Medication for Weight Management
There have been several news reports recently about the NHS roll out of weight loss injections in general practice, including the medication Tirzepatide (also known as Mounjaro).
Unfortunately only a very small amount of patients will be eligible for this over the next 12 months according to national guidance. Weight loss injections also must be used in conjunction with ‘wrap around care,’ such as information about diet and exercise to help with nutrition and lifestyle.
If you would like to consider other weight management options, please book an appointment with a healthcare assistant to discuss what is available to you.
Who can be prescribed weight loss injections?
The following patients may be suitable for the injection if you meet all of the following criteria:
Your BMI is > 40 kg/m2 or BMI > 37.5 kg/m2 for patients from a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean background (you can check your BMI here if you know your height and weight).
AND you have at least FOUR of the FIVE following conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease (e.g. previous heart attack or stroke, angina, heart failure)
- High blood pressure (on treatment)
- Type 2 Diabetes
- High cholesterol / lipid levels
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
If you do not meet this criteria you will not be eligible for the injection.
We therefore ask that you do not contact the surgery to check if you are eligible.
The practice will be contacting patients who may be eligible for the injection through clinical searches of the patient records.
Further Information
Further information on the use of Tirzepatide for weight loss is available on the NHS website NHS England » Weight management injections.
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