What you need to know about weight loss jabs and how much they cost

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With the new year underway, many people in the UK are taking stock of their health, and for a sizeable number, weight loss is high on the agenda.

YouGov data reveals that 17% of Britons want to lose weight in 2026, making it one of the most common health goals people are considering. It sits alongside resolutions to get fitter, exercise more and eat more healthily, reflecting a broader push toward better wellbeing at the start of the year.

That may help explain why interest in prescription weight loss treatments continues to grow. So what options are available in the UK and how do Wegovy and Mounjaro actually compare?

Here’s what you need to know about weight loss jabs.

Wegovy vs Mounjaro: What’s the difference?

Wegovy and Mounjaro are two of the most popular prescription injectable medications approved to help with weight loss, but they work in slightly different ways.

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, which is licensed and approved for managing obesity. It differs from Ozempic, which is another brand name for semaglutide, and is used to treat obesity as well as type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. This can lead to reduced hunger, increased feelings of fullness, and gradual weight loss.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and works slightly differently from Wegovy. It works by regulating a person’s appetite, making them feel full and less hungry, and reducing the frequency of food cravings.

Like Wegovy, it mimics GLP-1, helping to control appetite and blood sugar. However, it also targets a second hormone called GIP, which plays a role in metabolism and how the body processes energy.

Fake weight loss jabs warning

Health officials have warned people not to buy weight loss injections from social media or unregulated websites, after a recent survey conducted by Ipsos for the Press Association found almost one in 10 people in Britain would consider doing so if they couldn’t get a prescription.

Dr Claire Fuller, national medical director at NHS England, said people hoping to lose weight “shouldn’t be tempted by quick fixes advertised online”, warning that medicines sold without proper checks can be dangerous.

“We are concerned about reports of unverified sellers and individuals promoting weight loss injections on social media, offering medicines without any clinical oversight, medical checks or follow-up care,” she said. “The lack of supervision can put people’s health at serious risk, and there may also be concerns about the quality or authenticity of the products on offer.”

Dr Fuller added that weight loss injections are “powerful medicines and can have serious side effects,” which is why they must only be prescribed by “an appropriately trained healthcare professional.”

Who is eligible for weight loss jabs on the NHS?

Eligibility differs slightly for each:

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is approved for weight loss and weight management in adults aged 18 and over who meet the eligibility criteria. It is recommended that Mounjaro be used together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

You are eligible for Mounjaro if you meet the following criteria:

• Have a BMI of at least 30

• Have a BMI between 27 to 30, and weight-related problems such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems

How is it taken?

Administered: By injection, once a week

Amount: Begins at a low dose and is increased in stages, depending on tolerance and response

Need to know: Because it acts on two hormones, some people may experience different side effects compared with other injections

According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the dose may then be increased in at least four-week intervals up to the maximum dose of 15mg per week.

Women using oral contraceptives may be advised to consider using a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom or switching to a non-oral contraceptive method for four weeks after starting Mounjaro. This is because Mounjaro may affect the efficacy of the contraceptive pill.

Wegovy

The NHS began offering Wegovy back in September 2023 as an option for weight management in line with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

It is recommended that the medication be used in tandem with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

You are eligible for Wegovy if you meet the following criteria:

• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35

• One weight-related comorbidity (such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease)

• Have a BMI of 30 to 34.9, provided you meet the criteria for referral to specialist weight management services

How is it taken?

Administered: By injection, once a week

Amount: Starts at a low dose and is gradually increased over several weeks to reduce side effects

Need to know: Doses are stepped up under medical supervision and should not be increased faster than prescribed

How much do weight loss jabs cost?

At present, the drugs can be bought privately from high street chemists and online pharmacies after an in-person or video consultation with a specialist.

A private prescription can currently cost upwards of £122 to £300+ a month.

It’s estimated that more than half a million people are getting injections this way because of the long wait time for specialist NHS clinics.

Will a weight loss pill be cheaper?

A weight loss pill is also in the works. In late summer last year, a daily tablet called orforglipron, made by the same company as Mounjaro, showed promising early trial results, helping people lose an average of 12.4% of their body weight over 72 weeks.

In the US, patients are expected to start taking the pill in early 2026, followed by the rest of the world.

Do patients get a say in which weight loss medication they’re prescribed?

While patients can discuss options with their healthcare provider, the choice of drug such as Mounjaro or Wegovy and whether it’s in pill or jab form, will typically be guided by clinical need, NICE guidelines, and NHS availability.

Eligibility is based on the factors above, such as BMI and weight-related health conditions. So even if pharmacy prescribing is rolled out more widely, treatment decisions will likely still be based on medical assessment rather than patient request, at least for now.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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