What are my options if I can't afford Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is one of the most effective weight loss medications available, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. You may be looking for an alternative because Mounjaro has become too expensive for your budget, you're finding the side effects difficult to manage, you would prefer a tablet instead of an injection, or you're interested in an over-the-counter option.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives to Mounjaro injections available in the UK, and this guide can help you find the best one for you. We'll compare the main alternatives, looking at cost, effectiveness, how they work, and who they may be most suitable for.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to Mounjaro, there are several options available. Some provide similar weight loss results at a lower starting price, while others are more affordable because they work differently, are generic rather than branded, or are available over the counter. This table compares all the cheaper alternatives to Mounjaro available in the UK:

*assumes you are following the standard dosing schedule. Prices reflect those of ZAVA’s consultation service.

**percentage of initial body weight lost according to data taken from emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for each treatment.

If Mounjaro isn't right for you, there are other weight loss injections that you could consider. Wegovy and Nevolat are both approved for weight loss in the UK and work in a similar way to Mounjaro by reducing your appetite to make weight loss easier.

Wegovy

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is a weekly weight loss injection, like Mounjaro. It works in a similar way, reducing your appetite and slowing down your digestion, helping you feel fuller for longer. Unlike Mounjaro, which is a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, Wegovy is only a GLP-1 agonist.

Wegovy injections can help you lose on average 21%* of your starting body weight at the maximum 7.2mg dose. It comes in 6 doses, and you can increase your dose after at least 4 weeks on your current dose as long as you have no difficult side effects:

1. 0.25mg
2. 0.5mg
3. 1mg
4. 1.7mg
5. 2.4mg
6. 7.2mg

*percentage of initial body weight lost according to data taken from emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for each treatment.

**assumes you are following the standard dosing schedule. Prices reflect those of ZAVA’s consultation service.

Nevolat

Nevolat is a daily weight loss injection that contains liraglutide. Like with other weight loss injections, it works by reducing appetite and slowing down digestion. Like Wegovy, Nevolat is a GLP-1 agonist only and not a GLP-1 and GIP agonist like Mounjaro.

Nevolat leads to an average weight loss of 8% of starting body weight after 56 weeks after reaching the maximum dose of 3mg. It comes in 5 doses and, you can increase after 1 week on your current dose as long as you haven’t had any difficult side effects:

1. 0.6mg
2. 1.2mg
3. 1.8mg
4. 2.4mg
5. 3.0mg

*percentage of initial body weight lost according to data taken from emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for each treatment.

**assumes you are following the standard dosing schedule. Prices reflect those of ZAVA’s consultation service.

If you want to look at alternatives that don’t involve self-injecting, there are oral options available. There are 3 types of oral alternatives to Mounjaro, including:

• pills that contain GLP-1s, like the injections do
• tablets that reduce appetite, but don’t contain GLP-1s
• capsules containing orlistat, a medication that blocks fat absorption

GLP-1 oral alternatives

The Wegovy pill is the first oral GLP-1 treatment for weight loss to become available in the UK. Since it contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy injections, it supports weight loss in a similar way. The main difference comes from how the medication is absorbed into the body. Another oral GLP-1 treatment available is Foundayo. Foundayo works in the same way as Wegovy pill, except it contains orforglipron and is taken in a slightly different way.

GLP-1 pills could be a good alternative if you want an effective appetite suppressant, but you don’t feel comfortable self-injecting or you find daily tablets easier to manage.

*percentage of initial body weight lost according to data taken from emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for each treatment.

**assumes you are following the standard dosing schedule. Prices reflect those of ZAVA’s consultation service.

Mysimba

Mysimba is also an appetite suppressant, like the Wegovy pill and Mounjaro. However, it doesn’t contain a GLP-1 medication. Instead, Mysimba contains 2 active ingredients – naltrexone and bupropion, which reduce appetite but don’t control blood sugar or slow digestion.

Still, like the Wegovy pill, Mysimba may be a good alternative for people who want an appetite suppressant without managing injections.

*percentage of initial body weight lost according to data taken from emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for each treatment.

**assumes you are following the standard dosing schedule. Prices reflect those of ZAVA’s consultation service.

Fat absorption blockers

Rather than reducing appetite, there are a group of weight loss pills available in the UK that reduce fat absorption instead. These all contain the active ingredient ‘orlistat’ and work by stopping some of the fat from food being absorbed in your digestive system. This means your body doesn’t process those calories, making it easier to achieve a calorie deficit and lose weight.

These pills need to be taken before meals that contain fat, alongside a low fat diet.

*percentage of initial body weight lost according to data taken from emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for each treatment.

**assumes you are following the standard dosing schedule. Prices reflect those of ZAVA’s consultation service.

There's no single weight loss treatment that's guaranteed to have fewer side effects than Mounjaro. Everyone responds differently to medication, so a treatment that's well tolerated by one person may cause more noticeable side effects in someone else.

It’s also worth remembering that side effects are usually linked to dose. If you’re having side effects on Mounjaro, or you want to reduce your chance of side effects with an alternative, the best solution may be to stick with a lower dose long-term.

Not everyone gets side effects from weight loss treatment. Most people who do get side effects find they’re only mild and usually go away by themselves. Side effects are most likely when you first start treatment or just after increasing your dose.

Common GLP-1 side effects

GLP-1 agonist medications like Mounjaro, Wegovy, Nevolat, and the Wegovy pill work in a similar way, so they also share similar side effects, including:

• feeling sick
• throwing up
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach pain or cramps
• indigestion
• bloating
• reduced appetite
• burping

Common Mysimba side effects

Although Mysimba lowers appetite, it works differently to GLP-1 treatments and works more on the brain than the digestive system. As a result, common side effects are a little different and include:

• feeling sick
• constipation
• headache
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• anxiety
• throwing up

Common fat absorption blocker side effects

Orlistat-containing medications that reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs usually cause side effects related to too much fat leaving your body, including:

• oily or fatty poo
• a sudden, urgent need to use the toilet
• gas with oily discharge
• mild stomach discomfort
• diarrhoea
• needing to poo more often

How to avoid side effects

Many of the most common side effects can be managed with simple lifestyle changes while your body adjusts to treatment. In some cases, you might benefit from medication to help manage side effects.

Gentle home remedies for feeling sick

Some people find mild home remedies help improve feeling sick while their body adjusts to treatment. These include:

• ginger tea, ginger biscuits, or fresh ginger
• peppermint tea
• eating plain foods such as toast, crackers, or plain rice
• avoiding lying down right after eating

Other factors can cause nausea, too. Consider:

Anti-sickness medication

If feeling sick or throwing up is making it difficult to eat, drink, or continue your treatment, speak to a doctor. They can check whether your symptoms are expected, whether you would benefit from staying on your current dose for longer, or whether another treatment may be more suitable.

In some cases, they may recommend or prescribe an anti-sickness (antiemetic) medication to help manage feeling sick while your body adjusts to treatment. These medications aren't needed by everyone taking weight loss medications, but they can be appropriate if symptoms won't go away or they’re affecting your daily life.

Some people want weight loss treatment, but would prefer a non-prescription option. This could be because over-the-counter options are cheaper, or because they don’t want to have to go through their GP for treatment.

There are 2 over-the-counter weight loss treatment options available in the UK:

• Orlos
• alli

Both of these are fat absorption blockers that contain 60mg of orlistat – half the amount of prescription orlistat capsules.

You can buy these medications over the counter in pharmacies, but you can also request them online from weight loss providers like ZAVA by completing a short online questionnaire.

Prescription treatments online

You can request prescription weight loss treatments online without going to your GP. Prescription treatments are the most effective option and online doctor services allow you to access these treatments in a way that’s more convenient.

Our UK-registered doctors can assess you remotely and approve prescription treatments y if it’s right for you. Your treatment can then be delivered to your door or to a local Post Office for collection.Throughout your treatment, you’ll get regular check ins and support from our team.

Weight loss is possible without medications like Mounjaro or its alternatives. This might be right for you if you find treatments like Mounjaro are too expensive, you can’t manage the side effects, or they don’t work for you.

Lifestyle changes

It is possible to lose weight without medication by simply making healthy changes to your lifestyle.

Diet and portion sizing

Eating a balanced diet can help create a calorie deficit while ensuring your body gets the nutrients it needs. This generally means eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lean protein, and healthy fats, while limiting foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

Higher-fibre and higher-protein diets may help increase feelings of fullness, making it easier to eat less without feeling hungry. Reducing portion sizes can also lower calorie intake and support weight loss over time.

Exercise and movement

Regular physical activity can help with weight loss by increasing the number of calories you burn and helping preserve muscle mass during weight loss. This can be combined with diet to make reaching a calorie deficit easier.

Exercise does not have to mean high-intensity workouts and how much exercise you need depends on your goals and current fitness level. Walking, swimming, cycling, and home workouts can all help. More accessible options are also available, such as chair yoga, mobility exercises, resistance bands, and seated cardio.

Sleep and wellbeing

Sleep and stress can both affect appetite and weight. Studies have found that sleeping too little is associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese, partly because lack of sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate hunger and fullness. Chronic stress may also increase levels of cortisol, a hormone linked with emotional eating and increased abdominal fat.

Alcohol, sugar, and caffeine

Studies show a clear link between heavy alcohol drinking and increased weight, but it’s not as obvious with light-to-moderate drinking. Still, alcohol and alcoholic drinks add a lot of extra calories to your diet and make dieting more difficult overall. Cutting down or avoiding drinking altogether can help your weight loss journey.

Research also shows high-sugar foods and drinks lead to weight gain. Switching to low-sugar snacks and sugar-free drinks can help reduce the calories gained from sugar and stabilise blood sugar and hormones, making eating health easier.

Although research has shown caffeine can lead to lower weight, there is no strong evidence to suggest it can promote long lasting weight loss. If you do drink caffeine, try to make sure not to have high-calorie drinks like sugary energy drinks or blended coffees.

Weight loss supplements

You may see supplements marketed as ‘natural alternatives to Mounjaro’. However, there is currently no strong evidence that over-the-counter supplements produce significant weight loss results compared to licensed medications such as Mounjaro or alternative medication.

Switching from Mounjaro to another weight loss medication doesn't cause any unique side effects on its own. However, you may get side effects when starting a new medication or increasing your dose, as your body adjusts to the treatment.

These are the same types of side effects people commonly experience when beginning any GLP-1 medication, including:

• feeling sick
• throwing up
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach discomfort

How to switch from Mounjaro safely

Usually, you'll be advised to wait at least 7 days (1 week) after your last Mounjaro injection before starting another medication.

A doctor can answer any specific questions you have, and also let you know how to switch safely and the correct starting dose for you. You'll usually begin on a lower dose and gradually increase it to help minimise side effects. In some cases, you may be able to switch to a dose higher than the starting dose.

The main safety concern when switching is starting your new medication too soon after your last dose of Mounjaro. Taking 2 weight loss medications too close together can increase the risk of side effects and more serious complications as well.

For more information, see our guides on:

• switching from GLP-1 weight loss injections to Wegovy pills
• switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy

Mounjaro is the most effective weight loss treatment available in the UK, with clinical trials showing participants on the highest dose losing an average of 22.5% of their starting weight after 72 weeks

However, that doesn't mean Mounjaro is the best option for everyone. The right treatment for you may depend on:

• how effective the medication is for you
• side effects you are experiencing
• your budget
• whether you want to use a weekly injection or oral alternatives
• how you want to access your medication

Quick situational guide for next best alternative:

If Mounjaro is too expensive

If cost is your main concern, the Wegovy pill or Wegovy injection may be worth considering, since they have similar active ingredients and can sometimes be available at a lower price.

Both are very effective, even if they are slightly less effective than Mounjaro. Since Wegovy injections and pills both reduce appetite and slow digestion, you can expect a similar experience to using Mounjaro.

If you're experiencing side effects

Again, Wegovy treatments may be a good alternative as you may not get the same side effects. Before switching however, remember that reducing your Mounjaro dosage can also help with any side effects, while still providing an effective weight loss treatment.

If you’ve had side effects after trying multiple treatments, or you want to avoid the risk altogether, you could try non-medication options. Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes can support weight loss without involving medication.

If you prefer a tablet over injections or you don't want needles

The Wegovy pill, Mysimba, or fat absorption blocking pills are all licensed and proven weight loss treatments that don’t involve injections. Any of these can support weight loss in place of Mounjaro, although they can be less effective than Mounjaro as well.

If you want a an over-the-counter medication

Orlos and alli are both over-the-counter fat absorption blocking pills licensed in the UK. They can be requested without getting a prescription from a doctor. You can also request prescription treatment online without going through your GP.

If you are not seeing the results you were expecting

Weight loss progress looks different for everybody. If you have made the lifestyle adjustments suggested by your healthcare provider and you are still not seeing results, you should consider an alternative weight loss treatment to Mounjaro. Stopping Mounjaro may require restarting at a lower dose if you decide to start treatment again later. You must be sure you have followed the lifestyle changes and advise of your doctor before stopping or switching medication.

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