What are the injectable medications for weight loss?
Liraglutide (Saxenda®), semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) are medications to help people living with obesity to lose weight, alongside a healthy diet and physical activity. Liraglutide is given as a daily injection, whilst semaglutide and tirzepatide are weekly injections. Liraglutide and semaglutide are used for up to 2 years. Tirzepatide may be used for longer. However, it is common to re-gain weight quickly after stopping these medications.
Can my GP prescribe them?
No, not currently.
National guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on eligible groups and does not recommend GPs prescribe liraglutide (Saxenda®) or semaglutide (Wegovy®) for obesity. These medicines are only to be used within specialist weight management services.
Tirzepatide is the most recent medication to be recommended by NICE (December 2024) for some eligible groups for managing obesity. NICE and NHS England have announced it will take 12 years to fully implement the guidance recommendations. This means it will not be available to everyone meeting the criteria in the NICE guidance straight away.
Tirzepatide will be available first in specialist weight management services, starting in spring 2025. From the summer of 2025, it is expected to start being available outside of specialist services, but still alongside a programme of diet and nutrition support and increased physical activity. This support is an essential part of being prescribed these injections.
As part of the phased roll out, tirzepatide will initially be offered to adults with the most significant health problems related to their weight. NHS England will publish further details soon about which patients will be eligible first.
We will update this page with further information if the situation changes.
What if I am receiving treatment for diabetes?
Patients who are eligible for liraglutide, semaglutide (Ozempic®/ Rybelsus®), dulaglutide (Trulicity®), tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) to manage their Type 2 diabetes can be started on treatment and can continue to take their medication in line with local guidance.
Can my GP prescribe tirzepatide, semaglutide or liraglutide for weight loss that has been started privately?
No, your GP cannot prescribe tirzepatide, semaglutide or liraglutide for weight loss that may have been started privately.
Where can I get help to lose weight?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that can help you work out if your weight is healthy and which services may be appropriate for you. Use the NHS BMI calculator to work out and understand your BMI. You will need your height and weight.
Self-help resources
The NHS Better Health website is a great place to start for advice on losing weight, as well as getting active, drinking less and quitting smoking. Here you will find:
- the free NHS Weight Loss Plan app
- Advice and tools to get started
- Free weight loss programmes available nationally, such as FIT FANS
- Special offers on other weight loss plans
Services available locally to support you
There are a range of free programmes available locally to support you. These include a range of ways to access, so whether you prefer face to face or virtual, 1:1 or group support, there should be something that works for you. You can self-refer to most online.
Whatever your BMI, if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes, you can access the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. This provides 9 months of face to face group support, or digital 1:1 support to make healthy lifestyle changes which will reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and help you lose weight if you need to.
If you are living with obesity and also have diabetes or high blood pressure, the 12 week NHS National Digital Weight Management Programme could help you.
If you are eligible and would like to access this programme, ask your local pharmacy or GP practice to refer you.
If you are a Hertfordshire resident or patient living with obesity and you have not recently attended a free 12 week weight loss programme, you can access the My Healthy Weight Programme by TBC Healthcare. This is a 14 week programme, with a range of ways to access. You can self-refer here:
An alternative for Hertfordshire residents or patients living with obesity is the 12 week Shape Up Programme delivered by Watford Football Club. Originally just for men, there are now some sessions for women too. For more details, please see their website or email [email protected] .
If you are a West Essex resident or patient, the Essex Wellbeing Service provide a range of programmes and support to help with weight loss, as well as support with other healthy lifestyle changes. You can find out more and self-refer here.
Specialist weight management services
These services provide 12 months of intensive support delivered by a team of specialists, including dieticians, physical activity specialists and psychologists. Each service has a range of ways to access which the service will discuss with you.
In Hertfordshire, this specialist service is provided by TBC Healthcare. The programme is called My Healthy Weight Plus +. You can self-refer here.
In West Essex, this specialist service is provided by Morelife. Check the eligibility criteria here. If you are eligible and would like to be referred, please talk to your GP practice.
These specialist services can also help prepare and refer you for possible bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery), if that is the most appropriate option for you.