Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
Please see all of the latest information that has been gathered on the rollout of Weight Loss medications and the plan that is currently in place below. We would encourage you to read the information so that you have the latest answers to any questions you may have regarding this subject. This includes the weblink to the MyHealth Devon website that contains more detail.
If the patient is asking about Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for weight loss:
Tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro is a medication that has previously only been prescribed for people with Type 2 Diabetes.
However, new NHS guidance now recommends Mounjaro as an option for managing overweight and obesity – when used alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
While NHS Devon are in the process of approving Mounjaro, 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 also prevent the need for weight loss medication.
If the patient is asking about availability:
Due to high expected demand the NHS is introducing Mounjaro in a phased national rollout with specific eligibility criteria over the first three years. Once it is made available there is likely to be high demand, it is not known at this stage how long the wait will be to receive this drug.
Eligibility by Year:
| Year One | People with a BMI over 40 and more than 4 weight related health conditions |
| Year Two | People with a BMI between 35-39.9 and more than 4 weight related health conditions |
| Year Three | People with a BMI over 40 and more than 3 weight related health conditions |
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).
For further information please follow the website link below to My Health Devon which explains in greater detail.