Weight Loss Injections

In Dorset around 1,000 people currently qualify for the weight loss injection medication based on national eligibility criteria.

But it won’t be available locally until later this year (Autumn) – so please don’t contact your GP just yet as we are currently unable to help.

We will update this page as soon as we are able to help. 

Who is eligible?

The first group of people eligible under the national criteria includes individuals who:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg or more (or 37.5 kg for people from minority ethnic family backgrounds)
• And have at least four of the following long-term conditions:
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Dyslipidaemia
  • Established cardiovascular disease
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea

Weight loss injections and HRT

Concerns related to concurrent use of HRT and Semagutide or Tirzepatide.  There is risk of reduced absorption of oral progestogens used within HRT regimens and therefore potential reduced protection on the lining of the womb from the risk of cancer of the womb.

Mounjaro and oral contraception (combine pill and the mini-pill)

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)   you should use a barrier method of contraception (e.g. condoms) in addition to your pill for four weeks after starting the medication, and for four weeks after any increase in dose. This is because Mounjaro works slightly differently to the other drugs in the same group. Alternatively, you may wish to consider another (non-oral) method of contraception whilst using Mounjaro.

Weight loss injections and planning for pregnancy

GLP-1 agonists should also be avoided for a number of weeks prior to a planned pregnancy. See below the number of weeks recommended to have stopped the medication prior to a planned pregnancy (washout period), for some of the GLP-1 agonists.

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) One month 
• Semaglutide (Weygovey or Ozempic) Two months 
• Exenatide (Byetta)  12 weeks

Published: Aug 11, 2025