How to Get a Private GLP-1 Prescription UK 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

GLP-1 medications - primarily Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) - are prescription-only medicines in the UK. You cannot buy them over the counter, and you cannot get them without a clinical assessment.

The NHS route exists but is restricted to specialist weight management services with strict criteria and waiting lists that can run to years in some areas. For most people who qualify medically, the realistic pathway in 2026 is a private prescription.

This guide covers exactly how that process works: who qualifies, what the assessment involves, what it costs, and what to expect at each stage.

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Who Qualifies for a Private GLP-1 Prescription

Private prescribers in the UK follow clinical criteria derived from NICE guidance and the licensed indications for each medication.

Standard Eligibility Criteria

BMI thresholds:

• BMI 30 or above with no qualifying comorbidities, OR
• BMI 27 or above with at least one weight-related health condition

Qualifying comorbidities (for BMI 27 to 29.9):

• Type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, angina)
• Dyslipidaemia (abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides)
• Obstructive sleep apnoea

Absolute contraindications (will be declined):

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome
• Active or recent pancreatitis
• Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
• Severe kidney disease (stage 4 or 5 CKD - eGFR below 30)

Relative contraindications (may affect prescribing decision):

• Type 1 diabetes (requires specialist oversight)
• Active severe eating disorder (needs specialist involvement first)
• Certain combinations of diabetes medications (particularly insulin - requires dose coordination)
• Severe liver disease

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Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Before Applying

Before spending time on a consultation, run a quick self-check:

• Calculate your BMI (weight in kg divided by height in metres squared)
• If BMI is 27 to 29.9, identify whether you have a qualifying comorbidity
• Review the contraindication list above
• Check you are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Review your family history for MTC and MEN2

If your BMI is below 27 with no qualifying condition, UK private prescribers will not prescribe GLP-1 medications. This is a clinical threshold, not an arbitrary barrier - the licensed indications and the clinical trial populations that established safety data both require this threshold.

If your BMI qualifies on the NHS pathway, it is worth reading our NHS GLP-1 eligibility guide to understand that route before committing to private costs.

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Step 2: Gather Your Medical Information

Before beginning a consultation, have the following ready:

Current medications: Every medication you take, including over-the-counter drugs and regular supplements. GLP-1 medications delay gastric emptying, which affects the absorption of some oral medications. Insulin and sulphonylureas (glibenclamide, gliclazide) in particular require dose adjustment when combined with GLP-1 therapy.

Relevant diagnoses: Particularly cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid conditions, and mental health history.

Family history: Specifically thyroid cancer and MEN2. If a parent or sibling has had medullary thyroid cancer, you may be declined on precautionary grounds.

Recent blood test results: Most private prescribers do not require these upfront, but having recent HbA1c, kidney function, and thyroid function results demonstrates proactive health engagement and is clinically valuable. See our GLP-1 monitoring and blood test guide.

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Step 3: Choose Your Prescribing Service

The UK private GLP-1 market has several legitimate, well-regulated providers. For the full comparison, see our best GLP-1 prescribers UK guide.

What to look for in any prescriber:

• GPhC (pharmacy) or CQC (clinic) registration - verifiable on their respective public registers
• A registered prescriber reviewing your application (not just an algorithm)
• Clear contraindication screening in the questionnaire
• Free delivery included
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees after the first month

What to avoid:

• Any service that does not involve a registered prescriber reviewing your case
• Services offering GLP-1 medication without any clinical assessment
• Providers who are not UK-registered
• Compounded GLP-1 preparations from unlicensed sources (the MHRA has issued repeated warnings about quality and safety risks)

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Step 4: Complete the Consultation

The private GLP-1 consultation process is described in full in our online doctor consultation guide. In brief:

What you complete: A health questionnaire covering your medical history, current medications, BMI, family history, and goals. This takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Who reviews it: A registered prescriber - pharmacist prescriber, nurse prescriber, or GP depending on the service.

Turnaround: 24 to 48 hours for asynchronous reviews. Same-day for some video consultation services.

What happens if there is a query: The prescriber contacts you for clarification. This is normal clinical practice and indicates the prescriber is reading your responses carefully. Answer accurately.

What the prescriber is checking for:

• BMI eligibility confirmed
• No absolute contraindications
• No problematic drug interactions
• Mental health history does not require specialist involvement first
• Any flagged items that require clarification before prescribing can proceed

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Step 5: Which Medication Gets Prescribed

If approved, the prescriber issues a private prescription. The choice of medication follows clinical logic.

Mounjaro vs Wegovy: For most treatment-naive patients, tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is now the preferred first choice based on the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head data. Semaglutide (Wegovy) remains appropriate for patients who are already on it and responding well, or where there are specific clinical or cost reasons to choose it.

Standard dose escalation schedules:

Mounjaro: 2.5mg (month 1), 5mg (month 2), 7.5mg (month 3), 10mg (month 4), 12.5mg (month 5), 15mg (month 6 onwards).

Wegovy: 0.25mg (month 1), 0.5mg (month 2), 1mg (month 3), 1.7mg (month 4), 2.4mg (month 5 onwards).

You do not have to escalate on schedule if side effects are significant. Staying at a lower dose for an extra four weeks is clinically supported and reduces the risk of early discontinuation. Ask your prescriber about flexible titration before you start.

For the full dose escalation guide, see our GLP-1 dose escalation guide.

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Step 6: Delivery and Starting Treatment

Once the prescription is issued and processed, your medication is dispatched via tracked courier. Typical delivery time is one to three business days.

Medication arrives in plain, discreet packaging. Both Mounjaro and Wegovy are auto-injector pens - pre-filled, no assembly required. Injection is once weekly into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

Storage: Keep pens refrigerated (2 to 8°C) before first use. After first use, they can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 30 days.

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Step 7: Ongoing Monitoring

A private prescription is the start of a clinical relationship, not the end of it.

Monthly renewal: Most services manage this automatically, with prompts when renewal is due. Some require a brief check-in questionnaire.

Dose escalation: Managed through your ongoing relationship with the provider. Clarify upfront whether escalation is automatic or you need to request it.

Side effect management: Nausea affects approximately 44% of patients in the first weeks of GLP-1 therapy (STEP 1 trial). Contact your prescriber if side effects are severe or persistent - the response is usually a dose hold or slower escalation, not stopping the medication.

Blood test monitoring: Arrange repeat blood tests at three and six months (HbA1c, kidney function, liver function). Most private prescribers do not initiate this for you - it is your responsibility. Your GP can request these on the NHS, or use a private lab. See our GLP-1 monitoring bloodwork guide.

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What It Costs

Private GLP-1 prescriptions are a significant monthly cost. Realistic figures for 2026:

• Starter doses: £139 to £199 per month depending on provider
• Maintenance doses: £209 to £289 per month depending on medication and provider

A realistic 12-month cost for a full course of Mounjaro from starter to maintenance is approximately £2,400 to £2,600 depending on provider. Wegovy runs approximately £250 less over a full year.

For the full cost breakdown and provider comparison, see our cheapest GLP-1 prescription UK guide.

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Does Your GP Need to Be Involved?

No. A private prescription does not require GP involvement or approval. You apply directly to the private prescriber.

However, your GP should know you are taking GLP-1 medication. Most private prescribers send a notification letter to your GP after issuing the prescription - this is good clinical practice. If yours does not, inform your GP yourself.

In any urgent care situation, clinical staff need to know every medication you are taking. GLP-1 medications can cause severe nausea and vomiting; delayed gastric emptying has implications for certain medical procedures and anaesthesia. Your GP and any other clinician you see need this information.

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The NHS Alternative

If you think you might qualify for NHS GLP-1 access, explore that route before committing to private costs. NHS eligibility is stricter - typically BMI 35 or above with comorbidities, or BMI 40 or above - but access is free at the point of use.

See our NHS GLP-1 eligibility guide for full criteria and how to approach your GP.

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Choosing Between Providers

The major UK private GLP-1 prescribers differ on pricing, clinical model, and follow-up quality. A quick reference:

For the full market analysis, see our best GLP-1 prescribers UK guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a private GLP-1 prescription legal? Yes. Private prescriptions are legal in the UK. The prescriber must be registered with an appropriate regulatory body (GPhC for pharmacist prescribers, GMC for doctors, NMC for nurse prescribers). Wegovy and Mounjaro are both MHRA-licensed for weight management in adults.

Can I get a private prescription in one day? Some services can approve and dispatch on the same day or next day for applications submitted early in the working day. Typically, expect two to four days from application to medication arrival.

Do I need blood tests before I can get a private prescription? Most providers do not require it, but baseline blood tests are good clinical practice before starting any GLP-1 medication. Rainbow Labs builds blood testing into their process. Other providers rely on self-reported medical history.

What happens if I stop taking GLP-1 medication? Weight typically returns when treatment stops - most of the lost weight is regained within one to two years in most patients. GLP-1 therapy is generally considered long-term management rather than a short course. See our stopping GLP-1 medication guide for what to expect.

Can I get a private prescription if I have type 2 diabetes? Yes, but with additional considerations. Existing diabetes medications may need dose adjustment. If you are on insulin or sulphonylureas, dose reduction is typically needed when adding GLP-1 therapy to prevent hypoglycaemia. This coordination should involve your prescriber and, ideally, your GP or diabetologist.

What happens at dose escalation - do I need a new consultation? No. Dose escalation is managed through your existing prescription relationship. You request the next dose at renewal, or some providers manage it automatically on the standard escalation schedule. Clarify this with your provider when you start.

What about the new Wegovy 7.2mg dose? Wegovy 7.2mg was MHRA-approved in January 2026 and is gradually becoming available through UK providers. The pivotal trial achieved 20.7% mean weight loss - narrowing the efficacy gap with Mounjaro considerably. Availability varies; check with your provider directly.