Weight Loss Injections on the NHS

Interest in weight loss injections like Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda (liraglutide) is rising. The Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) has found that 4.1 million people in England are eligible for Wegovy treatment.

Despite the argument that individuals and society can benefit from injectable weight loss treatments for managing conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, several factors determine their availability on the NHS.

Currently, just 3 weight loss medications are available on the NHS:

• orlistat
• liraglutide
• semaglutide (Wegovy)

Even though the NHS approves their use, getting a prescription may not be as easy as it seems.

In this article, we’ll explore which weight loss injections and alternative treatments are available on the NHS, and the criteria you’ll need to meet to obtain a prescription.

Some weight loss injections are available on the NHS, but your GP cannot prescribe them. Instead, you’ll need to be referred to a specialist weight management clinician who can assess your eligibility and prescribe a suitable medication to you.

Alternatively, weight loss injections are available with a private prescription from reputable and trusted online services like Superdrug Online Doctor.

Mounjaro looks likely to be available on the NHS in early 2025 to people with the most clinical needs, including a BMI of at least 35 and at least one other weight-related illness. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has stated that a phased launch of Mounjaro’s active ingredient, tirzepatide, has been set out and that it will be rolled out over 12 years.

Under the plans, almost 220,000 people will receive the injection in the first 3 years of the launch.

Yes, you can get Wegovy on the NHS if you meet the prescribing criteria for semaglutide. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy weight loss injections, was launched in the UK on 4 September 2023 and has been available in line with NICE guidance on the NHS since.

Yes, Ozempic is available on the NHS as a type 2 diabetes treatment, but you cannot get Ozempic on the NHS for weight loss. That’s because, although it contains semaglutide – the same active ingredient as Wegovy – Ozempic is for managing blood sugar levels and is available in lower dosages for this reason.

Saxenda is currently long-term out of stock but its active ingredient liraglutide is available on the NHS for weight loss. Just like Wegovy, your GP will need to refer you to a specialist weight management service for you to obtain a prescription.

No, your GP cannot prescribe weight loss injections on the NHS. They will need to refer you to a specialist weight management service instead.

Weight loss injections that are available on the NHS belong to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as Wegovy and liraglutide.

They are self-administered injections which are used either once-weekly or once-daily depending on which one your doctor prescribed.

You can only currently get liraglutide or semaglutide on the NHS if a specialist weight management service has prescribed it to you. Tirzepatide will soon be available for prescription.

Your GP cannot prescribe weight loss injections, but they can refer you to the correct weight management service that can. Often, weight loss injections are prescribed if diet and exercise changes alone have not helped you lose weight.

For treatment to be successful you should follow a healthy, balanced, calorie-controlled diet and exercise program. You’ll also need to meet some specific criteria to be eligible for NHS weight loss injections:

• a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease
• a BMI of 35 or more, or 32.5 or more if you are of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin

If weight loss injections are not suitable for you or you’re not keen on injecting yourself, there are alternative weight loss treatments available on the NHS.

Orlistat

Orlistat is a prescription-only weight loss tablet, usually taken as a 120mg dose 3 times a day, that works by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from meals. Orlistat binds to an enzyme responsible for fat absorption called lipase. By doing so, orlistat stops around 33% of the fat in a meal from being absorbed. Instead, it is excreted out of the body in your poo, helping you to lose weight. Orlistat is a generic medication but a branded alternative called Xenical is also available. This means that Orlistat and Xenical work in the exact same way, the only difference is their name, price and packaging.

How can you get orlistat on the NHS?

Orlistat is available on the NHS if you’ve already made a big effort to lose weight by changing your lifestyle, including diet and exercise. You’ll also need to have a BMI of:

• 28 or more and a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, or
• 30 or more

How much does orlistat cost on the NHS?

Orlistat is free on the NHS unless you usually pay for your prescriptions. If you do, you’ll need to pay the current NHS prescription charge per item of £9.90.

How effective is orlistat?

Clinical research shows that orlistat helps 37% of people lose at least 5% of their starting body weight after 12 weeks.

Clinical trials involving weight loss injections have found:

• most people who use Mounjaro can lose up to 22.5% of their initial body weight after 72 weeks when using the maximum maintenance dose of 15mg
• when using Wegovy, it is possible to lose up to 15% of your starting body weight after 68 weeks, on the highest 2.4mg maintenance dose
• Liraglutide (generic Saxenda) users lose on average 8% of their initial body weight after 56 weeks on the maintenance dose

How long should you take orlistat for?

You should continue taking orlistat for as long as you need to reach your weight loss targets. However, if you have not lost 5% of your starting body weight within 3 months, your doctor may advise you to stop taking it as it is unlikely to be an effective treatment for you.

alli

alli is an over-the-counter weight loss medication which means you can buy it in pharmacies and online without a prescription. alli is not available on prescription from the NHS.

alli contains the same active ingredient as orlistat but at a lower dose of 60mg. So, if you’re looking for an NHS alternative, then you’ll need to discuss taking orlistat with your GP.

How effective is alli?

alli has been shown to help 46.7% of people lose at least 5% of their starting body weight after 6 months.

How much does alli cost?

alli is available to buy online from Superdrug Online Doctor for £39.50.

Weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery)

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is an NHS weight loss treatment for the most severe cases of obesity.

There are different types of surgery available, such as:

• gastric bypass – a small pouch is created and attached to the small intestine to reduce the stomach size
• gastric band – a silicone band is surgically placed around the stomach to reduce its capacity and slow the transit of food through it
• gastric balloon – a deflated balloon is inserted into the stomach and filled with saline to reduce the stomach’s capacity, making you feel fuller after a meal
• sleeve gastrectomy – a large portion of the stomach is removed to create a smaller, tube shaped stomach

Who can get bariatric surgery on the NHS?

Weight loss surgery on the NHS may be available if you:

• have a BMI of at least 40
• have a BMI between 35 and 40 and a weight related health condition that might improve if you lost weight, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, asthma, or arthritis
• have tried lifestyle changes and other weight loss methods but they have not worked
• agree to make lifestyle changes and attend regular check-ups with your doctor

If you have a BMI of 50 or more, you may be referred for surgery on the NHS without needing to try other weight loss methods first.

How quickly can you lose weight with weight loss surgery?

Most people who have a gastric bypass or a sleeve gastrectomy lose most of their weight within the first 6 months which stabilises around 12 to 18 months later. In comparison, weight loss injections can result in up to 15% weight loss after 68 weeks for Wegovy and 22.5% body weight changes after 72 weeks using Mounjaro.

Research has shown that weight loss following bariatric surgery was still apparent after 10 years. Whereas, research into weight loss injections has found that after 1 year of stopping semaglutide (Wegovy) injections, users regained 66% of their prior weight loss.

However, the best weight loss treatment for you will depend on your personal circumstances, including your weight loss goals, health status, and even treatment preferences. All weight loss treatments require a commitment to changing your lifestyle for healthier habits.

Getting weight loss injections on the NHS is not as simple as it sounds. Because GPs cannot prescribe them themselves, they will need to refer you to a specialist weight management service. However, not all weight management services offer weight loss injections and access to the service itself can depend on several factors, including:

• where you live
• local waiting times
• eligibility
• roll out of new medications

If you are looking to get weight loss treatments, Superdrug Online Doctor can help. Our doctors can give you access to weight loss injections, including Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Liraglutide (generic Saxenda) and provide you with expert knowledge and support. Our service also gives you peace of mind that you will get your prescription, if treatment is safe and appropriate, despite disruptions elsewhere.