Warning: This article contains discussion of eating disorders which some readers may find distressing.
The Mounjaro roll out across the NHS has begun, but if you want to get the drug then you'll need to meet some specific requirements.
It's believed that around 220,000 people will be prescribed the jab over the next three years, and though that sounds like a lot the supply pales in comparison to the demand.
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As such, the NHS will be prioritising those with the 'greatest need' for the injection which slows down your digestion and makes you feel more full, thus reducing your appetite and food intake.
Your GP has been given the green light to prescribe Mounjaro since Monday (23 June), though many GPs won't be able to do so because of the lack of supply.
So you can talk to your doctor about Mounjaro but there's every chance they won't have any to prescribe you, and you'll need to be a specific weight before you can be given any through the NHS.
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Mounjaro weight requirement
If you're going to be prescribed Mounjaro on the NHS then you must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40, meaning that according to health guidelines you would be classed as 'severely obese'.
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For those of an ethnic minority background the BMI requirement is dropped slightly to 37.5, the NHS guide to BMI says people from these backgrounds need to use a lower score when calculating their BMI.
Your BMI depends on your height as well as your weight, so people's weight requirements to get Mounjaro will depend on that as well.
The average British woman is 5ft3in so would need to weigh around 103kg to have a BMI of 40 or more and qualify for Mounjaro, while the average bloke is about 5ft9in and would weigh in at about 123kg to be eligible.
As long as you know your height and weight you can calculate your BMI using a handy tool on the NHS website, though a GP will want to confirm the results before they write you a prescription for Mounjaro.
Other conditions
In addition to your BMI, you must be suffering from four out of five health conditions to pass the requirements for a Mounjaro prescription.
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The five health conditions are:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Should you have four of these five and a BMI of over 40 then you class as one of the people with the 'greatest need' for Mounjaro and your GP may decided to prescribe you with it.
Just remember that they might not have any to prescribe.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like to speak with someone in confidence, call the BEAT Eating Disorders helpline on 0808 801 0677. Helplines are open 3pm-8pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can try the one-to-one webchat.
Joe Harker