A prescriber needs to consider your overall health, your medical history, the current medicines you are taking and whether the treatment is appropriate for you.
So, who can actually be prescribed Mounjaro for weight management?
What is the BMI criteria to be on Mounjaro?
For weight management, the Mounjaro information leaflet states that it can be used in adults with:
A BMI of 30kg/m² or above
This falls within the BMI category of obesity.
Or:
A BMI of 27kg/m² to below 30kg/m²
In this group, the person must also have at least one weight-related health condition.
Examples listed in Mounjaro information leaflet include:
- high blood pressure
- abnormal levels of blood fats
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- cardiovascular disease
- prediabetes
- type 2 diabetes
Mounjaro is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Does your BMI automatically mean you can get Mounjaro?
In short, No.
BMI is used as part of the eligibility assessment, but it isn't the only consideration.
Your prescriber may also need to consider your medical history, other health conditions, medicines you take and whether there are any reasons that may deem Mounjaro inappropriate for you.
For example, the Mounjaro product information contains warnings and precautions related to conditions like pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease and diabetic retinopathy complications. There are also important considerations around pregnancy and certain medicines.
This is why prescribing weight management treatment should involve an individual clinical assessment rather than being based on BMI alone.
What if my BMI is below 27kg/m²?
Starting Mounjaro for weight management with an initial BMI below 27kg/m² is outside its licensed indication. NICE's NHS recommendation uses an initial BMI threshold of at least 35kg/m² with at least one weight-related health condition, usually lowering that threshold by 2.5kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds. This NHS adjustment does not change the licensed starting BMI criteria.
Your healthcare professional will assess each case individually before deciding your eligibility and what appropriate options are there for you.
What if my BMI is between 27kg/m² and 30kg/m²?
You may still meet the licensed BMI criteria for Mounjaro if you have at least one weight-related health condition.
This can include conditions such as high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
However, meeting any of these criteria does not guarantee that prescribing Mounjaro will be appropriate. A prescriber needs to assess your individual circumstances in all cases.
Can you get Mounjaro from your GP?
This depends on whether you meet the relevant NHS criteria and where you live.
NICE recommends tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity in adults with specific circumstances. NHS access is not necessarily the same as the full licensed indication.
In England, NHS access is being introduced in phases through both specialist weight management services and primary care, subject to NHS England's commissioning criteria and local service availability.
This is an important distinction:
Licensed indication and NHS eligibility are not the same thing.
A medicine can be licensed for a particular group of people while NHS prescribing is subject to additional NICE recommendations and local implementation.
Can a private pharmacy prescribe Mounjaro?
A private pharmacy may be able to provide Mounjaro following an appropriate clinical assessment, provided the prescription is clinically appropriate and the service's prescribing criteria are met.
The prescriber still has a responsibility to make an individual clinical decision.
This means completing a questionnaire or meeting a BMI threshold does not guarantee that treatment will be prescribed.
The MHRA has also reminded patients to obtain GLP-1 medicines through legitimate healthcare channels and to follow the instructions of the healthcare professional who prescribed them.
What happens before Mounjaro is prescribed?
A prescriber should assess whether Mounjaro is appropriate for you.
Depending on the service and your circumstances, this may include reviewing:
- Your height and weight to obtain your BMI
- Your medical history
- Your current and previous medicines
- Any relevant health conditions you might have
- Previous weight-management treatment tried
- Any other information that could affect the safety or suitability of treatment
You may also be asked to provide information or evidence to support parts of your consultation.
The purpose is not simply to determine whether you meet a BMI number.
It is to make sure the treatment is appropriate for you.
Can you get Mounjaro if you have another medical condition?
Possibly, but it depends on the condition and your individual circumstances.
Some health conditions can affect whether Mounjaro is suitable or requires additional care.
You should tell your prescriber about all your medical conditions and medicines, including prescription medicines, medicines bought from a pharmacy or supermarket, and supplements.
Never leave out medical information because you think it might affect whether you qualify for treatment.
Giving your prescriber complete and accurate information helps them make a safer decision.
What if you've used Mounjaro before?
Previous use of Mounjaro does not automatically mean you should restart treatment at the same previous dose.
If you've stopped treatment and are considering starting again, the reason you stopped and your previous treatment history are relevant.
NICE advises that people who previously used tirzepatide should have their circumstances considered before restarting. For example, if treatment was stopped because of confirmed pancreatitis, tirzepatide should not be restarted.
If you've previously taken Mounjaro, tell your prescriber when you last used it, what dose you were taking and why you stopped.
The main thing to remember
There isn't one simple test that determines whether you can take Mounjaro.
Your BMI is important, but it is only part of the assessment.
For weight management, the licensed indication covers adults with a BMI of 30kg/m² or above, or adults with a BMI of 27kg/m² to below 30kg/m² who also have at least one weight-related health condition.
NICE's NHS recommendations use lower BMI thresholds for certain ethnic backgrounds. These adjustments apply to NHS eligibility and do not change the licensed starting BMI criteria.
A prescriber then needs to consider whether treatment is suitable and safe for you.
Mounjaro should also be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity as part of a wider approach to weight management.
Frequently asked questions
What BMI do I need to be on Mounjaro for weight loss?
The licensed indication includes adults with a BMI of 30kg/m² or above, or a BMI of 27kg/m² to below 30kg/m² with at least one weight-related health condition. NICE's NHS ethnicity adjustments do not change these licensed starting criteria.
Can I get Mounjaro with a BMI of 28kg/m²?
You may meet the BMI part of the licensed indication, but you also need at least one weight-related health condition. A prescriber must then assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
Can I get Mounjaro if my BMI is 25kg/m²?
Starting Mounjaro for weight management at an initial BMI of 25kg/m² is outside its licensed indication. NICE's ethnicity adjustment to its separate NHS thresholds does not change this. A prescriber can discuss appropriate options for your circumstances.
Do I automatically qualify if my BMI is over 30kg/m²?
No. BMI is one part of the assessment. Your medical history, current medicines and other factors also need to be considered before Mounjaro is prescribed.
Is Mounjaro available on the NHS?
NICE has recommended tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity in specific circumstances, but NHS eligibility and access can differ from the medicine's full licensed indication.
Can I get Mounjaro from an online pharmacy?
Some registered online pharmacies offer private prescribing services. You should complete a proper clinical assessment and only obtain prescription medicines from a legitimate pharmacy.
Related articles
You may also find these useful:
- How Does Mounjaro Work?
- What Can You Eat While Taking Mounjaro?
- Mounjaro Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Get Help
Considering Mounjaro?
If you're considering Mounjaro for weight management, GENMEDS offers an online consultation where a prescriber can assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
If prescribed, Mounjaro should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
