Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) Prescribing Status:
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is being introduced for NHS weight management from 2025/2026, targeting patients with a BMI of 40+ or 37.5+ for certain ethnic backgrounds. Eligibility strictly requires having four or more weight-related comorbidities—such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea—alongside a lifestyle program.
Eligibility:
- Age: 18 or older.
- BMI > 40 kg/m²: standard threshold.
- BMI > 37.5kg/m²: For South Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean backgrounds.
Comorbidities: At least four of the following conditions must be present:
- Type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Heart disease (cardiovascular disease).
- Obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia).
Access and Availability
- Rollout: Phased introduction is occurring during 2025, with wider integration into primary care via GP contracts from April 2026.
- Requirement: It is prescribed alongside a mandatory, supervised, reduced-calorie diet and lifestyle management programme.
- Exclusions: It is not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those with a history of pancreatitis.