Am I suitable for Mounjaro? What the criteria actually mean

Does my BMI put me in the right range?

The quickest check you can do right now, in under a minute, is to run your height and weight through the NHS BMI calculator. That number sits at the centre of the licensed criteria. Mounjaro's UK licence covers adults with a BMI of 30 or above, and adults with a BMI between 27 and 29.9 who have at least one weight-related condition, things like hypertension, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, raised cholesterol, or osteoarthritis.

If your background is South Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean, guidance from NICE and NHS England recognises that health risks from excess weight tend to present at lower BMI values, so the thresholds shift down by 2.5 kg/m². A BMI of 27.5 or above, for instance, could bring you into scope where the standard figure would be 30.

A number on a calculator opens the door; it does not guarantee approval. A prescriber looks at the full picture. More on how BMI interacts with Mounjaro eligibility is worth reading if you're right on a threshold.

What health conditions affect whether Mounjaro is suitable?

Some conditions actively support eligibility; others give a prescriber reason for caution. On the supportive side, the weight-related comorbidities listed in the licence (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease) can make you eligible at a lower BMI and often mean Mounjaro addresses more than one health issue at once.

On the cautious side, there are conditions where tirzepatide is not recommended. A personal or close family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) means Mounjaro should not be used. A history of pancreatitis, certain gastrointestinal conditions, and diabetic retinopathy all require careful prescriber discussion rather than automatic exclusion. The NHS tirzepatide medicines page sets out the contraindications and interactions in plain language if you want to read ahead.

Kidney function, liver health, and any history of eating disorders are also factored in. None of this is to put barriers up, it's to make sure the medicine fits the person. If you're uncertain about a specific condition, our detailed guide to medical suitability for Mounjaro covers the most common scenarios.

What if a previous clinic said I wasn't eligible, or I'm already on treatment?

Not every rejection is permanent, and not every clinic uses identical criteria. Some services apply NICE's NHS commissioning thresholds (BMI 35 or above, multiple comorbidities) even when offering private prescriptions, which is stricter than the licensed criteria actually require. If you've been told you're not eligible, it's worth understanding why that decision was made before assuming it applies everywhere.

Patients transferring from another provider, or already taking tirzepatide at a particular dose, follow a slightly different path at nume. Evidence of current treatment is requested, and any dose increase is reviewed clinically before it's approved. The aim is continuity without gaps, handled carefully. If you're already on treatment and thinking about moving, a quick read of the general FAQs covers the transfer process.

One thing that does not change between services: Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine, and clinical assessment is required every time. A service skipping that step is not a shortcut worth taking.

What about cost, and is there an NHS route?

Mounjaro became available on the NHS through a phased rollout following NICE's recommendation in December 2024. Early access is limited to people with high BMI and multiple qualifying comorbidities; the criteria broaden gradually through 2025 to 2027. For most people asking about suitability today, the realistic route is private prescription. A plain explanation of the NHS access process and who currently qualifies may be useful if you're weighing your options.

Private pricing varies by dose and provider. If cost is a consideration, the context around Mounjaro pricing in the UK explains what influences the figures and what a legitimate price typically includes. At nume, one price covers the consultation, prescription, the medicine, and free next-working-day delivery, no subscription, no hidden charges. Pricing is listed on the treatment page where you can also start your consultation.

Our prescribers review every consultation the same day it's submitted. If you'd like to find out where you stand, a structured eligibility check is a good first step, and the clinical team at nume is available for aftercare questions seven days a week once you're on treatment.