Weight-loss medication in the UK: every option, one comparison

Our tables track three MHRA-licensed options: Mounjaro (tirzepatide, a weekly injection), the Wegovy injection (semaglutide, also weekly) and the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide, a daily tablet approved in June 2026). An older tablet, orlistat, is also licensed in the UK but works by a different mechanism and sits outside our GLP-1 price index.

In its main trial (SURMOUNT-1, 72 weeks), Mounjaro averaged 22.5% body-weight loss at the 15 mg dose. The Wegovy injection averaged about 15% over 68 weeks in STEP 1, and the Wegovy pill about 13.6% over 64 weeks in OASIS 4. A direct head-to-head (SURMOUNT-5) put tirzepatide at roughly 20% versus about 14% for semaglutide. These are trial averages — individual results vary widely, and the right medication for you is a decision for a prescriber.

UK providers typically prescribe privately for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 and above alongside a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea. Most now ask for photo or video verification of height and weight, and the prescriber can decline. Meeting the thresholds is the starting point, not a guarantee.

Yes — the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) became the UK's first needle-free GLP-1 medicine when the MHRA approved it in June 2026. It is taken daily on an empty stomach with a 30-minute wait before eating, and averaged about 13.6% body-weight loss in its 64-week trial. It is new to the market: only two of our 24 tracked providers list it so far, from £99 for the 1.5 mg starter month.

Every provider dispenses the same UK-licensed stock, but each sets its own margin and bundles different levels of support — from bare dispensing to coaching apps and dietitian access. Across our dataset the widest same-dose gap is £90 per month (Wegovy 1 mg: £109 at the cheapest provider versus £199 at the dearest), which is why comparing before you subscribe matters.

We only list pharmacies registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or clinics regulated by the Care Quality Commission, all dispensing genuine manufacturer stock against a prescription. We never list unregulated sellers or so-called compounded copies — buying weight-loss medicines outside regulated channels is dangerous, whatever the price.

Partially. The Wegovy injection is available through NHS specialist weight-management services (NICE TA875) for a limited period. Mounjaro is recommended by NICE (TA1026) and is being rolled out on the NHS in phases from 2025, prioritising the highest clinical need, so access varies by area. The Wegovy pill is private-only as of mid-2026. Most people currently using these medicines in the UK pay privately.