Are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding. It’s unclear if tirzepatide can harm unborn foetuses or nursing babies.
Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome. Thyroid tumours were seen in rodent studies, although they have not been found in human clinical trials.
Have active or recurrent pancreatitis or kidney disease. Tirzepatide might worsen these conditions.
Are currently taking another GLP-1 receptor agonist medication. For instance, if you’re taking liraglutide or semaglutide, you shouldn’t start tirzepatide.
Have severe gastroparesis or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s). Slower stomach emptying can worsen symptoms of these illnesses.
Have diabetic retinopathy. People with untreated diabetic retinopathy should consult an ophthalmologist.
Take insulin or blood thinners like warfarin. People on these medications may require specialized monitoring.
It’s important to discuss your full medical history with your prescribing clinician so they can determine whether Mounjaro® is suitable for you.
If you’d like a fuller overview of potential risks, you can read more about whether Mounjaro® is safe and how clinicians assess suitability.
How to Qualify for Mounjaro® Alternatives in the U.K.
Can’t get Mounjaro®? There are other weight loss medications available in the U.K., including the daily injection Saxenda® (liraglutide) and the weekly injection Wegovy® (semaglutide). Both liraglutide and semaglutide are GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Here’s generally who might qualify for Saxenda® or Wegovy® in the U.K.
Medicine | NHS Eligibility | Private Eligibility |
Saxenda® (liraglutide) | BMI ≥ 35 (or ≥ 32.5 if you’re a racial minority) and have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia and a risk of cardiovascular disease | BMI ≥ 30 |
Wegovy® (semaglutide) | BMI ≥ 35 (or ≥ 32.5 for people of higher-risk ethnicities) or BMI ≥ 30 (or ≥ 27.5 for people of higher-risk ethnicities) and have a weight‑related health condition | BMI ≥ 30 |
If injectable GLP-1 medications aren’t suitable for you, you could consider other weight loss options, including:
Orlistat (Xenical®), an oral weight loss tablet that partially blocks fat absorption
Oral medication combinations (e.g., metformin, bupropion, naltrexone, and topiramate), which can be prescribed off-licence for weight management
Bariatric surgery for eligible patients
Remember, all weight loss treatments work best when combined with healthy lifestyle changes, like a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.
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In Summary: How to Get Mounjaro® in the U.K.
If you need support with your weight loss efforts, Mounjaro® might be suitable for you. But in order to get a Mounjaro® prescription, you’ll need to meet certain criteria.
Here’s what to know about how to get Mounjaro® online or through other routes in the U.K.:
You can access Mounjaro® through the NHS. However, the NHS has strict criteria for Mounjaro®, plus longer waiting times. If you can afford private care, this might be a more convenient route.
To get Mounjaro® through the NHS, you’ll need BMI of at least 35 kg/m² (that’s your body weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared) or at least 32.5 kg/m² for higher‑risk ethnicities and one or more weight‑related health conditions.
Before accessing weight loss medicine through the NHS, you’ll have to complete a 12‑week tier‑3 programme, which involves getting multidisciplinary support for weight loss.
To get Mounjaro® privately, you’ll need a BMI of at least 30 kg/m² or at least 27 kg/m² with weight-related health conditions.
Different guidance may apply in Scotland (SIGN guidelines), Wales (AWMSG), and Northern Ireland.
Private telehealth platforms like Hers U.K. offer a convenient, fast way to access Mounjaro® — if you meet the criteria. Hers also offers alternatives like Wegovy® and orlistat.
Ready to begin on the path to weight loss? Take the free Hers U.K. assessment to learn more about qualifying for Mounjaro®.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.