NHS weight loss pills

Learn about NHS weight loss pills currently available, see if you qualify, and discover new tablets in trials.

What are the current NHS-approved weight loss pills

Orlistat is the only weight loss pill routinely prescribed on the NHS right now. It works inside your gut to block some of the fat you eat from being absorbed.

  • How it works. You take a 120mg capsule with each main meal. Unused fat leaves the body in your stool.

  • Common side-effects. Oily or loose stools, especially if you eat a high-fat meal.

  • Safety reviews. NICE backs its use when BMI and health risks are high¹.

Who can get weight loss tablets on the NHS

Eligibility for NHS weight loss pills depends on your BMI. A GP must also see you’ve tried diet and activity steps first.

  • Adults without diabetes - Orlistat can be prescribed only when BMI ≥ 30, or at BMI ≥ 28 if you also have a risk factor such as high blood pressure.

  • Adults with type-2 diabetes - Because diabetes itself is a risk factor, the lower cut-off of BMI ≥ 28 applies for Orlistat treatment.²

  • Under-18s - Drug treatment is rare and reserved for specialist clinics after other measures fail.

If you're trying to lose weight with medication, it's important to combine it with healthy lifestyle changes. You may also be eligible for additional support through the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme.

How the NHS prescription pathway works

  • Consult with GP

    Weight, height, medical history and routine bloods are often taken before any medicine is considered.

  • Lifestyle referral

    Treatment should follow at least 3 months of diet and activity support (e.g. dietitian or a digital programme).

  • Initial treatment

    GPs usually issue a 3-month supply of Orlistat which you collect from any community pharmacy.

  • Review checkpoint

    The medicine should be stopped if you have not lost at least 5% of your starting body weight at 3 months.

  • Ongoing review

    If you’re keeping the weight off at 12 months, you can likely continue, but if weight regains you should stop.

Cost and monitoring for NHS weight loss pills

Prescription charge

In England, each NHS prescription item costs £9.90. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not charge for NHS prescriptions.

Check-ups

Typically, GPs review weight, diet and any side-effects every 3-6 months. Blood pressure is often repeated. Liver tests are typically ordered only if symptoms suggest a problem.

Exemptions

Many people in England pay £0 because they receive income-based benefits, hold a medical exemption certificate, are under 16, over 60, pregnant, or buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC).

When treatment ends

Orlistat is stopped if you lose less than 5% of your starting weight after 3 months, if troublesome side-effects persist, or if weight creeps back.

New weight loss tablets under review

Researchers are testing daily pills that copy gut hormones to curb hunger and steady blood sugar. Early trials show promising drops in body weight but these tablets are not licensed yet.

  • Study snapshot. A Phase 2 trial of the oral GLP-1 pill orforglipron found average weight loss of 8.6-12.6% at 26 weeks and up to 14.7% at 36 weeks³.

  • What happens next? Larger Phase 3 studies must prove long-term safety before the MHRA and NICE can determine if the drug provides enough benefit for its cost to be recommended for use within the NHS.

NHS weight loss pills FAQs

Can you get weight loss pills on the NHS?

Yes. The NHS can prescribe Orlistat, a tablet that blocks some of the fat you eat from being absorbed. It is offered only when your body-mass index (BMI) and health risks meet strict rules set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Do NHS weight loss pills work?

Studies show that Orlistat helps many people lose about 5-10% of their starting weight over a year when they also follow diet and activity advice.

Does the NHS recommend any other weight loss pills?

At the moment, no. Orlistat is the only NHS weight loss pill recommended by NICE. Other medicines are either injections or still in clinical trials. NICE reviews any new pill once there is strong UK safety and cost-effectiveness data.

What will a GP prescribe for weight loss?

Most GPs start with Orlistat if you qualify. They rarely prescribe other drugs unless a Tier III obesity specialist suggests it. Your GP will also offer free lifestyle support, such as dietitian sessions or digital weight management programmes.

How long can I stay on an NHS tablet?

You get a 3-month trial first. If you lose at least 5% of your body weight, your GP can renew the prescription. Most people stay on the tablet for up to 2 years.

What if my GP says no to NHS weight loss pills?

  1. Ask why. They may feel you don’t meet BMI criteria yet.

  2. Request lifestyle support. Free NHS weight management programmes can help you lose the first few kilos.

  3. Consider private care. Private prescriptions must still follow UK safety rules and a full medical check.

Medically reviewed by Dr Jackir Hussain

This page was last medically reviewed by Dr Jackir Hussain on 14 July 2025.

At Pill Scout, we prioritise accurate, evidence-based health information you can trust.

Our medical team regularly reviews and updates our content to ensure it stays aligned with the latest clinical research and guidance.

Dr Jackir Hussain, MBChB, MRCGP
GMC: 7074207

Dr Jackir Hussain is a UK-based GP with over 14 years of clinical experience since earning his medical degree from the University of Manchester. He has worked across diverse healthcare environments, including NHS GP surgeries, urgent care services, homeless shelters, and telemedicine platforms.

His areas of interest include general practice, weight loss, and the use of digital health to improve patient access to care.

Sources

¹ NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Obesity: Orlistat prescribing information. Updated May 2025.

² NHS. Obesity treatment. Updated February 2023.

³ Sean Wharton, M.D., Thomas Blevins, M.D., Lisa Connery, M.D. et al. Daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist Orforglipron for adults with obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. Published June 2023.

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