What are the injectable medications for weight loss?
Liraglutide (Saxenda®), semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) are medications to help people living with obesity to lose weight, alongside a healthy diet and physical activity. Liraglutide is given as a daily injection, whilst semaglutide and tirzepatide are weekly injections. Liraglutide and semaglutide are used for up to 2 years. Tirzepatide may be used for longer. However, it is common to re-gain weight quickly after stopping these medications.
Can my GP prescribe them?
No, not currently. Even though the media has announced these are available to prescribe by GPs from 23rd June 25, NHS Devon have not, as yet, approved the prescribing of these drugs within General Practice.
National guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on eligible groups and does not recommend GPs prescribe liraglutide (Saxenda®) or semaglutide (Wegovy®) for obesity. These medicines are only to be used within specialist weight management services.
Tirzepatide is the most recent medication to be recommended by NICE (December 2024) for some eligible groups for managing obesity. NICE and NHS England have announced it will take 12 years to fully implement the guidance recommendations. This means it will not be available to everyone meeting the criteria in the NICE guidance straight away.
Tirzepatide will be available first in specialist weight management services, starting in spring 2025. From the summer of 2025, it is expected to start being available outside of specialist services, but still alongside a programme of diet and nutrition support and increased physical activity. This support is an essential part of being prescribed these injections.
As part of the phased roll out, tirzepatide will initially be offered to adults with the most significant health problems related to their weight. NHS England will publish further details soon about which patients will be eligible first.
We will update this page with further information if the situation changes.
What if I am receiving treatment for diabetes?
Patients who are eligible for liraglutide, semaglutide (Ozempic®/ Rybelsus®), dulaglutide (Trulicity®), tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) to manage their Type 2 diabetes can be started on treatment and can continue to take their medication in line with local guidance.
Can my GP prescribe tirzepatide, semaglutide or liraglutide for weight loss that has been started privately?
No, your GP cannot prescribe tirzepatide, semaglutide or liraglutide for weight loss that may have been started privately.
Where weight loss injections have been started privately, the prescriber is responsible for your healthcare.
It is important that you seek initial guidance from the service that you have selected to provide the injection and should you become unwell or require further information or support after commencing weight loss injections it is important that you seek advice from the prescriber. This helps them to ensure that their prescribing is safe.
Where can I get help to lose weight?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that can help you work out if your weight is healthy and which services may be appropriate for you. Use the NHS BMI calculator to work out and understand your BMI. You will need your height and weight.
Self-help resources
The NHS Better Health website is a great place to start for advice on losing weight, as well as getting active, drinking less and quitting smoking. Here you will find:
- the free NHS Weight Loss Plan app
- Advice and tools to get started
- Free weight loss programmes available nationally
- Special offers on other weight loss plans
Information on services available in Devon are available from My Health Devon
If you are living with obesity and also have diabetes or high blood pressure, the 12 week NHS National Digital Weight Management Programme could help you.
If you are eligible and would like to access this programme, ask your local pharmacy or GP practice to refer you.
Specialist weight management services
These services provide 12 months of intensive support delivered by a team of specialists, including dieticians, physical activity specialists and psychologists. Each service has a range of ways to access which the service will discuss with you.
Information on specialist weight management services in Devon can be found here
These specialist services can also help prepare and refer you for possible bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery), if that is the most appropriate option for you.
