If you’ve been googling Mounjaro vs Wegovy cost UK 2026, you’ve probably noticed two things straight away:
- Prices are all over the place depending on dose and provider.
- NHS access is real, but it’s not as simple as “ask your GP and collect it tomorrow.”
This guide breaks down what people actually pay per month, what’s different about NHS vs private, what safety checks a legit provider should do, and how to avoid scams and dodgy “no prescription” nonsense.
Mounjaro And Wegovy In Plain English
Let’s clear up the basics without the fluff.
- Wegovy contains semaglutide. It’s a once-weekly injection designed for weight management, usually prescribed alongside lifestyle support, and in NHS settings it’s linked to specialist services and strict criteria.
- Mounjaro contains tirzepatide. It’s also once-weekly. In England, it’s being rolled out on the NHS in phases, starting with people at the highest clinical need.
Both can be effective for weight loss, but your monthly cost depends on:
- whether you’re NHS-eligible (and whether services exist locally)
- your dose (starter doses are cheaper than maintenance doses)
- what’s included (consultations, support, delivery, sharps bin, needles, etc.)
One important 2026 update: the UK regulator has approved a higher maximum Wegovy dose (7.2mg), which may affect availability and private pricing structures over time.
Mounjaro Vs Wegovy Prices In The UK 2026
The realistic private monthly price range in 2026
In the private market, most people see pricing land roughly here:
- Wegovy: commonly ~£80 to £299 per month, depending on dose and provider.
- Mounjaro: commonly ~£157 to £250+ per month, depending on dose and provider.
Those ranges aren’t “one magic price” — they reflect how providers price the starter titration phase (lower) versus higher doses (more).
Examples of real-world advertised starting prices
To give you a grounded feel (not a fantasy number):
- Some UK providers advertise Wegovy starter packs around ~£99/month for early titration doses.
- Some UK providers advertise Mounjaro starting around ~£169/month, with cost increasing as dose increases.
A quick comparison table you can screenshot
| Item | Wegovy (Semaglutide) | Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical private cost range (UK) | ~£80–£299/month | ~£157–£250+/month |
| Dose impacts price | Yes, higher dose usually costs more | Yes, higher dose usually costs more |
| What “1 month” usually means | 4 weekly doses | 4 weekly doses (often one pen with 4 doses) |
Price range sources above are based on UK price guides and UK provider pricing pages.
The pricing trap that catches people
A lot of people budget for Month 1 and forget that:
- you usually titrate upward over several weeks
- the maintenance dose is often the most expensive phase
- if you stop and restart, you may need to re-titrate (which can change your total cost timeline)
So if you’re trying to plan your money properly, think in 3-month blocks, not “this month only.”
NHS Vs Private In 2026 Who Can Get What
This is where confusion is highest, especially because NICE guidance, NHS England rollout plans, and local availability don’t always line up neatly.
NHS access in England for Mounjaro
NHS England has published criteria and rollout details indicating:
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is being introduced with a phased approach
- initially, eligibility focuses on people with BMI 40+ (adjusted for ethnicity) AND multiple weight-related health conditions
The NHS also explains that access is being rolled out over time and prioritised by clinical need.
Separately, NICE guidance recommends tirzepatide as an option for managing overweight and obesity for adults with:
- BMI at least 35 and
- at least one weight-related comorbidity,
alongside diet and activity changes.
So yes — NICE is broader, but NHS rollout starts narrower. That’s why you’ll see people who “technically qualify” still struggle to access it quickly.
NHS access in England for Wegovy
For Wegovy (semaglutide), NHS England is very clear:
- You can only take Wegovy on the NHS if it’s prescribed by a specialist weight management service.
And NICE guidance recommends semaglutide only if:
- it’s used for a maximum of 2 years, and
- it’s prescribed within a specialist weight management service, and
- the person has at least one weight-related comorbidity and meets the BMI thresholds.
What about the NHS prescription charge in 2026
If you do get an NHS prescription in England, the standard prescription charge is £9.90 per item, and it has been confirmed as frozen for 2026/27.
(Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different arrangements for prescription charges, often meaning no charge at the point of dispensing — but access pathways and service availability can still vary.)
Local variation is real
Even within England, access can differ because local commissioning and service capacity differ. A recent report highlighted that many areas apply stricter criteria than NICE due to budget and capacity pressures.
Bottom line: NHS availability is not just “Do I qualify?” but also “Is there a service pathway where I live?”
Hidden Costs People Forget To Budget For
Private pricing is not always just “the pen.”
Here are the common extras people end up paying for across a few months:
Clinical review and follow-ups
Some providers bundle this into the monthly price; others charge separately for:
- initial eligibility assessment
- follow-up reviews
- dose-change approvals
If you see an unbelievably cheap price, check whether:
- the consultation is extra
- follow-ups are extra
- support is minimal (which is not ideal for safety)
Delivery fees and packaging
Many regulated providers use tracked, discreet delivery, sometimes refrigerated logistics. Occasionally there’s an added delivery fee.
Needles, sharps bin, and supplies
Some services include needles with the medication (others expect you to source them). It’s small money, but it adds up.
Blood pressure, weight tracking, and basic monitoring tools
Not required for everyone, but sensible budgeting includes:
- a BP monitor (if you have hypertension risk)
- a reliable set of scales
- tape measure for waist tracking (often better than scales alone)
Time cost
This sounds obvious, but it matters: injections and appetite changes are only part of it. The people who do best tend to build routines around:
- protein and fibre basics
- hydration
- resistance training or walking
- sleep consistency
You don’t need perfection — but you do need a plan, or you’ll pay for months without maximising results.
Safety Checks And Red Flags To Watch For
You asked for “safety checks” and this is where you should be picky.
A legit prescriber should check at least these basics
Before prescribing, a proper clinician will usually cover:
- your BMI and waist measurement (risk profile)
- current meds (interactions, especially if you’re diabetic or on BP meds)
- history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney issues
- thyroid history (especially rare tumour risks mentioned in product info for this class)
- pregnancy and breastfeeding status (not appropriate)
- your relationship with food and mental health red flags (binge patterns, eating disorders)
If a provider basically says “Tick a box, pay, next-day delivery” with no real screening, that’s not a good sign.
Known serious risk people ignore
MHRA has strengthened warnings about acute pancreatitis, including rare severe and fatal cases, for GLP-1 medicines and related drugs (including semaglutide and tirzepatide).
Do not “tough it out” at home if you get warning symptoms like severe abdominal pain (especially if it radiates to your back), persistent vomiting, fever, or you feel seriously unwell. Seek urgent medical help.
The normal side effects vs the “stop and get help” signs
Common side effects often include nausea, constipation/diarrhoea, reflux, and reduced appetite — especially during titration. That’s not pleasant, but it’s not automatically dangerous.
Red flags worth urgent medical advice include:
- severe, persistent abdominal pain
- signs of dehydration you can’t correct (dizziness, unable to keep fluids down)
- repeated vomiting
- yellowing of skin/eyes (possible gallbladder/liver issues)
- allergic reaction symptoms
If you’re unsure, treat it seriously and speak to a clinician promptly.
How To Get A Legit Prescription And Avoid Scams
Let’s make this simple and practical.
Step 1 Start with the safest route
If you can, start with your GP or NHS weight management pathway. NHS England states Wegovy is specialist-only, and Mounjaro access is phased based on clinical need.
Even if you plan to go private, your GP can help confirm:
- whether these meds are appropriate for you
- what monitoring you might need
- whether there are safer alternatives
Step 2 If you go private, verify the service properly
The NHS advises that if you buy medicines online, you should ensure:
- the online pharmacy is registered (in Great Britain, check General Pharmaceutical Council registration)
- the online doctor service is registered with the Care Quality Commission and the relevant professional regulator for clinicians
The GPhC also explicitly urges the public to check an online pharmacy’s registration to avoid harm.
Step 3 Use official registers when you check
Here are the checks that take 2 minutes and can save you a hospital trip:
- Check the pharmacy is on the GPhC pharmacy register (Great Britain).
- Check the clinic/online service via the CQC find a service tool (England).
- Check the seller on the MHRA authorised online sellers register.
Also: the MHRA has urged the public to avoid illegal online weight-loss medicines and only buy from legitimate sources.
Step 4 Avoid these obvious scam routes
If someone offers you:
- “no prescription needed”
- Telegram/WhatsApp deals
- “beauty salon Mounjaro”
- “gym jab guy”
- prices that look too good to be true
…walk away.
There have been increasing reports and warnings about fake and illegal products being sold through social media and other unofficial routes, and regulators have repeatedly warned against it.
Step 5 Know what “legit” looks like when it arrives
A proper supply typically includes:
- correctly sealed packaging
- batch/expiry details
- patient information leaflet
- clear storage instructions (some products require refrigeration rules)
- support info for side effects and follow-up
If anything looks tampered with, missing, or suspicious, don’t use it. Contact the supplying pharmacy immediately.
Quick FAQs On Mounjaro And Wegovy
Is Mounjaro cheaper than Wegovy in the UK in 2026
Sometimes at starter doses you’ll see Mounjaro appear cheaper or similar, but at higher doses both can land in the same ballpark. Actual cost depends on provider and dose.
Can I get Wegovy on the NHS from my GP
In England, NHS England says Wegovy is prescribed via a specialist weight management service, not standard GP prescribing.
Why do some people pay £9.90 and others pay £200+
£9.90 is the NHS prescription charge per item in England (frozen for 2026/27). Private prescriptions are priced by the provider and dose.
What safety warning matters most right now
The MHRA has strengthened warnings around acute pancreatitis risk for this drug class and advises vigilance for symptoms.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Weight-loss injections are prescription-only medicines and aren’t suitable for everyone. Always speak with a qualified clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you develop severe symptoms (such as intense abdominal pain or persistent vomiting), seek urgent medical help.