Treatments
Weight loss treatments
Licensed weight-management treatments in the UK are prescription-only medicines, prescribed after clinical assessment where they are appropriate. They work by acting on appetite regulation rather than on fat directly, which is why they are used alongside dietary and activity change rather than instead of it.
Mounjaro
Licensed for weight managementTirzepatide · Once-weekly subcutaneous injection
Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a once-weekly injection licensed in the UK for weight management. It activates two gut hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1, which together reduce appetite and slow how quickly the stomach empties.
Read the full guideWegovy
Licensed for weight managementSemaglutide · Once-weekly subcutaneous injection
Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide 2.4 mg, a once-weekly injection licensed in the UK for weight management. It acts on the GLP-1 receptor, reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying so that people feel full sooner and for longer.
Read the full guideSaxenda
Licensed for weight managementLiraglutide · Once-daily subcutaneous injection
Saxenda is the brand name for liraglutide 3.0 mg, a once-daily injection licensed in the UK for weight management. Like the weekly treatments it acts on the GLP-1 receptor to reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying, but liraglutide has a shorter duration of action, which is why it must be injected every day rather than once a week..
Read the full guideOzempic
Licensed, other indicationSemaglutide · Once-weekly subcutaneous injection
Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. It is not licensed for weight loss in the UK.
Read the full guideIn this section
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide)MHRA-authorised for weight management.
- Wegovy (semaglutide)Licensed for weight management.
- Saxenda (liraglutide)Daily liraglutide for weight management.
- Ozempic (semaglutide)Licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight management.
- Compare TreatmentsSide-by-side on mechanism, dosing and evidence.
- Am I Eligible?BMI thresholds, comorbidities and exclusions.
- How to Buy Weight Loss Medication SafelyThe three lawful routes, and how to check a pharmacy is registered.
- Price Transparency StudyOriginal data: what nine UK providers actually show before assessing you.
Treatment options and pricing are discussed following clinical assessment, as required for prescription-only medicines.
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