Who is Mounjaro suitable for?

Who meets the weight-management licence criteria?

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a medicine injected under the skin once a week. It acts on glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, helping regulate appetite and blood sugar.

For weight management, the UK licence covers adults with an initial body mass index (BMI, a measure relating weight to height) of 30 or above, or 27 to below 30 with at least one weight-related condition. Examples include high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. A related condition is not additionally required at a BMI of 30 or above.

Treatment accompanies changes to food intake and physical activity. Meeting these criteria does not automatically mean that treatment is right for you, or that NHS treatment is available. NHS eligibility and local implementation are separate from the licence and may be narrower.

Is diabetes eligibility different?

Yes. Mounjaro also has a separate indication for insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise. The current UK product information includes adults and children aged 10 years and above for diabetes; this does not extend the weight-management indication to children. Diabetes treatment choices require their own assessment. Mounjaro is not a replacement for insulin in type 1 diabetes.

What needs checking before treatment?

Tell your clinician about all medicines, previous allergic reactions, pancreatitis, gallstones, severe digestive problems, kidney problems and diabetic eye disease. Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas; gastroparesis means unusually slow stomach emptying. These histories may change the assessment or monitoring needed rather than automatically excluding everyone.

A serious allergy to tirzepatide or its ingredients is a contraindication, meaning it must not be used. Insulin and sulfonylurea diabetes medicines can increase the risk of low blood sugar when combined with tirzepatide, so their doses may need clinician-led adjustment.

What about pregnancy, contraception and breastfeeding?

Do not use tirzepatide during pregnancy. Stop at least one month before a planned pregnancy with your clinician's guidance. If using an oral contraceptive, use a non-oral method or add a barrier method for four weeks after starting and four weeks after each dose increase.

Discuss breastfeeding individually with your prescriber. Current UK product information allows consideration of use during breastfeeding, but information remains limited and nutrition and infant needs matter.

Which symptoms need prompt help?

Seek urgent medical help for severe, persistent abdominal pain, especially if it spreads to your back, with or without vomiting. Stop treatment if pancreatitis is suspected. Seek prompt advice if vomiting or diarrhoea prevents drinking or you are passing much less urine. Call 999 for breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or throat. No assessment can remove every risk, but clear follow-up makes treatment safer.