Weight Loss Medication

What you can take for weight loss depends on your medical history and body mass index (BMI). This is because several weight loss treatments need a prescription, which requires a medical assessment. 

Generally, for a prescription weight loss treatment, you need to meet one of the following criteria:

• You have obesity, which means your BMI is 30 or over
• You are overweight and have a weight-related health issue, which means your BMI is between 27 and 30, and you also have a condition linked to your weight like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes or sleep apnoea

If you don’t fall into either of these categories, you may be able to take an over the counter weight loss medication as these do not need a prescription. 

At My Chemist Plus, our weight management service includes both prescription and non-prescription options. You can complete our quick online health form to help our expert prescribers find a suitable treatment option you’re eligible for.

In the UK, there are many evidence-based medications proven to support weight loss and management alongside diet and exercise. Some are prescription only, while others are available over the counter. They are generally split into weekly injections and daily oral options:

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide): A once-weekly weight loss injection that acts on two hormone receptors to help lower appetite, slow digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce cravings.
  

• Wegovy (semaglutide): A once-weekly weight loss injection that acts on one hormone receptor to regulate hunger, slow digestion, and reduce cravings.
  

• Wegovy tablets (semaglutide): A daily oral weight loss medication that offers the same appetite-regulating benefits as the Wegovy injection.
• Xenical (orlistat): An oral capsule containing a lipase inhibitor you take with meals. It works by stopping enzymes in your gut from breaking down dietary fats to reduce fat absorption. This is also available over the counter at a low dose as the brand Alli.

Specialist prescribers, including doctors, can issue several drugs for weight loss treatment depending on your condition and treatment goals. This includes weight loss injections and tablets.

• Weight loss injections, include Wegovy and Mounjaro
• Weight loss pills, include Wegovy tablets, Orlistat and Xenical, or Alli (a weight loss pill containing a lower dose of orlistat)

At My Chemist Plus, we offer a range of proven weight loss medication, from injections to oral tablets, to support weight loss and management that’s clinically safe and backed by science. Fill out our simple health questionnaire and one of our specialist prescribers can match you to a weight loss treatment that’s right for you.

It’s difficult to say which weight loss medication is the best as the right choice depends on your personal health goals, lifestyle preferences, and how your body responds to treatment. Weight loss treatments come in different forms, have different modes of action, and carry different side effects. 

When deciding which treatment is right for you, consider the following:

• Your preference for needles vs tablets: If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of a weekly injection, daily oral treatments can be a more appealing option, such as the daily Wegovy pill or Orlistat.
• How the medication works: Weight loss injections, like Wegovy and Mounjaro, work by mimicking natural gut hormones to help curb appetite and slow digestion. Other treatments, such as Orlistat, do not affect appetite and work by reducing fat absorption from your meals.
• Side effects: Everybody responds differently to treatment. Some people may tolerate Wegovy well, while others may struggle with its side effects and prefer Mounjaro instead.

Ultimately, the best weight loss medication is the one that fits your daily routine and safely supports you in achieving your targets. Our clinical team can review your medical history through an online consultation to help you choose the most effective and suitable path forward. Simply fill out our quick health questionnaire to get started.

All MHRA-approved weight loss treatments are clinically safe when used correctly, including Mounjaro, Wegovy, Xenical and Orlistat. Like all treatments, weight loss medication can cause side effects and carries risks. 

Common mild side effects can happen with most weight loss treatments, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and gas. If you have certain medical conditions, some weight loss treatments may not be suitable, such as pancreatitis for Wegovy or chronic kidney disease (CKD) for Orlistat.

During your consultation, your prescriber carefully reviews your medical history, discusses potential side effects, and weighs the benefits to make sure the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.

You can get weight loss medication through a prescription or over the counter, depending on what the treatment is.

• Over the counter: Orlistat (60mg dose), including Alli
• Prescription-only: Wegovy injections, Wegovy pills, Mounjaro, and Xenical

To get a prescription-only weight loss treatment, you must get a prescription following a medical assessment by your prescriber. You can also get a private prescription through a certified online pharmacy. 

At My Chemist Plus, we offer private prescriptions for a range of weight loss treatments if clinically appropriate. Simply complete our health form to start your consultation with a specialist prescriber to check your eligibility.

Generally speaking, weight loss medications support weight loss and management in one of two ways:

• Appetite regulators, such as GLP-1-based medicines, including Wegovy and Mounjaro: These medicines replicate how natural gut hormones work to slow down how quickly food leaves your stomach, keeping you fuller for longer. They also signal the brain to control your appetite, and reduce constant thoughts about food and cravings.
• Fat blockers, such as Orlistat and Xenical: These oral tablets contain lipase inhibitors. They work by binding to enzymes that break down fats in your gut to reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs from a meal. They do not regulate your appetite in any way.

Both types of weight loss treatments are designed to support weight management alongside a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and exercise.