If you’re working in aesthetics right now, weight loss medicine has almost certainly landed on your radar — whether you’ve actively stepped into it or clients are coming to you already on these medications and asking questions. Either way, understanding the landscape properly isn’t optional anymore. It’s part of doing your job well.
So let’s get into it. There are several GLP-1 receptor agonists available in the UK, they don’t all work the same way, and the “best” one genuinely depends on the individual in front of you.
First, a Quick Recap of How These Medications Work
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists work by mimicking a hormone that’s naturally released after eating. They slow gastric emptying, reduce appetite, and improve blood sugar regulation. The result for most people is eating less, feeling fuller for longer, and losing weight — often significantly.
They’re delivered as weight loss injections (weekly subcutaneous, in most cases), and the clinical evidence behind them is genuinely impressive. We’re not talking about appetite suppressants with modest results — these are medications showing 15–20%+ body weight reduction in trials.
The Main Players in the UK Right Now
Ozempic (Semaglutide)
Ozempic UK is technically licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss — but it’s been widely used off-label for weight management and is probably the most recognised name in this space thanks to its cultural moment in the media. It’s a weekly semaglutide injection, available in doses up to 2mg.
Worth knowing: ozempic side effects mirror those of other GLP-1s — nausea, vomiting, constipation, and gastrointestinal discomfort are the most common, especially during dose escalation. Clients need to be counselled on this properly before starting.
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Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Wegovy is the version of semaglutide that’s actually licensed for chronic weight management in the UK. It goes up to 2.4mg weekly — a higher dose than Ozempic — and the trial data (STEP trials) showed average weight loss of around 15% of body weight over 68 weeks.
It’s now available on the NHS in limited circumstances and through private prescribers. If a client is specifically seeking a licensed weight loss medication based on semaglutide, this is the more appropriate option over Ozempic.
Watch more about Wegovy: @facespharmacy on TikTok
Buy Wegovy here: Faces Pharmacy
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
This is where it gets interesting. Mounjaro UK launched as a significant development because tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist — it works on two pathways simultaneously rather than one. The SURMOUNT trials showed average mounjaro weight loss of up to 22.5% of body weight at the highest dose, which outperforms the semaglutide data.
It’s now licensed in the UK for weight management and is available through private prescription. For clients who haven’t responded well to semaglutide or who have a higher starting BMI, Mounjaro is increasingly the clinical conversation worth having.
Buy Mounjaro here: Faces Pharmacy
Saxenda (Liraglutide)
Saxenda is a daily liraglutide injection — older technology than the weekly options but still licensed for weight loss in the UK. It shows more modest results (around 5–7% body weight reduction on average) and requires daily injections, which affects adherence. It’s largely been superseded by the weekly options in practice, but it remains a licensed option and some patients do well on it.
Buy Saxenda here: Faces Pharmacy
Rybelsus (Oral Semaglutide)
Rybelsus is the oral version of semaglutide, taken daily as a tablet. It’s currently licensed for type 2 diabetes in the UK rather than weight loss specifically, but it’s worth knowing about for clients who are needle-averse or managing both conditions. Results for weight management are generally less pronounced than the injectable options.
Buy Rybelsus here: Faces Pharmacy
What This Means for Your Practice
If you’re offering or considering weight loss services, the clinical picture is evolving quickly. Staying on top of the evidence, understanding the licensed indications, and ensuring you have proper prescribing pathways in place matters — both for client safety and your own regulatory position.
Clients will come in having Googled everything. They’ll ask you about Mounjaro vs Wegovy. They’ll mention Ozempic because it’s famous. Your job is to cut through the noise and give them an informed, personalised conversation — not just hand them whatever they ask for.
Source Your Weight Loss Medications Through Faces
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Explore weight loss medications available through Faces — browse the range here
FAQs
1. Can aesthetic practitioners prescribe GLP-1 medications in the UK?
Only if they are qualified and registered prescribers — independent prescribers or working under a patient group direction (PGD) or via a prescribing partner. Aesthetic practitioners who are not prescribers cannot prescribe these medications themselves but can work with a prescribing collaborator. Always ensure your prescribing pathway is fully compliant before offering these services.
2. What’s the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Both contain semaglutide, but they’re licensed for different indications. Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes management; Wegovy is licensed specifically for chronic weight management. Wegovy also reaches a higher maximum dose (2.4mg vs 2mg). If you’re supporting clients purely for weight management, Wegovy is the more appropriate licensed option.
3. How do I know which GLP-1 medication is right for my client?
This is a clinical decision that requires a full medical history, current medications, BMI, comorbidities, and treatment goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In practice, Mounjaro currently shows the strongest efficacy data for weight loss, while Wegovy is a well-evidenced first-line option. Clients who are needle-averse or managing type 2 diabetes alongside weight may be better suited to Rybelsus or Saxenda.
4. What side effects should clients expect?
GI symptoms are the most common across all GLP-1 medications — nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation, particularly during dose escalation. Most clients find these subside after the first few weeks. Starting low and titrating slowly reduces their severity. Clients should also be counselled on the rare but serious risks including pancreatitis and thyroid concerns.
5. Are these medications available on the NHS?
Wegovy is available on the NHS in limited circumstances through specialist weight management services, with criteria including BMI ≥35 and at least one weight-related comorbidity. Mounjaro has also been approved for NHS use in specific patient groups. In practice, access through the NHS is currently limited and waiting times can be significant, which is why many clients seek private prescriptions.
References
- NHS. Obesity — Treatment (including weight loss medicines: Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/treatment/
- NHS England. Weight management injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro on the NHS). Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/prevention/obesity/medicines-for-obesity/weight-management-injections/
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity (TA875). Published March 2023, updated September 2023. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity (TA1026). Published December 2024. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1026
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Liraglutide for managing overweight and obesity (TA664). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta664
- Wilding JPH, et al. (STEP 1 Investigators). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384:989–1002. Available at: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
- Jastreboff AM, et al. (SURMOUNT-1 Investigators). Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387:205–216. Available at: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). Ozempic 1mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Novo Nordisk Limited. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9749/smpc