Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has emerged as a significant treatment option for weight management in the UK, but understanding the Numan Mounjaro monthly cost is essential before committing to private treatment. As NHS availability remains limited for weight management indications, many patients turn to digital healthcare providers like Numan for access. Monthly costs typically range from £199 to £299 depending on dosage, representing a substantial financial commitment over the recommended treatment duration. This article examines the pricing structure, what's included in the service, and how private costs compare to NHS provision, helping you make an informed decision about this dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.

What Is Mounjaro and How Does It Work?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a prescription medicine licensed in the UK for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and, more recently, for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. It is manufactured by Eli Lilly and was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) following positive clinical trial data demonstrating significant improvements in glycaemic control and body weight reduction.

Mounjaro belongs to a novel class of medicines known as dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. This dual mechanism of action distinguishes it from other GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide. By activating both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, tirzepatide enhances insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, suppresses glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite. These combined effects lead to improved blood sugar control and substantial weight loss in clinical studies.

The medication is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection using a pre-filled pen device. Treatment typically begins at a low dose (2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks), then increases to 5 mg weekly, with further increases in 2.5 mg increments as tolerated to a maximum of 15 mg weekly. This gradual titration helps minimise gastrointestinal side effects and optimise therapeutic response.

Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort, particularly during dose escalation. Most gastrointestinal symptoms are mild to moderate and tend to diminish over time. Patients should stop the medication and seek urgent medical attention if they experience severe, persistent abdominal pain (which may radiate to the back), as this could indicate pancreatitis. Other important precautions include the risk of dehydration and acute kidney injury with significant gastrointestinal symptoms, and potential worsening of diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetes experiencing rapid glucose improvements.

Tirzepatide is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception while taking the medication. Suspected side effects should be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk).

Numan Mounjaro Monthly Cost and Pricing Structure

Numan is a UK-based digital healthcare provider offering private prescriptions for weight management medications, including Mounjaro. As Mounjaro is not yet routinely available on the NHS for weight management (outside specialist services), many patients seek private treatment through platforms like Numan. Understanding the monthly cost structure is essential for those considering this option.

As of May 2024, Numan's Mounjaro service typically costs between £199 and £299 per month, depending on the prescribed dose. The starting dose (2.5 mg weekly) is generally at the lower end of this range, while higher maintenance doses (10 mg or 15 mg weekly) cost more. It is important to note that prices may vary and patients should check the Numan website or contact their customer service for the most up-to-date pricing information, particularly as national supply constraints may affect both availability and cost.

The monthly cost includes:

• Four pre-filled injection pens (one for each week of the month)

• Prescription fees and clinical assessment

• Delivery to your home address (usually via tracked courier)

• Ongoing clinical support through the Numan platform

Patients should be aware that Mounjaro is a long-term treatment commitment. NICE guidance recommends that treatment should be reassessed at around 6 months and discontinued if insufficient weight loss has been achieved (typically less than 5% of initial body weight). The medication must be combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for optimal results. The cumulative cost over a year could range from approximately £2,400 to £3,600, which represents a significant financial investment.

Numan operates on a subscription model, with monthly payments processed automatically. Patients can usually pause or cancel their subscription, though it is advisable to discuss any treatment changes with a healthcare professional to ensure safe discontinuation and appropriate follow-up.

What's Included in the Numan Mounjaro Service?

The Numan Mounjaro service is designed to provide comprehensive, medically supervised weight management support through a digital platform. Unlike simply purchasing medication, the service includes several clinical and practical components to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Initial clinical assessment is a mandatory first step. Patients complete a detailed online medical questionnaire covering their medical history, current medications, weight management goals, and relevant health conditions. This information is reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber (doctor or prescribing pharmacist) who determines eligibility. Not all applicants will be suitable for Mounjaro; the medication is contraindicated in those with hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease or gastroparesis. Tirzepatide is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment.

Once approved, patients receive:

• Monthly medication supply delivered discreetly to their home

• Injection training materials including video guides and written instructions

• Access to clinical support via the Numan platform for questions or concerns

• Regular check-ins to monitor progress, side effects, and treatment response

• Dose titration guidance as treatment progresses through the escalation schedule

The service also provides educational resources about healthy eating, physical activity, and behavioural strategies for sustainable weight management. However, it is important to note that Numan's service is primarily medication-focused and may not include the intensive multidisciplinary support (dietitian, psychologist, exercise specialist) recommended by NICE for comprehensive weight management.

Patients should have appropriate monitoring based on their individual clinical needs, which may include regular weight/BMI/waist measurements, blood pressure checks, and in some cases blood tests (such as HbA1c for people with diabetes or renal function if experiencing significant vomiting or diarrhoea). People with diabetes should be aware of the potential for diabetic retinopathy to worsen with rapid improvements in blood glucose and should maintain appropriate eye surveillance.

Tirzepatide should not be combined with other weight-management medicines unless under specialist supervision. Any significant adverse effects should prompt discussion with the prescriber and potentially referral back to the patient's usual GP for further assessment.

NHS vs Private Mounjaro: Cost Comparison

The availability and cost of Mounjaro differ substantially between NHS and private pathways, which is an important consideration for patients exploring their treatment options.

NHS availability for Mounjaro is currently limited. For type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro may be prescribed through NHS diabetes services following NICE guidance (NG28), typically when other treatments have been insufficient. In this case, patients pay the standard NHS prescription charge (£9.90 per item in England as of April 2024, with prescriptions free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or free for those with exemption certificates). However, for weight management specifically, NHS access to Mounjaro is generally limited to specialist weight management services with specific eligibility criteria.

NICE published guidance (TA906) in March 2024 recommending tirzepatide for chronic weight management in adults with at least one weight-related comorbidity and a BMI of ≥35 kg/m² (or ≥32.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family backgrounds). NHS organisations are required to fund NICE-approved technologies within 90 days of guidance publication, though implementation timelines may vary due to capacity constraints and service development needs.

In contrast, private provision through services like Numan offers immediate access but at significant cost (£199–£299 monthly, as discussed above). Over 12 months, this represents £2,400–£3,600 compared to a maximum of £118.80 annually for NHS prescriptions in England (or potentially free in devolved nations or with exemption). Patients should check current NHS prescription charges as these are updated annually.

Key considerations when comparing pathways:

• Access speed: Private services offer immediate assessment; NHS may involve waiting times

• Eligibility criteria: Private services may have broader criteria; NHS follows strict NICE guidance

• Holistic support: NHS specialist services typically provide multidisciplinary team input; private services vary

• Long-term sustainability: Consider whether private costs are affordable for the recommended treatment duration

Patients should discuss their options with their NHS GP, who can advise on local NHS availability, provide appropriate baseline investigations, and ensure safe monitoring regardless of prescribing source. If pursuing private treatment, it remains important to keep your NHS GP informed to ensure continuity of care and appropriate medical record documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions