Weight management FAQs

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a treatment called tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) to help manage obesity. This treatment is to be used alongside healthy eating and physical activity advice.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) will initially be offered to individuals facing the most significant health risks related to their weight.

The weight loss medicine tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro®, is a GLP-1/GIP agonist. Other medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy®), liraglutide (Saxenda®), are known as GLP-1 agonists. They mimic gut hormones released by the body after eating, telling the brain you are full, they also slow down the time it takes the stomach to empty and help control blood sugar levels.

More information can be found here: GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) comes in the form of an injection which you inject yourself, once a week. You will be trained how to do this.

Access to the medication will be prioritised to make sure patients with the greatest clinical need can access the medication first.

The following weight related health conditions will be used to prioritise people with the greatest clinical need:

• type 2 diabetes mellitus

• high blood pressure

• heart disease

• obstructive sleep apnoea (when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep)

• abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia)

Cohort one - will start in 2025.  

Patients will have at least fourof the five health conditions listed above plus a body mass index (BMI) of 40 (BMI to be adjusted for ethnicity*) or more.

Cohort two - in year two, patients will have at least four of the five health conditions listed above plus a BMI of 35 - 39.9 (BMI to be adjusted for ethnicity*).

Cohort three - in year three, patients will have at least three of the five health conditions and a BMI of 40 (BMI to be adjusted for ethnicity*) or more.

*Due to an increased risk of heath conditions at lower BMI thresholds in these populations, the BMI applied to assess eligibility for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) must be adjusted by 2.5 kg/m2 in people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds to ensure equitable clinical prioritisation and access to appropriate treatment.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) will not be suitable for everyone and not everyone who meets the eligibility criteria will want to use it to support their weight loss.

There are other options available [LINK TO: Weight management | ICS] including weight loss programmes that use tried and tested methods such as lifestyle changes, and nutrition and physical activity advice.

New patient services are in place to support access to tirzepatide  (Mounjaro®) in Kent and Medway for cohort one. This includes an initial assessment and discussion about the best treatment option with a health professional who can prescribe it for you.

Like all medications, tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) can cause side effects and healthcare professionals should discuss the possible side effects with you.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is a new medication, so any side effects should be reported through the Yellow Card Scheme, which is the government system used for recording side effects with medicines in the UK.

Patients taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) on the NHS for obesity management will be supported by the healthcare professional who is prescribing the medication.

Patients will also be given access to a lifestyle support programme that focuses on diet and nutrition advice when taking the medication, and physical activity advice. This wraparound care will be available for the first nine months of being prescribed the medication.

Patients cannot be prescribed tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) if they do not wish to undertake the wraparound care offered. This is because the NICE recommendations state tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) must be prescribed alongside diet and physical activity advice.

NICE guidance recommends if you do not lose enough weight (five per cent) after six months of being on the highest dose you can manage, tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) should be stopped. This is because the medication is not working as well as it should be for you.

Currently there is no specified time limit for being prescribed tirzepatide (Mounjaro®). The decision to continue or stop tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) should not be taken during pregnancy or just before trying to get pregnant. This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine can cause harm to the baby.

There is specific information about how these medications affect contraceptive methods, like the pill. The Faculty for Sexual and Reproductive Health has produced this information leaflet for patients to read:   Patient-information: GLP-1-agonists-and-contraception.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) can affect the absorption of other medications being taken. In some cases, this may affect how well and/or how fast those medications work; or it may make no difference.

It is important to be honest and that you let the healthcare professional know about any medical conditions and any medication you are taking. This information will need to be considered before you are prescribed tirzepatide (Mounjaro®).

Patients can continue taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) if they are prescribed it by the NHS to manage their diabetes.

If patients are using tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) bought privately, they may be able to access the medication through an NHS prescription if they meet the NHS qualifying criteria outlined above.

It is important your GP is aware you are taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), if it hasn't been prescribed by the NHS, as it may impact on your health and any other treatments you are having or may need.

An appropriate healthcare professional can determine if you are eligible to receive tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) as part of your care, if you meet the criteria.

Normal prescription charges will apply unless you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions (for example, because you have a medical exemption certificate).