In the UK, GLP-1 medication for weight loss is generally for adults with obesity, or who are overweight with a weight-related health condition. The exact criteria depend on whether you go through the NHS or a private provider, and a prescriber makes the final decision. This article covers both routes, the BMI thresholds, who is not suitable, and what happens once you qualify.
If you are weighing up getting started, you may also find our guide to starting a GLP-1 programme in the UK useful, and you can see our coached approach on our glp-1 weight loss programme.
Who is eligible for GLP-1 medication in the UK?
You are generally eligible for GLP-1 medication in the UK if you have a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related health condition.
That is the licensed basis these medicines are prescribed on (MHRA). Weight-related conditions include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea. Because these are prescription-only medicines, a prescriber checks your BMI, your health and your history before deciding whether it is suitable. Who can actually get it, and how easily, then depends on whether you go through the NHS or privately.
Can you get GLP-1 on the NHS?
You can get GLP-1 medication on the NHS, but the criteria are stricter and access is limited.
NHS access is narrower than the licence. Semaglutide (Wegovy) is only available through specialist weight management services, typically for a BMI of 35 or more alongside a weight-related condition (NICE TA875). Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is being introduced through GPs from April 2026, but in phases, starting with those in greatest need, a BMI of 40 or more plus several weight-related conditions, and widening over time (NICE TA1026). The thresholds are lowered slightly for some ethnic backgrounds, and not every area or practice is at the same stage. The NHS also requires a "wrap-around" support service covering diet, nutrition and activity alongside the medication.
Can you get GLP-1 privately?
You can get GLP-1 medication privately if you meet the licensed criteria, which are broader than the NHS rules.
Private providers are not bound by the NHS cohorts, so eligibility usually follows the licensed basis: a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition. You still need an assessment by a prescriber, who checks it is suitable and safe for you. The difference between private and NHS is mainly access and waiting time, not a lower bar on safety.
Who is not eligible for GLP-1?
GLP-1 medication is not suitable for everyone, and a prescriber decides based on your health.
As a general guide, it is not prescribed during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or when you are trying to conceive, and it is not given to under-18s for weight loss outside specialist care. People with certain medical histories may be advised against it, and a BMI below the thresholds without a weight-related condition would usually mean it is not appropriate. This is why the assessment matters, and why you cannot simply buy it to use on your own. If you are unsure, speak to a prescriber.
Should you consider GLP-1 medication?
Deciding whether to use GLP-1 medication is about your health, not your willpower.
If you have struggled with your weight for years, you may have blamed yourself, and others may have blamed you too. But weight is far more complicated than willpower. We live surrounded by cheap, convenient, tasty food that is designed to make us eat more, and once the body has lived at a higher weight for a while, it fights hard to pull you back towards it when you lose weight. As I say in my book, it is not a fair fight. Eligibility criteria exist because these medications are a serious medical tool for people whose health would benefit, not a reward or a judgement. Whether it is right for you is a decision to make with a prescriber, based on your health and your goals, not on how much willpower you think you have.
What happens once you are eligible?
Once you are eligible, the medication is the start, not the whole answer.
Being eligible and getting a prescription is only the beginning. I come at this from experience. Like many people I know, I have had to watch my own weight and have experienced these medications, and my background is in healthcare and support services. What concerned me was seeing people handed a powerful medication and then left to work the rest out on their own, often through an online pharmacy with nothing around it. You receive the drug, you lose weight, and then what? On its own, the medication helps you lose weight, but the weight tends to return if nothing else changes. The better results come from building a programme around it: a clear goal, the nutrition to go with it, and training to protect your muscle, with the medication managed properly as you go. That is the approach behind our coached programme. Whatever route you take, start with a prescriber, and ask what support comes with the medication rather than settling for a bare prescription. Results vary from person to person.
Simon Hill is Chief Executive of GLP-1 company Mission MNT, founder of the Hartfield Healthcare Group and author of The Rebound Effect, published by Rethink Press in January 2027, on why weight loss on GLP-1 medication so often doesn't last and what actually keeps it off.
Medically reviewed by Callum Jones (HCPC DT035272). Registered Dietitian with a Foundation Degree in Sport Development, BSc in Nutrition and PG Diploma in Dietetics, complemented by qualifications in Personal Training and Exercise Referral. Brings experience working within professional rugby, combining clinical dietetic expertise with practical exercise and training experience. Provides an integrated approach to nutrition, weight management, physical activity and long-term health, supporting individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes.
Published: 08.10.2026 Next review: 08.10.2027
Sources
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MHRA (2026) Licensed indication for GLP-1 weight-management medicines: BMI 30 or above, or 27 to 30 with at least one weight-related comorbidity. First oral semaglutide (Wegovy) tablet approved 11 June 2026. gov.uk.
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NICE (2023) Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity, TA875 (specialist weight management services).
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NICE / NHS England (2024 to 2026) Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity, TA1026, and the phased primary-care rollout from April 2026 with eligibility cohorts and mandatory wrap-around care.
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Note: NHS eligibility and cohort start dates vary by local ICB and change over time; confirm against current NICE and NHS England guidance before relying on specific thresholds.
DISCLAIMER: This article was produced in part using generative AI with clinical review and sign-off. The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The products and methods mentioned are not a substitute for professional medical advice from a trained healthcare specialist. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Use of the information and products discussed is at your own risk.
