Mounjaro Price Increase: What It Means for Patients
From 1 September 2025, the price of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in the UK will increase significantly. This change comes directly from the manufacturer, Eli Lilly, who have raised the wholesale price by up to 170%.
This increase will affect every private provider — pharmacies, private clinics, and digital services like ours. The formulation and effectiveness of Mounjaro remain the same, but the cost of treatment will be higher for all patients paying privately.
At PillSorted, we know this is disruptive and concerning. Our promise is to be transparent, keep you informed, and support you in finding the best possible treatment option.
Why are Mounjaro prices increasing?
Eli Lilly is currently the only supplier of Mounjaro. At launch, the UK price was set lower than other countries to improve early access for NHS patients. Lilly have explained that, with new clinical data and changes in the environment, they are now aligning the price more closely with other European countries.
In a statement, Ely Lily said: “The UK was one of the first countries where Lilly launched Mounjaro, and our priority was to bring it to patients as quickly as possible during a time of limited availability.” At launch, Lilly agreed to a UK list price that is significantly below the European average to prevent delays in NHS availability.” With changes in the environment and new clinical evidence supporting the value of Mounjaro, we are now aligning the list price more consistently to ensure fair global contributions to the cost of innovation.”
This is a manufacturer decision. All private providers are required to follow it.
What this means for you
If you are using Mounjaro, you will see the new higher price from September 2025, regardless of your provider.
The effectiveness of Mounjaro has not changed — it remains one of the most effective treatments for type 2 diabetes and weight management.
We understand the sudden rise in cost may raise questions about long-term affordability.
Your options
Mounjaro continues to deliver outstanding results, and many patients may decide it’s still the best option despite the higher cost.
For others, it may be time to consider an alternative. One option is Wegovy (semaglutide), which is also highly effective, clinically proven, and may be more cost-effective than Mounjaro.
This is a decision that is personal to the patient. Here at PillSorted, we will provide you with all the information you need so that we can come to the best decision for you.
Mounjaro vs Wegovy – what’s the difference?
Both medicines belong to the GLP-1 class. They mimic a natural hormone that regulates appetite, glucose, and digestion.
- Cost: Wegovy is generally more affordable than the new Mounjaro prices.
- Mounjaro has a dual action: it mimics GLP-1 and another hormone (GIP), which may explain its stronger effect in some studies.
- Wegovy is still very effective and has its own benefits, including being the only GLP-1 licensed in the UK to reduce the risk of major cardiac events in people with obesity and established heart disease.
Considering switching to Wegovy?
Wegovy is a highly effective treatment, backed by strong clinical evidence.
- Weight loss results: Wegovy is a proven alternative to Mounjaro, with excellent results shown in multiple studies. In the landmark STEP-1 trial (2021), patients achieved around 15% body weight reduction by week 68. Across STEP-1 and other trials (STEP-3, 4, and 8), average weight loss ranged between 14.9% and 17.4% at 68 weeks.
- Cardiometabolic benefits: Beyond weight loss, Wegovy has been shown to improve overall health, including reductions in waist size, blood pressure, HbA1c, and cholesterol. It is currently the only GLP-1 medication in the UK licensed to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (such as heart attack and stroke) in people with obesity and established heart disease.
- Cost: For many patients, Wegovy may be a more cost-effective option than Mounjaro.
- Duration of treatment: Wegovy is licensed for use up to two years, whereas Mounjaro currently does not have this restriction.
How do I switch to Wegovy?
Switching is always your choice, but it must be approved by one of our prescribers to ensure it’s safe and suitable for you.
Here’s a clear step-by-step version in PillSorted’s tone:
Titrate to your optimal dose You’ll continue to increase every 4 weeks, as with Mounjaro, until you reach your best dose. We’ll tailor the plan to you—considering your treatment history, last dose, side-effect profile, and response.
Get clinical approval Switching is your choice, but it must be reviewed and approved by a PillSorted prescriber to confirm it’s safe and suitable for you.
Plan your washout Wait at least 7 days after your last Mounjaro dose before your first Wegovy dose. This washout helps minimise side effects.
Start at the licensed first dose Begin Wegovy at 0.25 mg, then increase every 4 weeks as tolerated through 0.5 mg → 1 mg → 1.7 mg → 2.4 mg. Starting higher than 0.25 mg is off-label and only considered after clinical discussion.
Expect some overlap Mounjaro remains in the body for 4–5 weeks. You may still feel some appetite suppression during the transition, which often makes the lower starting dose more manageable.
Consider a higher starting dose (case-by-case) If you’ve been taking—and tolerating—higher Mounjaro doses, a higher Wegovy starting dose may be appropriate, but only after consultation with our team (this is off-label).
Am I eligible for Wegovy?
Wegovy follows the same eligibility criteria as Mounjaro:
- A BMI of 30 or higher, or
- A BMI of 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure.
If you’ve already lost weight on Mounjaro and your BMI is now below these thresholds, you may still be able to switch. In this case, a pharmacist will review your situation and decide if Wegovy is clinically appropriate for you.
