--- title: "Weight-loss injections: NHS options | HealthAnswers" description: "Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda compared — NHS eligibility criteria, average weight loss, GP versus specialist routes, and availability in each UK nation." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/weight-loss-injections/ robots: noindex --- # Weight-loss injections: NHS options | HealthAnswers Treatments Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda compared — NHS eligibility criteria, average weight loss, GP versus specialist routes, and availability in each UK nation. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 18 July 2026 ## Quick answer Which weight-loss injections can you get on the NHS? Three weight-loss injections are available on the NHS — Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide). Mounjaro can be prescribed by GPs in England for people with a BMI of 40 or more plus at least four weight-related conditions; Wegovy and Saxenda are prescribed through specialist weight-management services with different criteria. All work best alongside diet and activity support. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Weight-loss injections, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Key facts about weight-loss injections - Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — weekly injection, around 20% average weight loss, GP-prescribable in England since June 2025. - Wegovy (semaglutide) — weekly injection, around 14–15% average weight loss, specialist services only, normally two years maximum. - Saxenda (liraglutide) — daily injection, around 5–10% average weight loss, specialist services, largely superseded by newer options. - Available via specialist clinics in England, Scotland and Wales; not yet available in Northern Ireland, where a first service is planned for 2026. - Weight regain is common after stopping any of them — NHS treatment always includes diet and activity support. ## The three NHS weight-loss injections compared | | Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Wegovy (semaglutide) | Saxenda (liraglutide) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Injection frequency | Once weekly | Once weekly | Once daily | | Average weight loss in trials | ~20% at 72 weeks | ~14–15% at 68 weeks | ~5–10% | | NHS route | GP (England) or specialist clinic | Specialist weight-management service | Specialist weight-management service | | Typical NHS criteria | BMI 40+ (37.5+ some ethnic backgrounds) plus at least four of five weight-related conditions | BMI 35+ (32.5+ some ethnic backgrounds) plus at least one weight-related condition | BMI 35+ with pre-diabetes and other risk factors | | Time limit | Reviewed regularly | Normally 2 years (no limit for heart-attack/stroke risk reduction) | Reviewed regularly | | UK nations | England (GP + clinics); Scotland and Wales via clinics | England, Scotland and Wales via clinics | England, Scotland and Wales via clinics | Northern Ireland has no NHS weight-loss injection service yet — the first is planned for 2026. ## How they work All three mimic gut hormones that reduce appetite and slow stomach emptying. Mounjaro targets two hormones (GLP-1 and GIP), which is why it produced the largest average loss in trials — 20.2% of body weight versus 13.7% on semaglutide in the first head-to-head study. None of them work in isolation: NHS treatment pairs the injection with diet, activity and behavioural support, because weight returns for most people who stop without changed habits. ## Which route applies to you? - BMI 40+ (37.5+ for some ethnic backgrounds) with four or more weight-related conditions — ask your GP about [Mounjaro](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/mounjaro-tirzepatide/); GPs in England have prescribed it since June 2025. - BMI 35+ (32.5+ for some ethnic backgrounds) with at least one weight-related condition — ask your GP for a referral to a specialist weight-management service, which can prescribe [Wegovy](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/wegovy-semaglutide/). - Not eligible for either — NHS weight-management programmes (diet, activity and behavioural support) are open to far more people, and orlistat remains an option; see [weight loss medicines](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/weight-loss-medicines/). ## Avoid black-market jabs Demand has outstripped NHS supply in some areas, and unregulated sellers have filled the gap. Unlicensed “skinny jabs” bought through social media have caused serious harm and deaths in the UK. Only use an injection prescribed for you by a UK-registered prescriber, dispensed by a pharmacy you can verify on the General Pharmaceutical Council register. ## ! Important safety information for weight-loss injections Speak to your GP before starting any weight-loss injection — you need a BMI and medical-history assessment, and some conditions (pregnancy, eating disorder history, certain thyroid cancers) rule these medicines out. Seek urgent help for severe tummy pain on any GLP-1 medicine, which can rarely signal pancreatitis. Never buy injections from social media sellers or unregistered websites. ## Common questions about weight-loss injections What is the difference between Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda? Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a weekly injection targeting two gut hormones and produced about 20% average weight loss in trials. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weekly injection targeting one hormone, with about 14% average loss. Saxenda (liraglutide) is a daily injection with around 5–10% loss. They also differ in NHS route — Mounjaro via GPs in England, the others via specialist clinics. Is it safe to buy weight-loss jabs online? Only from a UK-registered pharmacy with a valid prescription — check the pharmacy on the General Pharmaceutical Council register. Never buy from social media sellers or unregistered websites; the NHS and MHRA warn that unregulated "skinny jabs" have caused serious harm and deaths in the UK. If in doubt, speak to your GP or pharmacist first. Can I get weight-loss injections in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? In Scotland and Wales, weight-loss injections are available through NHS specialist weight-management clinics for people meeting the criteria. Northern Ireland does not yet have an NHS service, with the first one planned for 2026. Criteria and waiting times vary by area, so ask your GP what your local pathway offers. Who should not use weight-loss injections? They are not suitable if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, and need specialist judgement if you have a history of an eating disorder, pancreatitis, or certain thyroid cancers (medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2). They are not prescribed for cosmetic weight loss in people who do not meet the BMI criteria. A full medical assessment always comes first. ## Sources - [British Heart Foundation — Weight-loss injections explained](https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/weight-loss-injections-explained) - [South Yorkshire ICB — NICE tirzepatide FAQs for patients](https://southyorkshire.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/nices-announcement-tirzepatide-frequently-asked-questions-patients) - [NHS North East and North Cumbria — Weight-loss drugs, information for patients](https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/here-to-help-you/health-advice-and-support/weight-loss-drugs-information-for-patients/) - [BMJ — Warning over black-market weight-loss jabs](https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s48.full)