All the ways Mounjaro is different to Ozempic as the new weight loss jab is rolled out in UK next week

Getting health advice off people like celebrities and what you see on the internet is rarely a good idea.

But after both Ozempic and Mounjaro became widely talked about online by those seeking to lose weight, it's become increasingly popular in the UK, despite health experts and pharmaceutical companies continuing to urge that they are prescription-only drugs.

While some people have even been banned from TikTok after illegally advertising the GLP-1 medications, it seems as if these jabs may soon become even more common, as the UK prepares to roll out Mounjaro in the NHS.

When is Mounjaro being ‘rolled out’ across the UK and how will it work?

From Monday 23 June, Mounjaro will be made available to eligible patients for weight-loss purposes via prescription.

Some GPs have stressed that they still won't be offering the drug (Getty Stock)

It is expected that at the initial phase, it will only be prescribed to patients with a BMI of over 40, who also have at least four of the specified weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease.

In the second phase, which is expected in 2026, the BMI will be reduced to between 35 and 39.9, but those four health conditions are likely to still be required.

What are GPs saying about the national Mounjaro rollout?

As many people have looked towards online pharmacies to find the drug, where prescription rules perhaps aren't as tight, some GPs have stressed that they still won't be offering out Mounjaro in the near future.

As reported by The Sun, Crayford Town Surgery in Kent said: “We do not prescribe weight loss jabs so please do not ask.”

Fairhill Medical Practice in Kingston, South West London, added: “Once we are able to prescribe, they will be offered to those with the highest medical need only.”

While Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “NHS provision won’t meet demand straight away.

“In reality, many GPs lack the bandwidth to deliver the level of support needed.

“We expect that many people will continue seeking it privately.”

What is the difference between Ozempic and Mounjaro?

Despite both being GLP-1 medications which are used to treat diabetes, there are plenty of differences between Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Mounjaro works by reducing your appetite, making you feel fuller for longer and lowering your blood sugar, which is why it is primarily used to treat those with Type 2 diabetes.

Mounjaro will be available to eligible patients next Monday (Getty Stock)

Ozempic also increases the insulin produced in the body, but differs from Mounjaro in that it only works as a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, in that it mimics the action of a natural molecule, whereas Mounjaro also works as a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).

Also perhaps the major difference is that Ozempic isn't yet approved as purely a weight-loss medication.

There are also contrasts when it comes to side effects, as Jeremy Clarkson famously struggled on Ozempic before making the switch to Mounjaro.

What happens if you quit Mounjaro?

In an ideal world, you wouldn't be taking these weight loss injections for too long, as hopefully, you'll be able to effectively treat other health conditions through the rapid weight loss and diet changes.

However, you're likely to experience an increased appetite, which is why it's important to continue exercising and enjoying a balanced diet, if you want to avoid putting the weight back on.