Remember : Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Is Officially Approved by the MHRA for Weight Loss

Just a reminder : the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) officially approved Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss and long-term weight management in the UK. Though this landmark authorisation was first announced in November 2023, it remains one of the most important developments in the treatment of obesity and overweight-related health issues in recent years.

At Happy Pharmacy, we only prescribe approved weight loss medications like Mounjaro, and we are focused on only the best treatments , personalised to you , with the emphasis on best practice and safety.

In this blog, we revisit the MHRA’s decision, what Mounjaro is, how it works, and why it’s crucial to access this medication through a trusted, GPhC-regulated provider.

What Is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a weekly injectable medication initially authorised in the UK for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Following new clinical research and regulatory review, Mounjaro is now officially approved by the MHRA for weight loss in adults with obesity or those who are overweight and suffer from related medical conditions.

The approval marks a significant milestone in the availability of effective, non-surgical weight management tools in the UK.

MHRA’s Approval: A Quick Recap

On 8 November 2023, the MHRA announced that it had authorised a new use for Mounjaro to help manage body weight in adults aged 18 and over. This decision followed a rapid yet rigorous assessment process due to the growing public health need to address obesity across the UK.

Mounjaro is now approved for:

• Adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above (classified as obese), or

• Adults with a BMI between 27–30 kg/m² (overweight) with at least one weight-related health issue, such as:

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol

  • Heart disease

  • Prediabetes

This MHRA-authorised use is in addition to its use for Type 2 diabetes, making tirzepatide one of the few dual-purpose medications targeting both conditions.

How Mounjaro Helps with Weight Loss

Mounjaro works by mimicking the effects of two hormones (GIP and GLP-1) that regulate hunger and insulin in the body. By activating these hormonal pathways, tirzepatide:

• Reduces appetite

• Increases feelings of fullness

• Helps reduce food cravings

• Improves metabolic regulation

This mechanism allows patients to consume fewer calories without the constant struggle of hunger, which is often a barrier to sustained weight loss.

Proven Results from Clinical Trials

The MHRA’s decision was based on robust clinical evidence from two major trials: SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-2.

SURMOUNT-1 (Patients without diabetes)

• 2,539 adults were enrolled

• After 72 weeks, patients taking 15mg tirzepatide lost an average of 22.5% of their body weight

• 96.3% of participants achieved at least 5% weight loss, compared to 27.9% with placebo

SURMOUNT-2 (Patients with Type 2 diabetes)

• Nearly 940 participants

• Average weight loss with 15mg tirzepatide: 15.7%

• Over 86% of patients lost at least 5% of their weight

These results are among the most successful for any injectable weight loss treatment currently available in the UK.

How Mounjaro Is Taken

Mounjaro is supplied as a pre-filled injection pen that is self-administered once weekly. The medication is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) into the stomach area, thigh, or upper arm.

Dosing Schedule

• Start with 2.5mg once a week for 4 weeks

• Increase to 5mg once a week

• Titration to higher doses (up to 15mg weekly) may follow, with at least 4-week intervals between increases

The exact dosing plan should be guided by a UK-registered pharmacist or prescriber, such as those at Happy Pharmacy.

Important Considerations for Female Patients

Women who are overweight or obese and use oral contraceptives should be aware that Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of the pill—especially during dose changes.

To avoid unplanned pregnancy, the MHRA recommends:

• Using a barrier method (e.g., condoms), or

• Switching to a non-oral contraceptive for:

  • 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro, and

  • 4 weeks after each increase in dose

Common Side Effects

While Mounjaro is generally well-tolerated, the most common side effects include:

• Nausea

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

These effects are usually mild and temporary. In patients with diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) may also occur.

If you experience any unusual symptoms, report them to your healthcare provider or directly via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Only Available from Registered Pharmacies Like Happy Pharmacy

It’s important to understand that Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine, and in the UK, it can only be obtained from pharmacies registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)—such as Happy Pharmacy.

Why Choose Happy Pharmacy?

✅ GPhC-regulated
✅ Supply of MHRA-approved weight loss medications
✅ All prescriptions reviewed by UK-registered pharmacists
✅ Secure, encrypted consultations and payments
✅ Discreet delivery across the UK
✅ Trusted source for authentic medications only

By choosing Happy Pharmacy, you’re guaranteed professional advice, strict data privacy, and access to genuine, regulated treatments.

A Timely Reminder: Mounjaro is a Game-Changer

Obesity continues to be one of the UK’s most pressing health challenges. The MHRA’s approval of Mounjaro as a weight loss treatment provides new hope for individuals who have struggled with conventional methods.

At Happy Pharmacy, we are committed to helping you make the most of this breakthrough treatment in a safe, convenient, and clinically responsible way.

How to Get Mounjaro from Happy Pharmacy

1. Complete an online consultation with our pharmacy team  Weight Loss Consultation Form - For Weight Loss Treatment

2. Answer health and medical questions securely

3. If suitable, a UK pharmacist will issue a prescription

4. Your Mounjaro pen will be discreetly dispatched to your chosen address

Final Thoughts

Though the MHRA approval was announced in 2023, it's important to remind patients today that Mounjaro remains a licensed and effective option for medical weight loss in the UK.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your weight loss journey with an MHRA-approved treatment, trust Happy Pharmacy—your regulated online provider of Mounjaro and other prescription weight loss medications.

Start today. Lose weight with confidence.
✅ Begin your Mounjaro consultation now
✅ View our full range of weight loss treatments

Blog medically reviewed by : Palvinder Deol, GPhC Registered Pharmacist, 26 May 2025