Is There an Alternative to Mounjaro for Weight Loss in the UK?

What makes Wegovy a genuine alternative to Mounjaro?

Wegovy is semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Novo Nordisk. It has been licensed in the UK for weight management since 2023 and is the closest comparator to Mounjaro in terms of how it works and who it's for. Both are once-weekly subcutaneous injections; both are licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27-plus with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or obstructive sleep apnoea.

Where they differ is in mechanism. Mounjaro is the only dual-agonist licensed for weight loss in the UK, activating both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Wegovy targets GLP-1 alone. In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2025, tirzepatide produced greater average weight reduction over 72 weeks. That said, plenty of people do very well on semaglutide (average weight loss in the STEP 1 trial was around 15% at 68 weeks) and side-effect profiles overlap considerably, so tolerability matters as much as headline figures. If you are weighing up your options, our page covering Mounjaro alternatives for weight loss sets out how the available medicines compare across efficacy, mechanism and practical use. A prescriber considers both.

One practical note: Wegovy recently gained approval for a 7.2mg maintenance dose (the MHRA approved a dedicated single-dose pen in April 2026), closing the gap with tirzepatide's highest dose in terms of efficacy. Availability of specific doses and pen formats is confirmed at the point of clinical assessment, not before.

Is the Wegovy tablet a realistic option if you want to avoid injections?

For people who want to avoid needles, the tablet alternative to Mounjaro is now a genuine possibility. The MHRA approved Wegovy tablets (oral semaglutide co-formulated with an absorption enhancer) on 11 June 2026, making the UK the first country in Europe to license an oral GLP-1 medicine for weight management.

The starting dose is 1.5mg daily, titrating up through 4mg and 9mg to a 25mg maintenance dose, with at least a month at each level. Taking it correctly matters: first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, with a small amount of plain water, waiting at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking coffee or taking other oral medicines.

In the OASIS 4 phase 3 trial (307 adults, 64 weeks), average weight loss was around 13.6% versus roughly 2.4% for placebo. Among participants who stayed fully adherent to the regimen, average loss was closer to 17%. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) reported in about 74% of participants, though generally mild and settling over time. No refrigeration is needed, which makes it considerably more travel-friendly than either injection. You can read more on the full Mounjaro alternatives page if you want a side-by-side comparison.

What about orlistat, is it still worth considering?

Orlistat works completely differently from the GLP-1 class. Rather than acting on appetite-regulating hormones, it inhibits the enzyme that digests dietary fat in the gut, blocking absorption of roughly a third of the fat you eat. It comes in capsule form, taken with each main meal, and has been used in the UK for decades.

It is available on prescription (120mg) and, in lower strength (60mg), over the counter. The NHS orlistat page has a clear summary of what to expect. The caveat is real: because unabsorbed fat passes through, dietary fat intake must be managed carefully or side effects (oily stools, urgency) become disruptive. Average weight loss is more modest than the injectable GLP-1 medicines.

For some people (particularly those for whom injections are a barrier, who cannot tolerate GLP-1 side effects, or whose clinical picture rules out the injectable options) orlistat remains a legitimate, evidence-supported choice. If you are asking yourself what the alternative to Mounjaro is for your specific circumstances, a prescriber can weigh that up properly. A quick thing worth doing before any appointment: note your current medicines, since orlistat can affect absorption of some drugs including thyroid hormone and certain contraceptives.

How does switching from Mounjaro to an alternative actually work?

If you are already on Mounjaro and considering a switch (whether because of side effects, supply, preference or cost) the process requires clinical input rather than a unilateral decision. There is a washout period to consider: guidance on the Mounjaro washout period explains what's currently known and why timing matters.

Switching between GLP-1 medicines is not simply a dose-for-dose swap. Tolerability can differ between agents even in people who are used to one class, and the prescriber needs to review your full picture (current dose, response so far, any contraindications to the target medicine) before making a recommendation. Never stop or switch a prescription medicine on the basis of a forum post or a price comparison. Our page on what to consider when looking for an alternative to Mounjaro is a useful starting point before you speak to a clinician, and the consultation page is where to go when you are ready to explore your options with a fresh pair of clinical eyes. Our prescribers review each case personally; you can learn more about our clinical team at our clinical team profile.

If you are trying to understand the broader landscape before that conversation, the weight-loss treatment overview lays out the licensed options in plain terms.