Overview
Eligibility for weight loss injectable treatment with Mounjaro® or Wegovy® through MedExpress is based primarily on your Body Mass Index (BMI) and your overall health profile, assessed against UK clinical guidelines.
Use this article when you want to:
Understand the standard BMI thresholds for Mounjaro® or Wegovy® eligibility
Find out which starting dose you'll begin treatment at
Check whether your BMI eligibility threshold is adjusted based on your ethnic background
Understand what other documentation or evidence you may need to provide
What Are the Standard Eligibility Criteria for Mounjaro® or Wegovy®?
You may be eligible to start treatment with Mounjaro® or Wegovy® if you are an adult and meet one of the following BMI criteria:
BMI of 30 or higher: the standard threshold for adults living with obesity.
BMI of 27 or higher with a weight-related health issue: you may be eligible if you also have a weight-related health issue, such as prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), sleep apnoea, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
BMI between 25 and 30 (off-label use): in some cases, MedExpress clinicians may prescribe Mounjaro® or Wegovy® at a BMI between 25 and 30. This is called off-label prescribing, is assessed individually, and may not be suitable for everyone.
MedExpress clinicians assess every order individually to make sure your prescription is safe and appropriate. If your BMI does not meet these thresholds, your order may not be fulfilled unless you provide supplemental evidence, such as documentation verifying your BMI or evidence of a prior prescription.
What Starting Dose Will I Begin Treatment At?
If you're approved for treatment, your starting dose depends on the medication:
Wegovy®: all new prescriptions start at a 0.25mg dose, to allow for safe titration (a gradual dose increase).
Mounjaro®: new prescriptions start at a 2.5mg dose
Are BMI Thresholds Adjusted for Certain Ethnic Backgrounds?
Research indicates that people from certain ethnic backgrounds may face higher health risks at lower BMI levels. Because of this, MedExpress lowers its BMI eligibility thresholds by 2.5 for people from the following backgrounds:
Asian
Black African
African-Caribbean
Middle Eastern
For example, if you're from one of these backgrounds, the threshold for eligibility without an additional weight-related health issue is 27.5 instead of 30.
What Other Documentation or Evidence Might I Need to Provide?
Meeting the BMI eligibility criteria is only one part of being prescribed Mounjaro® or Wegovy®. MedExpress may also require:
Evidence of a prior prescription, particularly if you're requesting a dose higher than the standard starting dose.
Documentation such as a government-issued ID or a full-body verification photo, to confirm your BMI and identity.
If this evidence isn't provided, it may delay your order or mean your prescription is adjusted to a lower, verified dose.