NHS England has announced that prescriptions for the weight-loss injection Mounjaro will be available at GPs from today.
The injection will only be available for a limited number of patients, with prescriptions reserved for those with the highest health risks who meet strict criteria.
Patients will be eligible for Mounjaro prescriptions for the management of obesity where a clinician considers it an appropriate treatment and if they have four or more of the following weight related health problems, as well as BMI of 40 and over:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Abnormal blood fats or dyslipidaemia
According to the NHS website, only patients who meet this criteria will be eligible to receive Mounjaro, and simply meeting the criteria does not guarantee access to the weight-loss injection.
Criteria for this medication will likely be expanded in the future, allowing more people access to these weight-loss injections after a review process is completed.
What is Mounjaro?
Tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro) is a weight-loss medicine that makes you feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry.
Patients prescribed Mounjaro will need to inject themselves with the drug once per week, and they will be shown how to do this by their GP if they qualify for prescription.
The NHS advises that if you are prescribed Mounjaro , you will need to eat a balanced, reduced calorie diet and exercise regularly whilst taking the medicine.
The medication is not recommended if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have certain health conditions.
It may also interfere with the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy.
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