However, if you’re wondering if the buzz is warranted, you’re not alone. In the UK, NHS access remains limited to selected patients via GPs and specialist weight-management services, so let’s find out more about the facts behind these medicines.
How GLP-1 Medicines Work
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural hormone released by the gut when you eat. GLP-1 medicines, also known as GLP-1 agonists, mimic this hormone to:
- Slow stomach emptying so that you feel fuller for longer
- Reduce the appetite so that you eat less
- Boost the release of insulin when needed to help control blood sugar levels
This means it’s wise to think of GLP-1 as a friendly nudge for your appetite and metabolism, not a magic fix. To lose weight you will still need to choose healthy meals and avoid over-eating.
Who Is Eligible for GLP-1 Medicines?
In the NHS (England and Wales in 2025), the following prescribing guidelines need to be followed by healthcare professionals.
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) is approved for individuals with a BMI of 35 of higher (32.5 or higher in higher-risk ethnic groups), or a BMI of 30-34.9 (27.5-32.4 in those groups) with weight-related health problems. Semaglutide is also used to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) has similar recommendations to semaglutide and is currently being rolled out to patients. Earlier this year, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) noted that implementing Mounjaro represented “a significant step toward transforming weight management”.
- Rybelsus® is a brand of semaglutide used to treat type 2 diabetes. While other GLP-1 medicines are taken as an injection, Rybelsus it is taken by mouth (orally) as a tablet.
Many people do not meet the criteria for NHS treatment. You may be declined a prescription for a GLP-1 medicine if:
- Your BMI is lower than the threshold for treatment
- You do not have diabetes or another weight-related complication
- Funding is unavailable in your area
For these reasons, some people may instead seek a private prescription, subject to medical consultation and appropriate safety checks.
Benefits Beyond the Scales
GLP-1 medicines can lead to many health benefits, so reducing weight is just the beginning.
- Heart protection: oral semaglutide has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiac death by 14% over four years.
- Heart rhythm and blood vessel health: a study this year showed that obese patients with an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation or AF) were less likely to experience AF-related health events such as being admitted to hospital, or needing cardioversion or ablation to treat their AF.
- Reducing limb and blood vessel damage: in patients with conditions affecting the arteries in their arms and legs, taking a GLP-1 medicine reduced the rate of heart attacks and strokes, and lowered the risk of an individual needing limb amputation.
- Other emerging benefits: GLP-1 medicines may be helping to reduce kidney disease in people with diabetes, as well as protecting against certain cancers including lung, bowel, and prostate cancer. There is even some evidence that they may help with addiction and alcohol or substance use disorders.
In future, GLP-1 medicines may be used to manage a huge range of health conditions.
Risks and Realities
Despite the buzz, as with all medicines it is important to remember that GLP-1 agonists are not completely free from side effects and risks.
- Side effects: the most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, constipation, and stomach discomfort. These tend to improve over time.
- Serious considerations:
- There is some evidence to suggest that the risk of thyroid cancer increases with long-term use of GLP-1 medicines. However, the risk of other types of cancer may be reduced.
- In women, GLP-1s may affect oral contraceptives or HRT. Your doctor may therefore recommend alternatives.
- There may be a higher risk of macular degeneration, an eye condition causing visual changes, in diabetic patients taking GLP-1 medicines.
- GLP-1 medicines should not be used during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
- Equity challenges: not everyone can access GLP-1 via the NHS. This means that people may pay privately, so wealthier individuals could be more likely to benefit.
Lifestyle Still Matters
Just taking the injections isn’t enough. Lifestyle changes still underpin success, and weight loss medications are licensed for use alongside calorie control and regular physical activity.
GLP-1 medicines can be a great tool in supporting you to develop a new, healthier lifestyle so that habits can form. Rather than being a “cure”, the medication helps you make changes that you will then find it easier to continue upon stopping the drug.
Looking to the Future
Ever-evolving NICE and NHS policies mean that eligibility for medications will change and expand gradually. Expect new drugs and formats in the coming months and years, including the recommended roll out of therapies like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) to more people via their GP.
For Mounjaro, NHS England will prioritise thousands of patients deemed to be at higher risk (such as those with a high BMI, type 2 diabetes, or weight-related health complications). Following phases will see wider roll out and greater availability.
Ongoing research will continue to expand our understanding of GLP-1 medicines, and healthcare professionals will keep a close eye on trials and guidelines.
What Should I Do Next?
If you have been wondering whether a GLP-1 medicine might be right for you, you may find it helpful to consider the following suggestions.
- Ask questions: bring up GLP-1 with your GP or pharmacist. Ask if you’re eligible under NHS criteria, or if a private prescription might be appropriate.
- Prepare for discussion: understand your BMI, health conditions, and what the national recommendations are from NICE and the NHS.
- Be aware of issues: consider side effects, risks, and issues around pregnancy, contraception and HRT.
- Stay informed: talk to healthcare professionals rather than relying on social media for information.
While this article is medically accurate, it is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are interested in GLP-1 medicines or have any questions or concerns, please consult your GP or pharmacist.
