Dear Patients,
There has understandably been interest in tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight loss, and queries around obtaining prescriptions on the NHS.
NHS England and NICE have set rules about who can get this for weight loss and have planned a phased rollout in Primary Care but only as part of a commissioned service and currently only to those who meet the following criteria:
To be prescribed tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) people must:
- Have a BMI of 40 or more, and
- Have at least four or more of the following health conditions:
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidaemia
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
This may change in future, and we will update this information accordingly.
Thank you for your understanding.
The Partners, Swarland Avenue Surgery
Information for those who are already prescribed tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) privately or are thinking about this:
Full responsibility for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) prescribing remains with the private provider. They may ask you to provide information about your BMI and past medical history. It is in the interest of safety for you to answer these questions accurately. Further information about your health and medical history can be found on the NHS app.
Tirzepatide can affect the absorption of hormonal medication such as those taken for contraception and HRT. Again, it is the responsibility of the prescriber to make you aware of this, but we are happy to assess and optimise your other medications appropriately. If you are starting tirzepatide or switching to tirzepatide from ANY other GLP-1 agonist then you should use a barrier method of contraception (such as a condom) for four weeks after the switch, and for four weeks after any increases in dose, while also continuing your oral contraception. It is important that you do not get pregnant whilst using tirzepatide.