Weight Loss Prescriptions

 

It has been in the press that GPs can prescribe Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), from 23rd June, for weight loss on the NHS.

Please note though that there are very strict criteria as who is eligible this year.

As a practice we are not able to prescribe outside the national guidelines.

For weight loss you must have:

  • BMI over 40

And four of the below criteria

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Cardiovascular disease or have had a stroke
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Dyslipidaemia (significantly raised cholesterol or on treatment for cholesterol)
    • Raised cholesterol in this context is:
      • LDL>4.1 or
      • DL <1.0 for men or
      • HDL < 1.3 for women or
      • Triglycerides >1.7
  • Diagnosis of Sleep Apnoea - from sleep clinic

If you fit these criteria

If you fit these criteria and would like to consider the treatment we would need to further assess your suitability for treatment with a GP appointment, there may be reasons we cannot recommend this for you.

We would then refer you to a weight loss program so you can access additional support alongside the medication and would recommend lifestyle changes too.

You would then need a nurse appointment where they can support with the initial use of the medication and they will arrange monthly monitoring of your weight, BP and progress.

If you do not fit the criteria

If you do not fit the criteria , we can still refer you for weight management support or you can access this through self-referral

Or we can refer you to the NHS digital weight management programme if you are eligible :

  • 18 or over
  • Have a BMI greater than 30 (or 27.5 for people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds)
  • Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both

If you do not fit the weight loss treatment guidance above but have diabetes

If you do not fit the weight loss treatment guidance above BUT have diabetes you may be eligible for Mounjaro - only if:

  • Your HbA1c is above target

And

  • You are on triple therapy with metformin and 2 other oral medications and this is still ineffective or not tolerated

And

  • your BMI is over 35 (32.5 for people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds)

Or your BMI is <35 but you are not suitable for insulin treatment due to your occupation.  

We cannot prescribe Mounjaro outside the guidelines

Please do not make an appointment specifically for this if you are not eligible.

If you are treated with Mounjaro it is important to also make changes to your lifestyle:

  • Healthy diet including reduced calorie intake
  • Sufficient calcium and vitamin D intake
  • Increased protein content of the diet
  • Increased exercise, especially strength exercises

Published: Jun 18, 2025