How our online weight loss service works
Complete our simple, confidential online consultation
5 mins
One of our clinicians confirms your suitability. We’ll email to let you know
BMI and ID checks might be required
Choose how you get your treatment
Delivery and collection options available
New patient offer:
Save £40 on your first weight loss consultation with code START40. From £59.99. Terms and conditions apply.
Weight loss tablets
What are GLP-1 tablets?
GLP-1 agonists are a type of medication commonly seen in weight loss injections like Mounjaro. They mimic the effect of GLP-1 digestive hormones, normally produced in the body after eating, to regulate blood sugar and helping you feel fuller for longer.
While GLP-1 injections are available for suitable patients, there are also several oral tablets that have a GLP-1 active ingredient.
Do I qualify for weight loss treatment?
You may qualify for weight loss treatment if you:
• Are aged 18 or over
• Have a BMI of 30+, or 27–30 with a weight-related risk factor
• Are a UK resident
We'll also ask about any medical conditions and medicines you're taking as part of our confidential online consultation to ensure treatment is suitable for you.

Weight loss tablets FAQs
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About our medicated weight loss service
If you’re looking to take the first step in your weight loss journey, we offer weight loss treatments and nutrition support.
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How to order weight loss tablets
If you are interested in these treatments, complete a consultation. These include questions about your current health, medication, BMI and lifestyle habits. Once completed, our NHS-experienced clinical team will review and help to decide an appropriate treatment plan.
In our weight loss tablets page, we’ll:- Review our available weight loss tablets – what are they and how to they work
- Look at other treatments – Information on GLP-1 tablet treatments, which are unavailable to be prescribed for weight loss in the UK
- Run through our weight loss clinic – How does our process work?
- Answer some popular questions on tablets – Are weight loss tablets safe? Are tablet or injection treatments more effective?
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What are the side effects of weight loss tablets?
Very common side effects (i.e. ones that would affect more than one in ten patients) for Xenical / Orlistat include:
- Headaches
- Abdominal pain
- Steatorrhoea
- Oily spotting
- Flatulence with discharge
The treatment can also be contraindicated in patients with malabsorption or cholestasis, as well as affect the absorption of ciclosporin and fat-soluble vitamins. For more information, look at the patient information leaflet.
Find more information on Wegovy tablets on the treatment page.
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What’s the difference between weight loss injections and tablets?
Other than the obvious difference in how the treatments are taken, there are several differences between a weight loss tablet like Orlistat and weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy:
- How often treatment is taken – Wegovy and Mounjaro are taken weekly while tablets like Wegovy and Foundayo are taken daily. Other tablets like Orlistat are designed to be taken multiple times a day.
- How the treatments work – As mentioned above, GLP-1 injections mimic digestive hormones to suppress appetite. Xenical prevents your body from breaking down fat you have eaten so it can be passed out of the body
- Pricing – For the latest price information, visit our weight loss treatment hub
- Effectiveness – Clinical studies showed patients on the highest doses of Wegovy and Mounjaro lost 20.7% and 22.5% of their starting weights respectively over a 72 week period. Weight loss tablet effectiveness can be seen in the section ‘Proven results in clinical studies’
Regardless of the type of treatment, it is advised to make healthy lifestyle changes to get the best results.
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Are weight loss tablets safe?
Weight loss tablets are safe to take as they have been clinically tested. However, you can experience side effects while taking this treatment as listed above. Our clinicians will not recommend a treatment if they do not believe it is suitable for you. If you’re looking elsewhere for support, make sure to avoid fake or counterfeit weight loss treatments.
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Long-term weight maintenance
The goal with weight management should be to reach a healthy weight for your height and build, and to maintain it. Achieving sustainable results and staying at your goal weight is best done by making adjustments to your lifestyle, being more active and eating a balanced diet. However, it is possible that prescription weight loss treatments can help you reach your goal weight.
Make changes to your lifestyle that you can stick to, and you will find maintaining a healthy weight easier. Fad diets tend to make your weight drop dramatically and then rise again, so avoid these. Instead, try to eat more whole fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and lean protein while increasing your activity level. Walk more, join a local sports team, or swim regularly. The occasional sugary treat is fine, but make sure it's occasional and part of a balanced diet.
*Clinical trial results are from 72 week study with highest dosage of Mounjaro (15mg), compared to weight loss of 2.4% on placebo.
†This is an independent private service and is not affiliated with the NHS. Our clinicians have current or previous NHS experience.
** Data sourced from clinical trials (e.g. STEP UP trial 3b for Wegovy 7.2mg, SURMOUNT for Mounjaro). Weight loss varies by individual, and treatments carry risks, including gastrointestinal side effects. A clinician will assess suitability.
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Can I switch my weight loss treatment?
Yes. Whether you’re considering switching from Wegovy to Mounjaro, Mounjaro to Wegovy, or moving from injections to tablets, our Switching Guide explains the options available and how your suitability for switching will be assessed by our clinicians.
Yes. Whether you’re considering switching from Wegovy to Mounjaro, Mounjaro to Wegovy, or moving from injections to tablets (coming soon), our Switching Guide explains the options available and how your suitability for switching will be assessed by our clinicians. View our switching guide here. -
Can I contact a clinician before I place an order?
Yes. If you have questions about treatment, you can message our clinicians before placing an order via your account. For messages received before 4pm, you will usually receive a response the same day.
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Who can use the first consultation offer?
The offer applies to new patients only and is available on their first Weight Loss consultation.
Mounjaro® vs. Wegovy® vs. Orlistat vs. Xenical®: Weight loss treatment comparison
| Treatment | Mounjaro injection® | Wegovy injection® | Wegovy tablets® | Orlistat/Xenical tablets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide | Semaglutide | Orlistat |
| Type of treatment | GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Lipase inhibitor |
| How it's taken | Once-weekly injection | Once-weekly injection | Daily tablet | Tablet taken up to 3 times daily with meals |
| How it works | Helps control appetite, reduces food cravings and keeps you feeling fuller for longer | Helps control appetite and keeps you feeling fuller for longer | Helps control appetite and keeps you feeling fuller for longer | Reduces the amount of fat absorbed from food |
| People who achieved meaningful weight loss* | Up to 96% | Up to 93% | Up to 76.3% | Around 45% |
*Meaningful weight loss means losing enough weight to deliver important health benefits and is defined in clinical studies as losing at least 5% of your starting body weight.
Proven, consistent results to help your journey
Whether taken as an injection or tablet, GLP-1 weight loss treatments have delivered impressive results in clinical trials. On average, adults with a BMI of 30+ lost*:
- Up to 25.3% of their body weight over 16.5 months with Mounjaro injections
- Up to 20.7% of their body weight over 16.5 months with Wegovy injections
- Up to 16.6% of their body weight over 15 months with Wegovy tablets

*Data sourced from different clinical trials. In the OASIS 4 clinical trial, Wegovy tablets were associated with 16.6% average weight loss over 64 weeks, when coupled with a balanced diet and physical activity. In the STEP UP trial 3b, Wegovy 7.2mg injections were associated with 20.7% average weight loss over 72 weeks, when coupled with a balanced diet and physical activity. In the SURMOUNT trial, Mounjaro injections were associated with 25.3% average weight loss over 72 weeks, when coupled with a balanced diet and physical activity.
Clinical trial results are provided for context only. They are not from a head-to-head trial and should not be used to directly compare treatments. Trial design, patient groups, doses and durations differed.
Individual results vary, and treatment is not guaranteed. Your clinician will discuss which treatment options may be suitable for you.
Suitability, side effects and risks will be assessed by a clinician. Chart is for illustrative summary only. In clinical trials, average weight loss varied by treatment, dose, study design and duration. Individual results vary.
Two months supply bundles
Reliable weight loss support with two-month bundles built for long-term weight management
If you’re an existing Online Doctor patient, or coming to us directly from another provider, you can save time by getting a two month bundle supply of your weight loss plan.
Reached your goal weight?
Many patients don't stop treatment completely after achieving their target weight. Maintenance dosing may help you maintain your weight loss whilst reducing medication use.
Nutrition Coaching: Achieve your weight loss goals
If you’re using weight loss medication and need additional support, our Nutrition Coaching service is for you. With the support of a personal coach and a tailored weight loss programme, you’ll receive expert guidance, nutrition advice, recipes, podcasts, and more to help you along your journey.

Delivery and collection information
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Same-day collection (Free)
Order before 5pm Monday-Friday to collect the same day in pharmacies nationwide. Subject to the availability of your treatment in your selected pharmacy.
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Standard delivery (Free)
Delivered within 5-7 working days.
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Next-day delivery (£5.95)
Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive within 1-2 working days. Orders approved between 5pm Friday and 12pm Sunday will usually arrive on Monday or Tuesday.
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Standard ParcelShop collection (Free)
Collect from 7000+ convenient ParcelShops in 2-3 working days.
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Next day ParcelShop collection (£2.95)
Collect next day from 7000+ convenient ParcelShop locations, if approved before 5pm Monday-Friday. Saturday and Sunday orders, collect Monday if approved before 12pm Sunday or Tuesday if ordered after 12pm.
Meet our clinical team
Based in our London office, our doctors and independent pharmacists have years of experience caring for patients in NHS hospitals, GP surgeries or in community pharmacies.
Dr Kieran Seyan
GMC: 6104204
Dr Gigi Taguri
GMC: 6129350
Dr Mitra Dutt
GMC: 6077868
Dr Neel Patel
GMC: 7085151
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References
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04184622
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13801/smpc
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/2313/smpc#gref
- https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-discussion/xenical-epar-scientific-discussion_en.pdf
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity#tab=tab_1
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/
- https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-body-mass-index/
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.15482.pdf
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13801.pdf
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/treatment/
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038














