Mounjaro in Glasgow | GPhC Prescriber-Led Weight Loss | MediGlow

If you have been researching weight loss options recently, you have almost certainly encountered Mounjaro. It has gone from a diabetes medication most people had never heard of to one of the most talked-about medical interventions in the UK – and for good reason.

The clinical evidence behind it is substantial, the results in real-world patients are impressive, and for many people, it represents the first genuinely effective pharmacological tool for managing long-term weight.

I am Lalit Matai, a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber and co-founder of MediGlow Aesthetics and Health in Thornliebank, Glasgow. I want to explain clearly – in clinical but accessible language – what Mounjaro is, how it works, who it is suitable for and what the consultation and prescribing process looks like at MediGlow.

I also want to be honest about what it is not, who it is not appropriate for and why the clinical background of the person prescribing it matters significantly.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a weekly injectable medication manufactured by Eli Lilly. It was originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and was approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for that indication in September 2022.

In November 2023, the MHRA extended its approval to include chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) then issued technology appraisal guidance TA1026 in December 2024, formally recommending it for weight management through the NHS under specific criteria.

What makes Mounjaro different from other weight loss injections currently available in the UK – including Wegovy and Ozempic, both of which contain semaglutide – is its mechanism.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is the first medication of its class to reach the market anywhere in the world. That dual action is clinically significant and explains why tirzepatide consistently produces greater weight loss than semaglutide in head-to-head studies.

How does Mounjaro work?

After you eat, your gut naturally releases two incretin hormones: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These hormones signal to the brain that you are full, slow the rate at which the stomach empties and stimulate insulin release from the pancreas in response to glucose.

Tirzepatide mimics both of these hormones simultaneously. By activating both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, it produces a more pronounced effect on appetite suppression, gastric emptying and insulin sensitivity than a GLP-1 agonist alone. The result is that patients feel fuller sooner, feel full for longer, experience reduced cravings and consume fewer calories without the degree of effort that diet alone requires.

Who is Mounjaro suitable for in the UK?

In the UK, Mounjaro can be prescribed privately for weight management in adults aged 18 or over who meet the following criteria:

BMI of 30 kg/m² or above (obesity), or BMI of 27 kg/m² or above with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease or high cholesterol. NICE guidance also states that lower BMI thresholds should be applied to people from minority ethnic backgrounds, recognising that the metabolic risks associated with excess weight manifest at lower BMI values in South Asian, East Asian and Black populations.

Mounjaro is not suitable for everyone. It must be used with caution – or avoided entirely – in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, a history of pancreatitis, severe renal impairment or hypersensitivity to tirzepatide. It is contraindicated in pregnancy.

A thorough medical history review and medication assessment is essential before any prescription is agreed – which is one of the reasons the clinical background of the prescriber matters significantly.

Does Mounjaro work for PCOS?

This is one of the most common questions we receive at MediGlow, and the answer is relevant to a significant proportion of our South Asian patients for whom PCOS is a particularly prevalent condition.

PCOS is fundamentally a condition of insulin resistance. Elevated insulin levels drive increased androgen production, disrupt ovulation, promote fat storage – particularly abdominal fat – and make conventional weight loss disproportionately difficult. This is why women with PCOS often find that they need to restrict calories far more severely than others to achieve the same weight loss, and why weight tends to return rapidly when restriction stops.

Tirzepatide addresses insulin resistance directly. By improving insulin sensitivity and reducing fasting glucose, it targets the core metabolic driver of PCOS – not just the visible symptom of excess weight. Real-world data published at ObesityWeek 2025 from a retrospective study of 4,241 UK women with PCOS prescribed tirzepatide showed that over 90% lost at least 10% of their body weight within 10 months, with a mean weight loss of 18.81%. Improvements in irregular menstrual cycles, insulin resistance and androgen levels were also reported.

For patients with PCOS and associated hirsutism, MediGlow can also offer laser hair removal using the Nd:YAG 1064nm on the Cutera xeo+ – safe for South Asian skin tones. Managing both the metabolic condition and the cosmetic presentations it causes is something we are specifically equipped to do in one clinic.

Why does it matter who prescribes Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine. In the UK, it can only be legally prescribed by a registered prescriber – a GP, a specialist doctor or an independent prescriber. Online providers offering it without a proper clinical assessment are not operating within good clinical practice, regardless of whether the prescription is technically legal.

The clinical assessment before prescribing tirzepatide is not a formality. It includes a review of your full medical history – thyroid disease, pancreatitis history, renal function – and a thorough medication check. Tirzepatide interacts with oral contraceptives, requiring additional contraception for four weeks after starting or after each dose increase. It must be used with caution alongside other glucose-lowering medications that carry hypoglycaemia risk. Patients on anticoagulants or with relevant gastrointestinal history need specific assessment.

As a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber, I can assess all of these factors independently – without a GP referral, without a third-party prescription, without a teleconsultation that lasts four minutes. I can review your entire medication list, assess your clinical suitability, issue the prescription and manage the titration schedule over time. I can also monitor for the most common side effects – predominantly gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting) – which are typically mild to moderate and improve as the body adjusts, and advise on how to manage them practically.

What does the Mounjaro consultation at MediGlow include?

Every Mounjaro consultation at MediGlow follows a structured clinical assessment. This is not a checkbox exercise – it is a proper prescriber consultation with a pharmacist who has over a decade of NHS and hospital clinical background.

We will review your full medical history and current medications before any prescription is agreed. We will assess your BMI, weight history and any weight-related comorbidities. We will discuss realistic expectations – what tirzepatide can and cannot achieve, and the lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, sleep) that significantly affect outcomes. We will discuss the titration schedule, the most common side effects and how to manage them. And we will agree a follow-up schedule to monitor your progress, adjust the dose if needed and ensure the treatment is working safely.

If Mounjaro is not suitable for you – either because of a contraindication or because a different approach is more appropriate for your situation – we will tell you that clearly. That is what prescriber-led care looks like.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Mounjaro in Glasgow

Is Mounjaro available privately in Glasgow?

Yes. Mounjaro is available on private prescription in Glasgow from a registered independent prescriber. NHS availability through GPs varies significantly by integrated care board and eligibility criteria. Private prescribing allows eligible patients to access tirzepatide without the NHS wait or the higher BMI threshold that applies to NHS provision. At MediGlow, we can assess suitability and issue a private prescription at the same consultation if appropriate.

How much weight can I expect to lose on Mounjaro?

In the SURMOUNT-1 phase 3 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants taking 15mg tirzepatide lost an average of 22.5% of their body weight over 72 weeks. At 5mg the average was 16.0%. Real-world outcomes typically fall within a similar range, though results vary by individual and are significantly enhanced by concurrent lifestyle changes. At 10 months, UK real-world data shows a mean weight loss of approximately 18% in patients using tirzepatide as part of a supported programme.

What are the most common side effects of Mounjaro?

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal – nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation. These are typically mild to moderate and occur most commonly when the dose is increased. They usually diminish within the first few weeks at each dose level. Starting at the lowest dose (2.5mg) and titrating slowly is the most effective way to minimise side effects. Eating smaller meals, avoiding fatty or spicy foods and staying well hydrated during the adjustment period all help.

Can I get Mounjaro on the NHS in Glasgow?

NHS availability for Mounjaro in Scotland depends on your individual eligibility and your local NHS board. NICE technology appraisal TA1026 (December 2024) recommends tirzepatide for weight management in adults with a BMI of 35 kg/m² or above with at least one weight-related comorbidity. Lower thresholds apply for minority ethnic groups. From April 2026, tirzepatide has been incorporated into the GP QOF contract in England -but GP participation is not mandated and availability varies. For patients in Scotland, we recommend discussing NHS eligibility with your GP while also considering private prescribing as an alternative route.

Do I need a GP referral to get Mounjaro at MediGlow?

No. As a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber, Lalit Matai can assess, prescribe and manage tirzepatide treatment independently – without a GP referral or third-party prescription. A full clinical consultation, medical history review and medication assessment are conducted before any prescription is issued.

About the Author

Lalit Matai is a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber and co-founder of MediGlow Aesthetics and Health in Thornliebank, Glasgow. GPhC registration: 2086556.

He holds an MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis from the University of Strathclyde and qualified as an Independent Prescriber at Robert Gordon University.

He has over 10 years of NHS and hospital clinical experience across England and Scotland, including hospital-based practice at Girvan Community Hospital.

Lalit trained in aesthetic medicine at the Derma Institute London and under the mentorship of Dr Tim Pearce at Skin Viva. He holds Cutera laser certifications and is co-founder of Scotland’s first Cutera Enlighten SR clinic.

About Lalit: medi-glow.co.uk/about/lalit-matai/