Mounjaro – Weight loss drug

Posted on June 24th, 2025

Weight Management – My Condition – MyHealth Devon

Tirzepatide, known as Mounjaro, is a weight loss drug that, up to now has only been prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes. Recently published NHS guidance is now recommending this is also considered as an option for managing overweight and obesity, alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Because of expected high demand for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), there will be a national phased roll out for people who fit specific criteria. For the first three years this will be:

The weight related health conditions are:

• Type 2 diabetes – A condition which causes too much sugar in the blood.
• High blood pressure and on medication to treat this – When the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is too high.
• Dyslipidemia – When your blood lipids (like cholesterol) are not in the right balance.
• Obstructive sleep apnoea and on treatment for this – When your breathing stops and starts while you are sleeping.
• Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease – Where your arteries become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through them. This may lead to a heart attack or angina, a stroke, heart failure or poor circulation to the legs also known as (peripheral vascular disease).

The NHS in Devon are developing plans to be able to make this available to suitable people who meet specific clinical criteria to enable an NHS health professional to prescribe it.

While we are in the process of developing these plans, we are advising against making a GP appointment to ask for the drug, as they are not able to prescribe it currently.

In the meantime, where possible we are encouraging people to look to access other support services, which may prevent the need for weight loss medication.