Is tirzepatide available on the NHS?

These days, you can barely turn on your TV or scroll through social media without hearing about the latest weight loss drug that's taking the industry by storm.

Undoubtedly, these pharmaceutical interventions can be life-changing for those who have previously struggled to lose weight through traditional avenues. However, amidst the cost of living crisis, it may feel challenging to justify spending money on a medication that you're not 100% sure will work for you.

One medication that may be on your radar is tirzepatide, which is approved in the UK and Ireland for weight loss. But, you may be wondering — how exactly does the weight loss drug work, how much does it cost, and is tirzepatide covered on the NHS?

To help you make an informed decision, here are all the key facts you need to know about this promising medication.

What is tirzepatide?

Sold under the brand name Mounjaro, tirzepatide is the active ingredient in a medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and excess weight.

Unlike some other daily weight loss medications like liraglutide, it's administered by subcutaneous injection (under the skin) once per week. Manufactured by US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co., it's part of a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists.

These mimic hormones secreted by the intestine that prompt insulin production after a meal. In people with type 2 diabetes, this helps to regulate blood sugar levels — leading to better metabolic control and weight management.

However, even in people without diabetes, these medications reduce appetite by slowing down the amount of time it takes the stomach to empty, and sending signals of satiety to the brain [1].

Many also find that it can help eliminate some of the mental 'noise' around food, which helps them make healthier decisions, effortlessly.

Tirzepatide is also known as a 'twincretin', as it is one of the only medications that work on 2 incretin hormones — glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP).

This dual-action effect has been found to significantly reduce glycemic levels and improve insulin sensitivity and improve lipid metabolism [2].

How effective is tirzepatide (Mounjaro)?

Several clinical trials suggest that when combined with a reduced-calorie diet, tirzepatide is one of the most effective treatments on the market for weight loss.

In one study, overweight and obese adults were put on either tirzepatide or a placebo for 72 weeks. 57% of participants in the 10 mg and 15 mg groups saw a reduction in body fat of 20% or more, compared to just 3% in the placebo group [3].

In another trial, tirzepatide was compared to semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy).

At 40 weeks, the average reduction in body weight with tirzepatide at the maximum dose of 15 mg was 11.2 kg, compared to 5.7 kg with semaglutide [4]. Plus, tirzepatide achieved a greater reduction in weight-related health problems, such as glycated hemoglobin levels.

However, more recent data has showed that patients on the highest possible dose of Wegovy lost up to 20.7% of their body weight [10], compared to 20.9% with Mounjaro at its highest dose [11] — showing that both can be highly effective when used consistently and with the right support.

Plus, Wegovy is often more affordable than Mounjaro, making it more favourable for ongoing weight management.

What are the most common side effects of tirzepatide?

Like any medication, tirzepatide comes with a range of potential side effects you should be aware of [5]. These include:

• Stomach issues including nausea and bloating
• Vomiting
• Acid reflux
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Mild allergic reaction at the site of injection

Other, more serious side effects include:

• Severe digestive issues, which may lead to kidney dysfunction
• Pancreatitis

If you notice any side effects while taking tirzepatide, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider. They will be able to work with you to find more appropriate treatment options.

Who's eligible for tirzepatide (Mounjaro)?

According to the MHRA, Mounjaro can be administered to adults with type 2 diabetes, and obese patients with a BMI (body mass index) of over 30 [7].

In some cases, it can also be prescribed to overweight patients with a BMI between 27 and 30 if they have another weight-related condition including high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and health problems. These are the guidelines followed for eligbility in the Juniper Programme.

Can you get tirzepatide through the NHS for weight loss?

If you've been Googling 'tirzepatide UK NHS' to find out whether you can access it, you're in luck. Mounjaro is now available on the NHS for weight loss, and can be prescribed by GPs.

However, access is limited and the eligibility criteria is incredibly strict. As such, officials are asking people to not approach their GPs about the weight loss medication unless they meet the criteria.

The initial rollout of Mounjaro on the NHS is planned to reach 220,000 people over 3 years. To be eligible to receive Mounjaro from a GP or community clinic over the next 3 years, the person must meet the following criteria:

Year 1

• BMI ≥ 40 (or ≥ 37.5 for some ethnic groups)
• 4 or more weight-related comorbidities (e.g. type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea)‍

‍Year 2

• BMI 35 to 39.9
• Still require 4 or more co-morbidities‍

‍‍Year 3

• BMI ≥ 40
• 3 or more co-morbidities

A full rollout is planned over 8 further years, eventually covering patients with BMI ≥ 35 and at least one comorbidity.

How to know if tirzepatide/Mounjaro is right for your weight loss journey

For many, weight loss medications like Mounjaro can be life-changing — especially if they've attempted to lose weight through diet and lifestyle changes, to no avail.

It's also important to note that not all weight loss drugs are created equal. One person may experience zero side effects when starting Mounjaro, while others might be better suited to Wegovy.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy

Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are considered the gold standard when it comes to aiding weight loss efforts. Thus far, the two medications haven't been directly compared to each other in medical trials.

It's long been thought that Mounjaro leads to more significant weight loss outcomes than Wegovy but with recent research, that is changing.

In clinical trials, patients on the highest possible dose of Wegovy lost up to 20.7% of their body weight, compared to 20.9% with Mounjaro at its highest dose — showing that both can be highly effective when used consistently and with the right support [10][11]. With Juniper, Wegovy is delivered as part of a complete programme that includes expert care, coaching, and tracking tools — to help you get the most from your treatment.

This higher dose of Wegovy isn’t available just yet, but it’s expected to launch in the UK soon.

Can you switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy?

From 1 September 2025, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro (tirzepatide), will increase its UK list price to align with other developed countries. This nationwide change applies to providers including pharmacies, private clinics, and digital platforms.

In response, we’ve lowered the price of our Wegovy programme by 25%, and we’re making it easier for patients to switch without starting over, so that effective treatment remains within reach for as many people as possible.

So, if you've been wondering if you can switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, the good news is that it's both safe and straightforward.

When making the switch, Juniper patients don’t need to restart at the lowest dose. If clinically appropriate, they can continue at a higher dose aligned with recent treatment history. We also only require a 7-day gap between your last Mounjaro dose and your first Wegovy dose — unlike most providers, who require 28 days.

At Juniper, we make that switch seamless and fully supported — so you can protect your progress without paying more than you need to. Our clinical switching protocol is is simple and safe:

• ‍Review — Your clinician assesses your treatment history and dose tolerance.‍
• Match — If eligible, you start on an equivalent high dose to avoid losing progress.‍
• Transition — Only a 7-day window is required between your last Mounjaro dose and your first Wegovy dose (most providers require 28 days).‍
• Support — Pharmacist check-ins, dose adjustments, and lifestyle guidance keep you on track.

Start your Wegovy switch today →

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