Weight Loss Injections

Mounjaro (weight loss injections) - Update for patients

Thinking about Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injections for weight loss? Heard you can now get them from the NHS?

The ICB (Integrated Care Board) have been tasked by NHS England with providing these in GP practices by 23rd June 2025.

But… Only for very specific groups of patients with a number of particular health conditions - estimated to only be a handful of patients in each practice.

And… The details of how GPs will be able to provide these injections have still not been agreed.

Please don’t make an appointment about Mounjaro yet - we are very likely to have to disappoint.

Even when details of how GPs can provide Mounjaro have been agreed, we will need to arrange training and set up clinics, which will take time.

We want to help as many patients as we can, but are limited by the plans of the ICB based on NHS England requirements.

Please help us to help you - and please don’t make appointments about this right now.

Who will be eligible to get Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) on the NHS?

Eligibility will be based on Body Mass Index (BMI) and the number, and type of other obesity related health conditions a person has.

To be prescribed Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) people must have a BMI of 40 or more AND four or more of the following health conditions:

  • Have at least four or more of the following health conditions:
  • Hypertension
  • Dyslipidaemia
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
I heard someone got Mounjaro on the NHS already, how?

At the moment, the only way to access Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) on the NHS is through a Specialist Weight Management Service.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you’ll need to book an appointment with your GP. They will assess your health and, if appropriate, refer you to the specialist service for further support and consideration for treatment.

This is to make sure the medication is prescribed safely and as part of a wider, personalised care plan.

The Specialist Weight Management Service offers a weight management programme for a period of 12-18 months that supports adults with severe and complex obesity to lose weight through a series of interventions including psychological approaches and dietary changes, with the involvement from a dietitian, psychologist, physiotherapist and consultant. 

For more information related to Specialist weight management services and their eligibility, use this link: https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/resources/specialist-weight-management-service-swms/ 

What if I'm not eligible for Mounjaro or the Specialist Weight Management Service?

If you’re not eligible for Mounjaro, there are still plenty of effective NHS and community options to help you manage your weight and improve your health. These include:

Self-guided support tools:

  • NHS Weight Loss Plan App
  • NHS Couch to 5K running programme
  • NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker
  • NHS Food Scanner to help with healthy food choices

Health and lifestyle support:

  • NHS Health Checks – includes weight advice and screening for other health conditions
  • Diet and exercise advice 
  • Local council-run weight programmes 

Referred NHS services:

  • NHS Digital Weight Management Programme – for adults with a BMI over 30 who also have Type 1 or 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Ask your GP for a referral.
  • Diabetes Prevention Programme – for adults with pre-diabetes. 
  • DESMOND – for people with Type 2 diabetes. 
  • Path to Type 2 Diabetes Remission – where available
  • NHS Specialist Weight Management Services – for people with:
    • A BMI of 35–39.9 and at least one obesity-related health condition
    • OR a BMI of 40 or above

Need help deciding what’s right for you?

For weight loss services requiring a referral, excluding weight loss injections at this time, you can talk to your GP or healthcare team. They can help you understand your eligibility and options and refer you to the right support. 

Important Information: Weight Loss Injections taken with Contraception and HRT

Important Information: GLP-1 Medications and Hormone Treatments

If you are taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide, liraglutide, or others), it's important to know how these medications might affect hormonal treatments, including contraception and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Oral Contraception

GLP-1 medications may reduce the absorption of oral contraceptives. This can lower their effectiveness and increase the risk of unplanned pregnancy.

What you should do:

  • Consider using a non-oral form of contraception (e.g., condoms, patch, injection, implant, or IUD), especially when starting or increasing the dose of a GLP-1 medicine.
  • Speak with your healthcare provider about the most suitable contraception option for you.

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Oral Progesterone (Used in HRT)

GLP-1 medications may also affect the absorption of oral progesterone, which is commonly used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

What you should do:

  • If you are taking oral progesterone for HRT and start or increase a GLP-1 medication, your dose may need to be adjusted.
  • Do not change your medication on your own — always consult your doctor or menopause specialist.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your contraception or HRT, please don’t hesitate to contact the practice.

Page last reviewed: 24 June 2025
Page created: 19 June 2025