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Weight management
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance for the use of Tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro) for managing obesity.
Please see the following frequently asked questions for more information on what this means for people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire:
What is changing in the management of obesity as a result of NICE’s announcement?
- People in England over the age of 18 who are living with obesity and another weight-related health issue will be able to access the weight loss drug Tirzepatide through specialist weight management services (SWMS) from spring 2025. In primary care services, access will begin in summer 2025.
- Tirzepatide is currently prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but will now also be available for weight loss purposes.
Who can access Tirzepatide?
- This medication is for people living with obesity who have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or over and a weight related health problem; or a BMI of 32.5 and one weight related health problem for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds, as they are at a higher risk of medical problems at a lower BMI.
- NHS England will provide more information early next year about exactly which weight related health problems will benefit the most from Tirzepatide and which will be eligible for consideration for the medication.
How does Tirzepatide work for weight loss?
- Tirzepatide works by supressing appetite centres in the brain that control gut hormones. It decreases the appetite and slows the movement of food passing through the body, making you feel fuller for longer.
- Clinical trials have shown tirzepatide can help people living with obesity lose up 20% of their starting body weight, depending on the dose and accompanying diet and lifestyle support.
- Tirzepatide can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional alongside programmes which support people to lose weight and live healthier lives by making changes to their diet and physical activity
- Tirzepatide comes as an injection, which can be self-administered once a week.
What if a patient is already receiving Tirzepatide treatment?
- Patients can continue taking Tirzepatide if they are prescribed it to manage their diabetes.
- If patients are using Tirzepatide they have acquired privately, they may be able to access the medication through an NHS prescription if they meet the NICE and NHS qualifying criteria. More information about this will be made available in the new year.
Will everyone who is eligible have access to the drug?
- Tirzepatide might not be suitable for everyone and not everyone who meets the eligibility criteria will want to use it to support their weight loss. A healthcare professional will discuss the most appropriate care and support, based on individual patient’s need. This could include behavioural support programmes, medical options including prescribing or bariatric surgery.
The NICE announcement mentions ‘wraparound’ care. What does this mean?
- Any patient prescribed Tirzepatide must participate in the specifically designed ‘wraparound’ care required by NICE guidance. This focuses on diet, nutrition and increasing physical activity. As NHS England develops the service, it will provide more details of the wraparound support offer for patients who qualify. Patients cannot be prescribed Tirzepatide if they do not wish to undertake the wraparound care support. In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, we are considering the pathways and services that GPs can refer people to for this wraparound support.
Will there be a cost to the patient for being prescribed Tirzepatide?
- Normal prescription charges will apply unless you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions (for example, because you have a medical exemption certificate).
NHS digital weight management programme
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme supports adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension or both, to manage their weight and improve their health.
