How To Inject Weight Loss Medication
Dr Ashwin Sharma
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Jul 22, 2024
In this article, our Levity experts guide you through the weight loss injection process for your injectable weight loss treatment whether it’s Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Weight loss and management are important not just to the individuals they concern, but to the health service that cares for those people across their lifetimes.
Here in the UK, obesity is one of the leading causes of serious illness (including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer). Costing the National Health Service (NHS) £6.5 billion each year, obesity was a factor in over one million admissions to NHS hospitals in 2019-20 alone. [1] For this reason, it is in the NHS’ interest to prevent obesity and its related health conditions, rather than treat the symptoms further down the line.
Weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists. Also used as treatment for type 2 diabetes, they mimic the body’s natural glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone to help balance blood sugar levels, slow down stomach emptying (making you feel fuller for longer), and target areas of the brain to help reduce appetite. The combination of eating less food and improved satiety supports weight loss. [2]
It is now possible to get GLP-1 weight loss injections prescribed on the NHS. In December 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) estimated that 3.4 million people in England would be eligible for treatment with Mounjaro (which contains the active ingredient tirzepatide). [3] However, as a new treatment option, this approach is still in its infancy and is not yet widely available.
Weight management services on the NHS are categorised into tiers. Available to most patients, tier 1 and 2 services focus on preventative programs, providing high level information and guidance on nutrition and lifestyle. Tier 3 services are specialist services just for those living with obesity, with a BMI ≥40, or BMI ≥35 with weight-related health conditions. Tier 4 services help provide access to weight loss (bariatric) surgery.
GLP-1 weight loss treatments are only available to patients within tier 3 and 4 services – however, access to these medications is still limited and being gradually rolled out. [4]
There are currently three different weight loss injections available on the NHS. In England, NICE has recommended semaglutide – under the brand name Wegovy – for patients in specialist weight management services. Liraglutide (brand name Saxenda) is also available on the NHS.
Additionally, in November 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) licensed tirzepatide –under the brand name Mounjaro – for weight loss and weight management in adults aged 18 years and over. While it has been approved, it is not yet widely available. The NHS plans to begin rolling it out from early 2025, starting with those who have the highest clinical need. This rollout is expected to take up to 12 years to reach all eligible patients. [3]
It's important to note that these medications are not universally available to all NHS patients. They are restricted to specialist weight management services (tiers 3 and 4) and have specific eligibility criteria, including BMI thresholds and the presence of weight-related comorbidities.
In its current phasing, no. The approval of Wegovy specifies that it can only be prescribed by specialist weight management services.
The rollout of Mounjarois also being carefully managed. It will also initially be offered through specialist weight management services, starting from early 2025. Then, Mounjaro can be prescribed outside of specialist services – so likely from GPs – from summer 2025. [1] It's important to note that even when these medications become available through primary care, there will likely be specific eligibility criteria and prioritisation based on clinical need.
Due to high demand and limited supply, access to GLP-1 medications may be restricted initially. The NHS is working to ensure that those with the greatest clinical need receive treatment first.
The eligibility criteria for both available weight loss injections is slightly different. Patients can qualify for Wegovy on the NHS if they have a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or more (32.5 kg/m2 or more for people from certain ethnic backgrounds). Or, a BMI of 30-34.9 kg/m2 (27.5-32.4 kg/m2 for certain ethnic backgrounds) and meet criteria for specialist weight management services [3]
The availability of Mounjaro on the NHS for obesity treatment is pending. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not yet issued final guidance for its use in weight management within the NHS. In terms of private prescriptions, Mounjaro has been authorised by the MHRA for adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more, or between 27-30 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related comorbidity.[5]
For patients, the NHS typically applies a standard prescription charge per item. As of March 2025, this charge is £9.90 per prescription item in England. Therefore, if prescribed Wegovy through the NHS, a patient would pay £9.90 per prescription, regardless of the medication's actual cost to the NHS. Prescription charges may vary in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, where some regions offer free prescriptions.
The NHS is made up of many local trusts, which have their own waiting lists, medication availability and availability of specialist services. You can contact your local service directly to get an understanding of how long you might wait to be seen by a weight loss specialist in your area.
Or, if you’d prefer to go private and start treatment with Levity straight away, you can find the right treatment for you on our website here.
References
1. Wegovy (Semaglutide) and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) [Internet]. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. 2019. Available from: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-health/prescribing/statements/wegovy-semaglutide-and-mounjaro-tirzepatide/
2. List of Incretin mimetics [Internet]. Drugs.com. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/incretin-mimetics.html
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Overview | Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity | Guidance | NICE [Internet]. www.nice.org.uk. 2023. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875
4. Balogun B. Weight loss medicines in England [Internet]. House of Commons Library. 2025. Available from: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10171/
5. Overview | Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity | Guidance | NICE [Internet]. Nice.org.uk. NICE; 2024. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1026
In this article, our Levity experts guide you through the weight loss injection process for your injectable weight loss treatment whether it’s Mounjaro or Wegovy.
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