🩺 Weight Management Injections
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What You Need to Know:
💊 Weight Management Injections: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) & Semaglutide (Wegovy®)
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for Weight Loss
- What it is:
A once-weekly injectable medicine that mimics hormones to suppress appetite, helping you feel full longer and eat less. Administered under skin; your doctor or nurse will show you how. NHS England+15NHS England+15hweclinicalguidance.nhs.uk+15 - Eligibility & NICE approval:
Recommended by NICE (TA1026, Dec 2024) for adults with:- BMI ≥ 35 (or ≥ 32.5 for certain ethnic groups), plus at least one weight-related condition; or
- During phased rollout in primary care, priority is given to those with BMI ≥ 40 (or 37.5 adjusted) and ≥ 4 comorbidities:
– dyslipidaemia, hypertension, sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes nhs.uk+9NHS England+9NHS England+9NHS England+9NHS England+9DiabetesontheNet+9
- How it works:
Must be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, with phased wraparound support including dietician and psychological help. Wikipedia+6DiabetesontheNet+6NICE+6 - Safety considerations:
Not suitable if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, or have specific conditions (e.g. personal/family history of medullary thyroid cancer, MEN 2 syndrome). Can interfere with absorption of oral contraceptives and HRT; skin patches or condom backup recommended. Always inform your healthcare team before surgery. NHS England+1Wikipedia+1 - Rollout timeline:
NICE required NHS to fund specialist services from 24 March 2025, with phased introduction in primary care starting 23 June 2025, focusing first on highest-need patients (~220,000 over 3 years). The Sun+4NHS England+4NHS England+4
Semaglutide (Wegovy®) for Weight Loss
- What it is:
A once-weekly injection similar to tirzepatide that reduces appetite and supports weight loss. The Times+15nhs.uk+15NCBI+15 - Who it’s for:
Adults with BMI ≥ 35 (or ≥ 32.5 in certain ethnic groups), or BMI 30–34.9 (or 27.5–32.4 adjusted) with weight-related health issues, prescribed via specialist weight management teams (Tier 3). NHS England+15nhs.uk+15NHS England+15 - Guidelines:
Also must be used alongside diet and exercise. Treatment is reviewed after 6 months—continued use depends on ≥ 5% weight loss. Prescription period limited to 2 years in specialist services. NICE+2nhs.uk+2NCBI+2 - Safety:
Not advised if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have certain health conditions. nhs.uk
📝 What You Should Know
| Topic | Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) | Semaglutide (Wegovy®) |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription Path | Specialist weight service → Primary care phased rollout | Specialist weight-management services only |
| Eligibility | BMI ≥ 35 + ≥1 comorbidity, or priority group (BMI ≥ 40 + ≥4 conditions) | BMI ≥ 35 or BMI 30–34.9 (27.5–32.4 adjusted) + comorbidities |
| Support Required | Diet, exercise & wraparound care via ICB guidance | Diet & exercise; multidisciplinary support via Tier 3 |
| Treatment Review | Monitor per NICE timelines & local protocol | Review after 6 months; up to 2-year duration |
Summary:
Tirzepatide and semaglutide are advanced treatments available on the NHS for weight management, only when paired with lifestyle support and offered through specialist services. Tirzepatide is now entering primary care in stages, while semaglutide remains specialist-led.
Check with your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) to see if you currently qualify, and discuss with the practice team to understand when you may become eligible.