Weight management
Acute pancreatitis has been associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Patients and carers should be told how to recognise the signs and symptoms and to seek medical attention if symptoms such as acute persistent abdominal pain develop.
Drug Safety Update
February 2026: Falsified Mounjaro® KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pens
February 2026: Semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic® and Rybelsus®): risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)
January 2026: GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: strengthened warnings on acute pancreatitis, including necrotising and fatal cases
December 2025: Rybelsus® (semaglutide tablets): transition to new formulation and risk of medication error
November 2023: Ozempic®▼(semaglutide) and Saxenda® (liraglutide): vigilance required due to potentially harmful falsified products
June 2019: GLP-1 receptor agonists: reports of diabetic ketoacidosis when concomitant insulin was rapidly reduced or discontinued
Further details on how to access these medicines can be found on the ICS website, under the ‘Weight loss medication’ section of the Weight Management page:
Saxenda® (liraglutide), see NICE TA664, is for specialist prescribing only when used for weight management in line with the NICE TA.
**Saxenda® has been affected by the national supply issues of GLP-1 RAs. Until the supply chain is restored, no referrals onto the Saxenda® pathway will be accepted by the Tier 3 provider.**
Wegovy® (semaglutide), see NICE TA875, is for specialist prescribing only when used for weight management in line with the NICE TA. These are only available via specialist weight management services - please see here for further information.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), see NICE TA 1026, is commissioned for use in NHS England Cohort 1 and 2 patients only and may be prescribed in General Practices.
Cohort 1 and 2 patients are defined as adults registered with an NHS GP who meet all of the following criteria:
- BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² (or ≥ 32.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean backgrounds due to higher risk).
- Presence of at least four qualifying comorbidities: hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Mandatory engagement with the structured weight loss programme in line with Quality Outcome Framework (QOF) contract
Liraglutide and semaglutide should be prescribed by brand as the different brands have different indications (see under drug below).
Some biosimilar brands of liraglutide are licensed in the UK for weight management/obesity only, and are for prescribing only from specialist weight management services when used in line with the following NICE TA.
For the use of semaglutide (Wegovy®) in line with NICE TA1152 please see here.
NICE TA 1026: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is commissioned for use in NHS England Cohort 1 and 2 patients only and may be prescribed in General Practices.
Cohort 1 and 2 patients are defined as adults registered with an NHS GP who meet all of the following criteria:
- BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² (or ≥ 32.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean backgrounds due to higher risk).
- Presence of at least four qualifying comorbidities: hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Mandatory engagement with the structured weight loss programme in line with Quality Outcome Framework (QOF) contract
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
Wegovy is licensed in the UK for weight management/obesity only, and is for prescribing only from specialist weight management services when used in line with the following NICE TA.
| Pack |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
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| 1 pre-filled disposable injection |
- On Formulary Preferred
- On Formulary Second Line
- On Formulary Third Line
- Specialist Initiation
- Secondary Care Only
- Not Approved for Formulary

