NHS access guide
How Long Can You Stay on Mounjaro? NHS and Private Rules
Mounjaro has no maximum treatment period on the NHS. Wegovy does, and it stops after two years at most. Privately there is no cap at all, but the pharmacy sets its own rules. Below is what decides whether you carry on, and what happens if you stop.
Key facts
- NHS Mounjaro has no maximum period under NICE TA1026. You continue through regular review.
- NHS Wegovy stops after 2 years at most under NICE TA875.
- A 6-month check applies. Losing under 5% at the highest tolerated dose triggers a reassessment.
- Privately there is no NHS cap, but pharmacies set their own BMI rules for maintenance.
- Weight usually returns after stopping, so the long term needs planning with your prescriber.
The rules at a glance
| Route | Maximum period | 6-month check | What decides whether you continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS Mounjaro (NICE TA1026) | None set | Under 5% lost at the highest tolerated dose triggers reassessment | Regular reviews with your GP or specialist team |
| NHS Wegovy (NICE TA875) | 2 years | Yes | The 2-year limit applies regardless of how well it is working |
| Private Mounjaro | None | Set by the pharmacy | Your prescriber, the pharmacy's BMI policy and what you can afford |
The difference between the two NHS medicines surprises people. Mounjaro is the one without a time limit, which matters if you are choosing between them or being moved from one to the other.
The private limit nobody tells you about
There is no legal or NICE cap on how long you can buy Mounjaro privately. The limit is the pharmacy's own policy, and it usually bites at the bottom end rather than the top.
Most pharmacies set a BMI floor. As you lose weight and approach it, the pharmacy may reduce your dose, move you to maintenance, or decline to supply. Policies differ, so a provider that stops you at one BMI may not be the provider your friend uses.
Before you commit to a long plan, check the terms as well as the price. Our switching guide covers moving provider if yours will not keep prescribing.
Be careful with long tie-ins. If a pharmacy wants you locked into a fixed-term plan, remember its own BMI policy could stop supply before the term ends. We do not advise long-term commitments. See subscription plans.
The 6-month check
At around six months your prescriber looks at how much weight you have lost at the highest dose you tolerate. Under 5% triggers a reassessment of whether to carry on.
That is a reassessment, not an automatic stop. The point is to avoid people staying on a medicine that is not working for them, rather than to remove treatment from people it is helping.
What happens when you stop
Weight tends to return after stopping. That is the pattern across GLP-1 medicines and it is the most important thing to understand before you start, because it shapes whether this is a short course or a long commitment.
This is a conversation to have with your prescriber early, not at the point you run out. Ask what the plan is if you reach your target, what maintenance looks like, and what happens if cost becomes the reason you stop.
Common questions
Is there a time limit on NHS Mounjaro?
No. NICE TA1026 sets no maximum treatment period. You continue through regular review rather than to a fixed end date.
Why does Wegovy stop after two years?
That limit comes from NICE TA875, the appraisal covering Wegovy for weight management on the NHS. It applies regardless of how well the medicine is working for you.
Can a pharmacy refuse to keep prescribing privately?
Yes. Pharmacies set their own BMI rules and can reduce your dose, move you to maintenance or decline to supply. Check the policy before committing to a long plan.
What is the 6-month check?
A review of your progress at the highest tolerated dose. Losing under 5% triggers a reassessment of whether to continue.
Will I put the weight back on?
Weight usually returns after stopping. Plan the long term with your prescriber rather than treating the medicine as a short course.
