Weight loss medication Posted or Updated on 18 Mar 2025

Update on the Use of Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for Managing Overweight and Obesity

On December 24, 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) released guidelines about the use of Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for managing overweight and obesity. Here's what you need to know:

• For now, Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) should not be prescribed in primary care (GPs) for weight loss in people with obesity or overweight.
• NICE has said that NHS England will release more detailed guidelines early in 2025. These will explain how Mounjaro can be used in the NHS and will help local health services know how to offer it to patients.
• In Kent and Medway, we will follow these guidelines to make sure all patients are treated fairly. This may start with the people who need the medication the most, and the process will be rolled out slowly over time.
• The full guidelines on how Mounjaro will be prescribed in the NHS will be ready by mid-2025. This will help ensure that patients get safe treatment, with support like diet and lifestyle advice.
• If you've been prescribed Mounjaro privately, your private provider will continue to manage your treatment. NHS and private treatments will be kept separate to ensure fairness. For more details, please check the information on how private prescriptions and NHS treatment will work together.

Important Notes:

• This update does not affect people with type 2 diabetes who may be eligible for Mounjaro as part of their treatment. Mounjaro is recommended for treating type 2 diabetes in specific situations, such as when other medications aren’t working well.

Other Important Information:

• There should be no prescribing of other medications like Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight loss outside of approved guidelines.
• Wegovy, another weight loss treatment, is only available through specialist weight loss services in Kent and Medway and should not be prescribed by GPs.

We'll keep you updated as more information becomes available, and we’ll share more details about how Mounjaro can be accessed through the NHS as the guidelines are finalized.

For detailed information:

Overview | Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity | Guidance | NICE

NICE describes how weight loss drug tirzepatide will be rolled out | NICE

Information on prescriptions issues after private consultation :: NHS Kent and Medway

Mixing private and NHS treatment :: NHS Kent and Medway