What weight loss treatments are available on the NHS? [2025]
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Obesity affects millions of people UK-wide and is linked to many health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea and certain cancers.
The good news is that several obesity treatments are available on the NHS. The not-so-good news is that these treatments aren't always easy to access.
NHS weight loss treatments range from lifestyle support to prescription medicines. For some,
bariatric surgery is even an option. Your chances of accessing these treatments depend on your current health status and where you live.
In this guide, we look at the main NHS obesity treatments, starting with the most common.
Lifestyle interventions: usually the first step
If you go to your GP seeking help for weight loss, they'll likely start you off with a lifestyle programme.
The NHS recommends a balanced, lower-calorie diet with regular exercise, plus support to help you change your behaviours. You may be referred to local weight-management services or the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. This free, 12-week online plan includes nutritional guidance, exercise plans and habit change tools.
However, the availability of these services is not the same everywhere. Some local systems run robust group programmes and exercise referral schemes. Others have limited capacity and can only signpost you to other services.
If lifestyle support alone isn't enough, your clinician may discuss weight loss medication options with you.
Weight loss medication: your NHS options
The NHS may offer weight loss medicines when lifestyle measures haven't helped you lose weight – provided you meet safety and eligibility criteria.
Current treatments available on the NHS include orlistat, liraglutide, semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro).
Orlistat
Orlistat blocks some of the fat you absorb from food. It works best alongside changes to diet and activity.
Gut side effects like oily stools, wind and needing the toilet urgently are common. However, they often improve if you cut back on dietary fat.
Treatment is usually reviewed at 12 weeks and continued only if you have lost around 5% of your starting weight. Your clinician will check progress and advise on whether it's right to carry on.
GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 injections
These medicines are used alongside lifestyle changes to help you lose weight. They work by regulating blood sugar and reducing food and hunger cravings.
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
NICE, the UK's main health regulator, recommends Wegovy for managing overweight and obesity in adults. It's usually prescribed through specialist weight-management services – and only for patients who meet strict criteria. That means:
- Adults with at least one weight-related condition and a BMI of 35 or more
- Adults with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 who also have a serious weight-related condition
Ethnicity is also taken into consideration, as people from certain groups can experience health risks with a lower BMI.
A large clinical trial showed an average weight loss of 14.9% when semaglutide was combined with lifestyle changes.
Please note that local prescribing criteria for Wegovy may vary. The requirements above are based on NICE guidelines. However, local NHS services often need to implement stricter criteria to make sure they can treat those who are most in need.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Mounjaro was authorised by the MHRA for weight management in November 2023 and recommended by NICE on 23 December 2024.
In 2025, NHS England began a phased rollout. You usually have to access it through specialist weight-management services. However, in some areas, GPs can prescribe it for people with a very high clinical risk.
Some local services will only prescribe Mounjaro to people with a BMI of 40 or more who also have multiple weight-related conditions. However, this can differ by area. Check your local pathway for exact details.
A large clinical trial showed average weight loss of 20.9% when tirzepatide was combined with lifestyle support.
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Liraglutide is a once-daily injection. The NHS may prescribe it when healthy eating and activity alone haven't been enough. However, liraglutide has generally been overtaken by weekly injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro. These injections have shown stronger clinical outcomes.
In cases where the NHS
does
offer liraglutide, it's usually prescribed by specialist weight-management clinics for people who meet strict criteria. Typically, that means:
- A BMI of 35 or more (or 32.5 or more in some minority ethnic groups)
- Signs of pre-diabetes
- A higher risk of heart disease
Your team will check in after about 12 weeks to see if it's helping and whether it makes sense to continue.
Bariatric (metabolic) surgery
You may be offered
weight loss surgery if other treatments haven't worked. That's on the condition you're fit for surgery and are willing to commit to long-term follow-ups. Within the NHS you usually have to have shown engagement with a “tier 3” weight management specialist team for at least 12 months before you can be referred to a “tier 4” bariatric service.
Bariatric (metabolic) surgery is usually considered for people with
- a BMI over 40, or
- a BMI of 35 to 39.9, plus a serious obesity-related condition.
For some ethnic groups, thresholds are lower (a BMI over 37.5, or 32.5 with a related condition). People with type 2 diabetes diagnosed within the last 10 years may be prioritised for assessment via a specialised service.
Are you considering weight loss surgery? Phoenix Health is the only private bariatric surgery clinic trusted by the NHS to provide treatment. Learn more at the
Phoenix Health website.
H3: Private care when NHS routes are not available to you
The NHS remains a vital source of support for weight loss – and NHS weight loss treatments have changed many lives. However, strict criteria, variable local resources and phased access mean that not everyone who could benefit will receive a prescription or surgery right away.
If you're finding it difficult to get help with your weight through the NHS, regulated private services can help you access the same MHRA-approved medicines.
At SemaPen, we don't just prescribe weight loss medicines and leave you to it. Our weight loss programmes for
Mounjaro and
Wegovy are designed by obesity experts and come complete with:
- Lifestyle coaching to help you develop healthy habits
- Professional medical supervision and personalised dosage adjustment
- Progress tracking, a smart scale and expert guidance at every step
- A money-back guarantee if our programmes don't work for you*
This gives you a safe and effective way forward while NHS capacity evolves.
H3: How to move forward
- Speak to your GP about local weight loss treatments and ask to be referred to specialist services if you feel you need it.
- Ask whether you're eligible for the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme while you wait.
- If you're exploring private options, use a regulated service that offers clinician-led assessment, ongoing monitoring and clear information about risks and benefits.
Considering the private route? We're ready to support you with clinically proven injectable drugs for weight loss and tailored advice from UK obesity experts. Why not take our simple online consultation and find out if you're eligible today?
Sources and small print
1. NHS (2023) Treatment: Obesity. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/treatment/
2. NICE (2023) Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875/chapter/1-Recommendations
3. Wilding, J.P.H. et al. (2021) "Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity" The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11) https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
4. NICE (2024) Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1026
5. NHS England (2025) Weight management injections. Retrieved from https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/prevention/obesity/medicines-for-obesity/weight-management-injections/
6. The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2025) Newcastle specialist adult weight management service (Tier 3): Guidance for healthcare professionals. Retrieved from https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/therapy-services/about-us/dietetics/how-can-you-access-our-services-dietetics/guidance-for-health-care-professionals-on-how-to-refer/newcastle-specialist-adult-weight-management-service/
7. Jastreboff, A.M. et al. (2022) "Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity" The New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3) https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
* Terms and conditions apply.
This article was reviewed and approved by Alice Fletcher, Lead Bariatric Dietitian, on 3 September 2025.
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