Weight Loss Medications

Weight Loss Medications at Ramsay Health Care UK

Ramsay’s expert weight loss specialists have helped change the lives of patients across the UK. We are committed to helping you on every step of your weight loss journey with information, care, and the special attention that makes all the difference.

Ramsay Health Care UK delivers consultant-led care. Your treatment will be initiated and supervised by a doctor experienced in weight management.

You will have a face-to-face appointment with your specialist to discuss weight loss, possible treatments, and your expectations to help you find the right plan for you. They will agree when to follow-up with you to provide ongoing support throughout your weight loss journey.

Our specialist dietitians can provide advice on how to make lasting changes to your diet (appointments charged separately).

If you are already using a weight loss treatment, you can still book an appointment with one of our specialists and/or dietitians to review your progress and help you stay on the right track.

Following your appointment with a specialist, one of the treatment options that might be suitable for you is weight loss injections.

Which weight loss injections are available?

There are currently three weight loss injections approved in the UK. They can all reduce appetite and food cravings, which helps contribute to weight loss alongside diet and regular exercise.

Semaglutide (Wegovy®) is a once weekly injection for weight management and to reduce cardiovascular risk (heart attacks and strokes). Lower doses of semaglutide are in the diabetes medication ‘Ozempic’.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is a once weekly injection for weight management and type 2 diabetes.

Liraglutide (Saxenda®) is a once daily injection for weight management. This was available before Wegovy® and Mounjaro® but appears to be less effective for weight loss.

 

Which weight loss medications are available at Ramsay Health Care UK?

At Ramsay Health Care UK, your specialist may offer Wegovy® or Mounjaro® weight loss injections, Mysimba tablets, or orlistat capsules (generic or the brands Alli and Xenical).

Wegovy Flextouch® (semaglutide)

What is Wegovy®?

Wegovy® comes as a prefilled injection pen containing four once weekly doses of the medicine ‘semaglutide’ (one pen lasts one month). For eligible people, it can lead to significant weight loss when combined with calorie-reduced diet and increased physical exercise.
Wegovy FlexTouch® is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, and was first approved by UK medicine regulators for weight management in May 2022. Find out more here.

A close-up of a few wegovy syringes

How does Wegovy® work?

Semaglutide (Wegovy®) is similar to the hormone ‘GLP-1’, and so can act on GLP-1 receptors to suppress appetite and food cravings. This leads to weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. Semaglutide is slightly different from GLP-1 in our bodies, as it lasts about seven days, meaning just a once weekly injection.

Wegovy® side effects

Every medicine has side-effects and some of those for Wegovy are listed below. These should be discussed with your specialist before starting treatment. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet for further information view here.


Very common (1 in 10 people): headache, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue


Common (1 in 10 to 100 people): dizziness, reflux / indigestion, flatulence, hair loss, gallstones, injection site reactions


Uncommon (1 in 100 to 1000 people): acute pancreatitis, (which is likely to require a hospital admission and treatment), delayed gastric emptying, increased heart rate


Rare (1 in 1000 – 10,000 people): anaphylaxis, angioedema (sudden swelling in part of the body, often caused by an allergic reaction) will require an immediate emergency response from 999.

How to use Wegovy®

Wegovy is injected once weekly on the same day each week. It can be used at any time of day and with or without meals. 

The injection goes into the layer of fat under the skin in the stomach, upper leg, or upper arm. You need to check the area you inject for skin reactions like redness or blistering.

You will be provided with instructions on how to self-inject, sterile needles to do this safely, and a sharps bin for disposal. It’s important the injections and needles are kept out of sight and reach of children and all sharps are only disposed of in the sharps bin.

Weight loss injections must not be used if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding. Effective contraception should be used at all times.

How long does it take for Wegovy® to work?

Wegovy is quickly absorbed by the body, reaching maximum levels within a few days. The medicine starts to work immediately, and people generally see weight loss within 4-8 weeks. This weight loss can continue for over 12 months with changes to diet and regular exercise.

It is important that you don’t lose too much weight too quickly, and your specialist will be able to provide advice specific to your goals.

What weight loss results can be achieved with Wegovy®?

Participants in the STEP-1 and STEP-2 clinical trials lost significantly more weight than those using placebo injections at 68weeks. 
Losing weight also led to other benefits such as reduced waist circumference, blood pressure, and improved blood sugar control (HbA1c). Participants reported improved physical and mental health.
Without long-term changes to diet and regular exercise, weight can be regained including when you stop using the injections.

  Semaglutide Placebo
Average starting
bodyweight		 105.4kg
(1,306 people)		 105.2kg
(655 people)
Average weight
loss		 15.3kg 2.6kg
% bodyweight
lost		 14.9% 2.4%

Reference: Wilding, J. P., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., & Kushner, R. F. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002 review here.

Mounjaro KwikPen® (tirzepatide)

What is Mounjaro®?

Mounjaro® is a once weekly injection containing the medicine ‘tirzepatide’. For the right people, it is effective for weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. It comes as a prefilled pen containing four weekly doses (one pen lasts one month).


Mounjaro KwikPen is manufactured by Eli Lily, and was first approved in the UK for type 2 diabetes and weight loss in January 2024. In the United States, the medicine is known as ‘Zepbound’.


Find out more about Mounjaro here.

A close-up of a few Mounjaro syringes

How does Mounjaro® work?

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) has a similar structure to the hormone GIP (‘gastric inhibitory polypeptide’). It is able to act on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors to suppress appetite and food cravings, which can lead to weight loss alongside diet and regular physical exercise.

The GIP hormone is broken down quickly by the body in just a few minutes. The medicine tirzepatide lasts much longer, so only needs to be injected once a week.

Mounjaro® side effects

Some of the side-effects of Mounjaro are listed below. More detailed information is available in the Patient Information Leaflet (Link) and should be discussed with your specialist. 


Very common (1 in 10 people): nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, low blood sugar when used with certain diabetes medicines


Common (1 in 10 to 100 people): dizziness, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, heartburn / indigestion, flatulence, hair loss, fatigue, 


Uncommon (1 in 100 to 1000 people): altered taste, gallstones, increased heart rate


Rare (1 in 1000 – 10,000 people): anaphylaxis, angioedema (sudden swelling in part of the body, often caused by an allergic reaction) this will require an immediate emergency response from 999.

How to use Mounjaro®

Mounjaro is injected once a week on the same day each week if possible. It can be used at any time of day and with or without meals. 

The injection goes into the layer of fat under the skin in the stomach, upper leg, or upper arm. You need to check the area you inject for skin reactions like redness or blistering.

You will be provided with instructions on how to self-inject, sterile needles to do this safely, and a sharps bin for disposal. It’s important the injections and needles are kept out of sight and reach of children and all sharps are only disposed of in the sharps bin.

Weight loss injections must not be used if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding. Effective contraception should be used at all times.

How long does it take for Mounjaro® to work?

Mounjaro is only effective alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. Its important you don’t lose too much weight too quickly, and your specialist will be able to provide advice specific to your goals. Generally, people start to see weight loss after 4-8 weeks, which can continue for over 12 months with changes to diet and regular exercise.

What weight loss results can be achieved with Mounjaro®?

People without diabetes in the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial lost significantly more weight than those using placebo injections at 72weeks. This result was similar for the with type 2 diabetes in the SURMOUNT-2 clinical trial.
In these trials, losing weight led to other benefits such as reduced waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, and improved blood sugars (HbA1c). Participants reported improved physical and mental health.
Without long-term changes to diet and regular exercise, weight can be regained including when you stop using the injections.

  Tirzepatide
5mg		 Tirzepatide
10mg		 Tirzepatide
15mg		 Placebo
Average starting
bodyweight		 102.9kg
(630 people) 		105.9kg
(636 people) 		105.5kg
(630 people) 		104.8kg
(643 people)
Average
weight loss		 16.1kg 22.2kg 23.6kg 2.4kg
% bodyweight
lost		 16.0% 21.4% 22.5% 2.4%

Reference: Jastreboff, A. M., Aronne, L. J., Ahmad, N. N., Wharton, S., Connery, L., Alves, B., & Stefanski, A. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216 review here.

How do weight loss injections work?

Wegovy® and Mounjaro® are similar to hormones released by the intestines after eating a meal. People using the injections generally feel less hungry, fuller, with fewer food cravings. These effects can lead to weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise.

Semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®) is similar to the hormone GLP-1. This hormone only lasts a few minutes in the body, whereas semaglutide lasts about seven days.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which work together to suppress appetite and improve blood sugar control. Tirzepatide also lasts for about a week in the body.

Are weight loss injections or tablets right for me?

Anyone over 18 years can book to see one of our weight loss specialists or dietitians. Not everyone is eligible or suitable for weight loss injections (i.e allergies to the ingredients). Weight loss medications such as Wegovy® and Mounjaro® can only be prescribed if you are overweight, for example:

⦁    BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity), or
⦁    BMI ≥27 kg/m2 (overweight) and at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or obstructive sleep apnoea

You can find out more about BMI and submit your height and weight into our BMI calculator to work out your BMI here.

Weight loss injections must not be used if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding. Effective contraception should be used at all times.

There are also tablets and capsules available for weight management, including orlistat and Mysimba®. These appear to be less effective than Wegovy® or Mounjaro®, but are the right option for some people. 

  Once weekly injections Once daily injection Tablets / Capsules
  Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) Wegovy® (semaglutide) Saxenda® (liraglutide) Orlistat Mysimba® (naltrexone / bupropion)
How does
it work?		 These work on hormone receptors so you feel less hungry, fuller, with fewer
food cravings. This can lead to reduced calorie intake and weight loss when
combined with regular physical exercise.		 Reduces the amount of fat your body
absorbs from food.		 Not fully understood, but acts on
parts of the brain to reduce appetite
and cravings.
How do I
take it?		 Once weekly injection
(you will be shown
how to use)		 Once weekly injection
(you will be shown
how to use)		 Once daily injection (you
will be shown how to
use)		 Capsules to swallow Tablets to swallow
Does the
dosage
change?		 Dose can be adjusted
every month.
Maximum strength is
15mg.		 Dose can be adjusted
every month.
Maximum strength is
2.4mg.		 Dose can be adjusted
every week. Maximum
strength is 3mg.		 Dose of 120mg (one capsule) three
times daily can be reduced if you have
side-effects.		 Increased weekly initially. Maximum
two tablets twice daily.
How long
does it take
to work?		 These medicines start working quickly once injected. People generally start
to notice weight loss after 4-8 weeks.		 Each capsule reduces fat absorbed
from food, so you will notice this
straight away. Weight loss will take longer.		 Maximum effect can take a few
weeks of taking daily to reduce your
cravings. Weight loss will take longer.
How much
weight can
I lose		 People lost an
average 20%
bodyweight (72-week
clinical trial)a		 People lost an average
15% bodyweight (104-
week clinical trial)b		 About 5% people in trials
lost 10% or more of their
starting bodyweightc		 About 2.5% people in trials lost 10%
or more of their starting bodyweightc		 About 5% people in trials lost 10% or
more of their starting bodyweightc

References
a.   Jastreboff, A. M., Aronne, L. J., Ahmad, N. N., Wharton, S., Connery, L., Alves, B., & Stefanski, A. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216 review here.
b.   Garvey, W. T., Batterham, R. L., Bhatta, M., Buscemi, S., Christensen, L. N., Frias, J. P.. (2022). Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: STEP 5 trial. Nature Medicine, 28(10), 2083-2091 review here.
c.   Shi, Q., Wang, Y., Hao, Q., Vandvik, P. O., Guyatt, G., Li, J. & Li, S. (2022). Pharmacotherapy for adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The Lancet, 399(10321), 259-269 review here.

How much do weight loss injections cost?

If you and your specialist agree to start weight loss injections, they will give you a private prescription (you pay the full cost). Insurance companies and the NHS do not pay for this private treatment. 

Initial appointment with specialist £200-250
Follow-up appointment with specialist £100-150
Consultation with dietitian £100-150

 

Month Mounjaro®
1-2 2.5mg, 5mg £156
3-4 7.5mg, 10mg £182
5 – onwards 12.5mg, 15mg £207

 

Month Wegovy®
1-3 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg £125
4 1.7mg £212
5 – onwards 2.4mg £298

Pricing is subject to change and will be confirmed before treatment.

What side effects can weight loss injections cause?

Every medicine has risks and benefits. These will be discussed with your specialist before starting to find the right treatment for you and explain how to manage any symptoms.

Common side-effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and heartburn. These are usually mild and short-term, but some people will need to stop treatment. See patient information leaflets for further information.

Occasionally people experience more severe side-effects, which can include:

⦁    Gallstones or gallbladder inflammation may occur in 1 in every 10 to 1000 people*. This can cause persistent pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and a high temperature. If you have these symptoms you should see your GP and may need further treatment in hospital.
⦁    Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) may occur in 1 in 100-1000 people*, causing sudden and severe abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, and a high temperature. This is usually managed with admission to hospital for treatment.
⦁    Bowel obstruction where the intestines becomes blocked is rare (1 in 1000 to 10,000 people*). This may cause a swollen abdomen, pain or tenderness, vomiting, and constipation. This is usually managed with admission to hospital and in some extreme cases surgery.
⦁    In type 2 diabetes, rapidly improving blood sugars can cause worsening vision problems or blindness (retinopathy), hypoglycaemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis. Your specialist will provide advice to reduce this risk by increasing the dose slowly.
*Based on manufacturer Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Patient Information Leaflets (PIL) should be consulted for more detailed information; Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Saxenda.

What are the differences between weight loss injections? Which is the most effective?

Mounjaro® and Wegovy® appear to be more effective than other currently available treatments for weight loss. Tirzaperatide may be more effective than semaglutide for weight loss, but the different doses and duration of therapy make this difficult to compare – further research is required.

Wegovy® is also licensed in the UK to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), and so may be a better option for people who are at risk of these conditions.

Weight Loss Outcomes with UK Approved Medications

 

Effect of lifestyle modification alone estimated from placebo arms within the original studies with at least 1 year follow-up duration

a. Jastreboff, A. M., Aronne, L. J., Ahmad, N. N., Wharton, S., Connery, L., Alves, B., & Stefanski, A. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216. review here.

b. Garvey, W. T., Batterham, R. L., Bhatta, M., Buscemi, S., Christensen, L. N., Frias, J. P.. (2022). Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: STEP 5 trial. Nature Medicine, 28(10), 2083-2091. review here.

c. Shi, Q., Wang, Y., Hao, Q., Vandvik, P. O., Guyatt, G., Li, J. & Li, S. (2022). Pharmacotherapy for adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The Lancet, 399(10321), 259-269. review here.

What are the alternatives to weight loss injections?

Injections are just one option to help support long-term weight loss, alongside sustainable changes to your diet and undertaking regular physical exercise. Other options that can help people to lose weight include: support groups, evidence-based apps, tablets, injections, and bariatric surgery.

Weight loss advice and guidance is available at www.nhs.uk. Your GP or local pharmacy can provide more information on what’s available in your local area.

If you are considering weight loss surgery, further information can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best injection for weight loss?

There is no ‘best injection’ for weight loss. All have been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials, approved by the UK medicine regulator the ‘MHRA’. Your specialist will discuss which may suit you the best given your medical history, balancing your weight loss goals with possible side-effects.

Are weight loss injections safe?

The weight loss injections prescribed by our specialists are licensed for this purpose in the UK. This means the manufacturer has submitted clinical trial data showing that the medicines are safe and effective to the medicine regulator the MHRA.

Do weight loss injections work?

Yes, all the available weight loss injections are effective when combined with calorie-reduced diet and increased physical activity. Without lifestyle changes, weight loss may be limited, or you may even gain weight and need to stop using the injections.

How do weight loss injections work?

Wegovy® and Mounjaro® mimic hormones released by the intestines after eating, so people generally feel less hungry, fuller, with fewer food cravings

What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill?

The only licensed pills available for weight loss in the UK are orlistat and Mysima. These work in different ways to each other and the injections, and your specialist will be able to explain the differences, and which may be best for you.

How long does weight loss injections take to work?

Weight loss injections are increased slowly over a number of months to help reduce the risk of side-effects. People normally start to notice effects on their appetite within days to week, but losing weight safely is a longer term goal over months to years.

Can I get weight loss injections on the NHS?

Yes. Not everyone is eligible as this depends on NICE approval and availability in your local area. Your GP may be able to prescribe weight loss medications or refer you to a specialist who can.

Can I switch between the different weight loss injections?

Yes – although it’s normally recommended that you start at the lowest dose of the new injection and build up slowly. This helps reduce the risk of side-effects from switching between medications.

References

References 
EEli Lilly and Company Limited. 2024. SmPC: Mounjaro KwikPen 10mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen - information can be found here.
Neon Healthcare Ltd. 2023. SmPC: Xenical 120 mg hard capsules - information can be found here.
Novo Nordisk Limited. 2024. SmPC: Saxenda 6 mg/mL solution for injection in pre-filled pen - information can be found here.
Novo Nordisk Limited. 2024. SmPC: Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen - information can be found here.
NICE. (2020). TA664: Liraglutide for managing overweight and obesity - information can be found here.
NICE. (2023). CG189: Obesity: identification, assessment and management - information can be found here.
NICE (2023). TA875: Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity - information can be found here.
NICE (2024). ID6179: Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity - information can be found here.
Orexigen Therapeutics Ireland Limited. 2023. SmPC: Mysimba 8 mg/90 mg prolonged-release tablets - information can be found here.

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