How much do weight-loss injections cost in the UK?

Private weight-loss medication in the UK typically costs around £100–£350 a month depending on the medicine and your dose. WeightMedsCompare lists current monthly prices side by side, along with what each price includes.

Who is eligible for weight-loss medication?

Private prescribing usually follows the licensed basis: a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition. Lower thresholds apply for some ethnic groups. NHS criteria are generally higher. A registered prescriber makes the final decision.

What is the difference between Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are weekly injections; Saxenda (liraglutide) is daily. They differ in how they act, their side-effect profiles and their price. Individual results vary and suitability is decided by a prescriber.

Is WeightMedsCompare independent?

Yes. Rankings are not paid. Some outbound links are affiliate links and some providers can pay for a clearly-labelled Sponsored placement, but this never changes the organic order. See our funding and disclosure pages for details.

How much does Mounjaro cost in the UK?

The lowest published price we track is £60 a month, across 60 UK providers. Prices vary with your dose and what is included — always check the provider's own site before you buy.

How is Mounjaro taken?

Weekly injection — Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that activates two gut-hormone receptors (GIP and GLP-1). It reduces appetite and slows stomach emptying, so you feel full sooner and for longer. It's licensed in the UK for weight management alongside diet and exercise.

Who can prescribe Mounjaro in the UK?

Only a registered UK prescriber (a doctor, pharmacist prescriber or nurse prescriber) can prescribe it, usually through a CQC-registered clinic or GPhC-registered pharmacy. They will check your BMI, health history and current medicines first.

Am I eligible for Mounjaro?

Private prescribing usually follows the licensed basis: BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition. Lower thresholds apply for some ethnic groups. NHS criteria are generally higher. A prescriber makes the final decision.

How much does Wegovy cost in the UK?

The lowest published price we track is £79 a month, across 33 UK providers. Prices vary with your dose and what is included — always check the provider's own site before you buy.

Weekly injection — Semaglutide is a once-weekly injection that mimics the gut hormone GLP-1, reducing appetite and how much you eat. It's licensed in the UK for weight management alongside diet and physical activity.

Who can prescribe Wegovy in the UK?

Only a registered UK prescriber (a doctor, pharmacist prescriber or nurse prescriber) can prescribe it, usually through a CQC-registered clinic or GPhC-registered pharmacy. They will check your BMI, health history and current medicines first.

Am I eligible for Wegovy?

Private prescribing usually follows the licensed basis: BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition. Lower thresholds apply for some ethnic groups. NHS criteria are generally higher. A prescriber makes the final decision.

How much does Saxenda cost in the UK?

The lowest published price we track is £53 a month, across 6 UK providers. Prices vary with your dose and what is included — always check the provider's own site before you buy.

How is Saxenda taken?

Daily injection — Liraglutide is a once-daily injection that mimics GLP-1 to reduce appetite. It's an older weight-management medicine, taken daily rather than weekly.

Who can prescribe Saxenda in the UK?

Only a registered UK prescriber (a doctor, pharmacist prescriber or nurse prescriber) can prescribe it, usually through a CQC-registered clinic or GPhC-registered pharmacy. They will check your BMI, health history and current medicines first.

Am I eligible for Saxenda?

Private prescribing usually follows the licensed basis: BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition. Lower thresholds apply for some ethnic groups. NHS criteria are generally higher. A prescriber makes the final decision.

How much does oral GLP-1 (emerging) cost in the UK?

The lowest published price we track is £24.99 a month, across 18 UK providers. Prices vary with your dose and what is included — always check the provider's own site before you buy.

How is oral GLP-1 (emerging) taken?

Tablet — Oral GLP-1 medicines are tablet forms of GLP-1 treatment — no injection needed. Higher-dose oral semaglutide for weight loss is emerging in the UK, while lower-dose oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is currently licensed for type 2 diabetes. Availability and licensing are changing — a prescriber will confirm what's suitable.

Who can prescribe oral GLP-1 (emerging) in the UK?

Only a registered UK prescriber (a doctor, pharmacist prescriber or nurse prescriber) can prescribe it, usually through a CQC-registered clinic or GPhC-registered pharmacy. They will check your BMI, health history and current medicines first.

Am I eligible for oral GLP-1 (emerging)?

Private prescribing usually follows the licensed basis: BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition. Lower thresholds apply for some ethnic groups. NHS criteria are generally higher. A prescriber makes the final decision.

Why is the same medicine cheaper at one provider than another?

Mostly because of what's bundled and how they price. A low headline figure may exclude the consultation, needles or delivery, or be a first-month offer; a higher figure may include coaching, monitoring and support. Compare the total monthly cost for the same medicine and dose, including any extras.

Are generic weight-loss injections cheaper than branded ones?

Often, yes. As patents expire, generic versions (for example generic liraglutide) are entering the UK market alongside branded products like Saxenda, usually at a lower price. Branded and generic versions of the same molecule can sit side by side at different prices — many people still choose the branded product, and both require a prescription.

Does health insurance cover weight-loss injections?

Rarely for private self-pay weight management, and cover varies by policy. Most people accessing weight-loss injections privately pay out of pocket. Always check your specific policy before assuming it's covered.

Can I get Mounjaro or Wegovy free on the NHS?

Sometimes. Since June 2026, your own GP can prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on the NHS if you have a BMI of 35 or more plus at least four qualifying conditions — and not every practice has opted in. Wegovy (semaglutide) remains available only through NHS specialist weight-management services, which have long waits and aren't open to new referrals everywhere. Most people still don't meet the NHS thresholds, and you'd pay the standard prescription charge unless you're exempt.

Why are the private BMI rules lower than the NHS ones?

They reflect different things. The NHS thresholds are NICE's rules for NHS-funded specialist treatment; the private thresholds follow the medicines' UK licence (BMI 30+, or 27+ with a weight-related condition). They're not contradictory — just two different bases.

Is buying weight-loss injections privately safe and legal?

Yes, when you use a regulated UK provider — a prescriber registered with the CQC and a pharmacy registered with the GPhC. Avoid anyone selling prescription medicines without a proper consultation. A comparison site like this one shows regulatory status so you can check before you buy.

Can I get weight-loss injections on the NHS?

Sometimes. Since 23 June 2026 your own GP can prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on the NHS if you have a BMI of 35 or more plus at least four of five qualifying conditions — and not every practice has opted in. Wegovy is available only through NHS specialist weight-management services, which have long waits. Most people don't meet the NHS thresholds and are treated privately instead. If there's any chance you qualify, ask your GP first — it costs nothing.

How do I get weight-loss injections on the NHS?

Start with a GP appointment — every NHS route begins there. Your GP can either prescribe Mounjaro directly (if you meet the BMI-35-plus-four-conditions criteria and the practice has opted in), or refer you to an NHS specialist weight-management service (the only NHS route to Wegovy). Some areas also offer a GP referral to an NHS-contracted digital service. Every NHS prescription includes a lifestyle-support programme.

Who qualifies for weight-loss injections on the NHS?

For GP-prescribed Mounjaro: a BMI of 35 or more plus at least four of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnoea or abnormal blood fats (about 2.5 lower for some ethnic backgrounds). For a specialist service: a BMI of 35 or more with one weight-related condition, or 30–34.9 with a condition and referral criteria. A clinician makes the final decision. Private eligibility is broader — the UK licence allows BMI 30+, or 27+ with a weight-related condition.

Are weight-loss injections safe?

When prescribed and supervised by a regulated UK prescriber, GLP-1 weight-loss injections are licensed medicines with a well-studied safety profile. Like all medicines they have side effects — commonly nausea and digestive symptoms — and they aren't suitable for everyone, which is why a prescriber checks your health history first. The safety risk comes from unregulated sellers: only use a prescriber registered with the CQC and a pharmacy registered with the GPhC.

Are the rules the same in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Not exactly. The criteria above apply to NHS England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own pathways (for example through the Scottish Medicines Consortium and local health boards), so availability, thresholds and waits can differ. Check with your GP or local health board for the position where you live.

My BMI is just under 30 — can I still be prescribed?

Possibly, if you have a weight-related health condition (which lowers the threshold to 27), or if an adjusted threshold applies to your background. If your BMI is in the healthy range, weight-loss medication isn't appropriate. A prescriber makes the final decision after assessing you.

Does my ethnicity really change the BMI threshold?

UK guidance recommends a lower BMI threshold (by about 2.5) for several ethnic backgrounds because health risks can begin at a lower weight. Providers who apply this may consider you from a lower BMI. It's genuinely part of the guidance, not a marketing gimmick.

Is the matcher's result a diagnosis or a decision?

No. Our matcher gives an indication of whether you'd usually meet the criteria, to help you find suitable providers. It isn't a clinical decision — the prescriber you choose assesses you properly and decides.

Should I just pick the cheapest provider?

Not on the headline price alone. Compare the total monthly cost including extras, and weigh it against regulation, support and reliable supply. The cheapest 'from' price can become the dearest once add-ons and a supply gap are factored in.

Is it safe to buy weight-loss injections online?

It can be, from a regulated UK provider that runs a proper clinical consultation, is CQC-registered for prescribing and GPhC-registered for dispensing. Avoid unregulated sellers, compounded or unlicensed products, and anyone skipping the consultation.

How do I check a provider is properly registered?

Pharmacies are listed on the GPhC register and prescribing services on the CQC register — both are free to search. On this site we show regulatory status on each provider so you can check before choosing.

Which weight-loss injection should I choose?

That is a clinical decision for a registered prescriber, based on your health history, other medicines and how you tolerate treatment. We do not rank medicines by effectiveness. What we can help with is comparing what UK providers charge and what is included.

Is a generic version as good as the branded one?

A licensed generic contains the same active medicine as its branded equivalent and is held to the same regulatory standards, usually at a lower price. Branded and generic versions of the same molecule can both be prescribed; some people prefer the branded product. Your prescriber can advise.

Can I switch from one to another?

People do switch — for cost, supply, side effects or effectiveness — but it should be done with a prescriber's guidance, not by stopping and starting on your own. Our switch information can help you compare options if you're considering a change.

Can my provider stop me switching?

No. You're free to change provider at any time. They can apply agreed notice periods and any fees you genuinely signed up to — but they can't refuse to let you leave, and they must provide your records on request within one calendar month under UK GDPR.

Will I have to restart at the lowest dose with a new provider?

With a recent, verifiable record of your current dose — usually your pen's dispensing label — a full restart is not a clinical requirement. It's a decision for the new prescriber, who can continue you at your dose if satisfied with the evidence. A long gap in treatment is different, and may genuinely warrant restarting lower.

My provider offered me a discount when I tried to leave. Should I take it?

A retention offer is only worth what's guaranteed — ask how much, for how long, and get it in writing. A transient discount rarely beats a permanently lower ongoing price elsewhere. Compare the full 12-month cost, not this month's.

Is counting clicks accurate?

Not reliably. The pen is calibrated and tested to deliver its intended full doses; dispensing other amounts by click-counting isn't tested or guaranteed by the manufacturer, and accuracy can drift with temperature and repeated use.

I can't afford my current dose. What should I actually do?

Two safe moves: compare what other regulated providers charge at your prescribed dose — differences are often larger than people expect — and talk to your prescriber about your budget and options. Never adjust how you take a prescribed medicine without your prescriber knowing.

Why do people 'micro-dose' with clicks?

Usually to manage side effects or stretch supply between orders. Both are real problems with clinical answers — side-effect management and dose decisions are exactly what your prescriber is for, and they can only help if they know what you're actually taking.

Is Foundayo available in the UK now?

It's licensed (August 2026) and providers are listing it, but early availability is a mix of genuine stock and pre-orders while supply arrives. Ask any provider directly whether your order would dispatch now or is a pre-order with an expected date.

What does the black triangle on Foundayo mean?

It's the standard additional-monitoring symbol given to new medicines, meaning the regulator is actively collecting safety information. It's routine for a new launch, not a specific warning about this medicine.

Should I switch from my injection to the tablet?

That's a clinical decision for you and a registered prescriber — the medicines differ, and moving between them has its own dose considerations. Don't stop or swap on your own; discuss it at a proper consultation.

My provider says my dose is out of stock everywhere. Is that true?

Check independently rather than taking one supplier's word — supply differs between providers, and a comparison across the market shows quickly whether others have your medicine and dose. Universal-shortage claims that only one seller seems to be experiencing deserve scepticism.

Should I keep paying while my medicine is out of stock?

Ask, in writing, whether your billing pauses during the gap and when restock is expected. If payments continue while nothing is supplied and you can't get a straight answer, you're entitled to cancel — and a recurring card payment can be stopped via your own bank.

Back to compare

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the most common questions about private weight-loss medication in the UK. For deeper dives, see our full guides.

The medicines

What the main UK weight-loss medications are and how they differ.

Eligibility

Who these medicines are licensed for, and how BMI is used.

NHS vs private

When the NHS route is realistic, and when people go private.

Cost & what's included

What you'll actually pay each month once extras are counted.

Safety & regulation

How to check a provider is legitimate before you pay.

About WeightMedsCompare

How the comparison works and how we make money.

Still have a question?

Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the providers that fit your situation — region, budget, format and shared-care needs.

What are weight-loss injections?

What's the difference between Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda?

Are there tablets rather than injections?

How long do people usually stay on treatment?

What are the common side effects?

What BMI do I need?

Do the thresholds change for some ethnic groups?

My BMI is in the healthy range — can I still get treatment?

Who decides in the end?

Can I get weight-loss medication on the NHS?

Will my GP prescribe it for me?

Can I switch from private to the NHS later?

How much does it cost per month?

What should be included in the price?

Why do prices go up over time?

Can I claim it on insurance?

How do I know a provider is legitimate?

Is it safe to buy from a site with no consultation?

What monitoring should I expect?

How are providers ranked?

Where do the prices come from?

Do you give medical advice?

How do I get my clinic listed?

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