What Happens at a Mounjaro Consultation in Edinburgh

Starting a weight loss medicine is a medical decision, and a good consultation is what makes it a safe one. If you are thinking about Mounjaro, it helps to know what the appointment involves, what you will be asked and what happens afterwards, whether or not you are prescribed.

This page walks through the process at Bruntsfield Pharmacy step by step. For the wider picture on the medicine itself, see our complete guide to Mounjaro in Edinburgh.

A Mounjaro consultation at a glance

• It is an assessment, not a sales conversation. The aim is to decide whether Mounjaro is right for you, and the answer can be no.
• You are seen by a prescriber. Our independent prescriber pharmacist carries out the assessment.
• It starts before you arrive. A health questionnaire gives us your history so the appointment time is spent on the decisions that matter.
• We measure, not estimate. Your weight and height are taken at the appointment.
• Prescribing is decided at the end. Nothing is promised in advance.
• Follow-up is part of the plan. You should leave knowing when you will be reviewed.

What should I do before I book?

A little preparation makes the appointment more useful. It is worth gathering:

• a list of your current medicines, including over-the-counter products and supplements
• recent results if you have them, such as blood pressure readings, cholesterol or HbA1c
• details of any previous weight loss attempts, including other medicines and how they went
• a note of any conditions you have been diagnosed with, and any operations
• questions you want answered, written down so you do not forget them

If you are not sure whether you are likely to qualify, read who is eligible for Mounjaro first. It will tell you roughly where you stand, though only the consultation can confirm it.

What is the health questionnaire?

Before the appointment you complete a health questionnaire. It covers your weight history, medical conditions, medicines, allergies, pregnancy and contraception, and any history of the conditions that rule Mounjaro out, such as pancreatitis or certain thyroid cancers. Answer it as fully and honestly as you can. An incomplete or inaccurate form does not help you, because the prescriber has to make a safety decision from what you tell them.

The questionnaire does not decide anything by itself. It prepares the consultation, and anything unclear is discussed face to face.

What happens during the appointment?

The consultation follows a consistent order, so nothing important is missed.

1. Your goals and history. We talk about why you are here, what you have tried and what you hope to achieve, in your own words.
2. Measurements. Your weight and height are measured and your BMI is calculated.
3. Medical review. The prescriber goes through your conditions, family history, medicines and allergies, and checks for anything that makes Mounjaro unsuitable.
4. Explanation of the medicine. How it works, the dose schedule, what side effects to expect and what to do about them, and how it fits alongside eating and activity.
5. Your questions. This is your time to ask about anything, including cost, how long treatment usually lasts and what happens when you stop.
6. Decision. The prescriber tells you whether they will prescribe, and why.

Book a weight management consultation

Choose a time that suits you using the booking calendar below. If the calendar does not load, you can book directly here.

How does the prescriber decide whether to prescribe?

Prescribing is a clinical judgement, not a formality. The prescriber weighs three things: whether you meet the licensed criteria, whether anything in your history makes Mounjaro unsafe or unsuitable, and whether it is likely to help you in your circumstances. They also consider whether you understand what treatment involves, including that it is usually continued for months and that stopping can lead to weight regain.

It is possible to meet the criteria and still be advised against Mounjaro, for example because of a particular medical history. It is also possible to be just outside the criteria and be better helped by another approach. Whatever the outcome, you should be given the reasoning.

What happens if I am prescribed Mounjaro?

If treatment is appropriate, the prescriber explains your starting dose and the escalation plan. Mounjaro begins at a low dose and increases gradually, with the aim of improving how well you tolerate it. You are shown how to use the pen, where to inject and what to do if you miss a dose, and you are told which symptoms mean you should get advice quickly, such as severe, persistent abdominal pain.

If you could become pregnant, contraception is covered. Mounjaro can reduce how well the oral contraceptive pill is absorbed, and UK prescribing information advises switching to a non-oral method or adding a barrier method for four weeks after starting and after each dose increase. You are also told to stop and speak to us if you become pregnant or are planning to.

What happens if I am not prescribed Mounjaro?

You will be told why, plainly. Depending on the reason, we may suggest another treatment, a structured weight management approach, support with a related condition or a conversation with your GP. In some cases the answer is "not yet", for example if a condition needs to be stabilised or a medicine reviewed first. You should never leave with nothing but a refusal.

What follow-up should I expect?

Treatment does not end when the pen is handed over. A review is normally arranged around the time of your first dose increase, usually after about four weeks, to check how you are tolerating the medicine, how your weight is changing and whether the plan needs adjusting. Further reviews follow as the dose changes. Between appointments, you should know how to reach us if side effects are worse than expected.

Weight, side effects, appetite, eating habits, mood and any change in your medicines are all worth discussing. If something is not working, say so. Adjusting the plan early is far better than struggling on.

What if I feel awkward talking about my weight?

Most people do, and the prescriber has heard it all before. The consultation is not a judgement on how you got here. Weight is shaped by genes, medicines, sleep, stress, hormones and circumstances as much as by food, and a good assessment treats it as a health question.

It helps to be direct about the things that affect safety, even if they feel private: a past or current eating disorder, any pregnancy plans, medicines you take that are not on your repeat list, and how much alcohol you drink. None of these automatically rules you out, but each changes the advice. Honest answers get you better, safer care.

Our pharmacy is at 129 Bruntsfield Place in Bruntsfield, on the main road through the area and easy to reach on foot from Bruntsfield, Marchmont and Morningside. If you are coming from further out, allow some extra time for your first visit.

Mounjaro consultation: your questions answered

How long does the consultation take?

Long enough to complete the assessment properly. We would rather give you time to ask questions than rush you, so allow for a full appointment and do not book it into a tight gap in your day.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring your medicines list and any recent results, along with the questions you wrote down.

Is the consultation private and confidential?

Yes. Your information is handled in line with data protection law and professional confidentiality, and we only share it with your GP if you agree.

Will I definitely be prescribed Mounjaro if I book?

No. Booking a consultation is not a commitment on either side. Prescribing depends on the assessment, and the prescriber may decide it is not appropriate.

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes, if you would like to. Some people find it helpful to have a family member or friend there to listen and ask questions.

Do I need to tell my GP?

We recommend it, particularly if you take regular medicines or have a long-term condition. We will talk through what is sensible to share. See our page on getting Mounjaro without going through your GP for more.

Can I use the NHS instead?

You may be able to ask your GP about NHS access, and you can do that alongside any private consultation. Our guide to NHS and private access to Mounjaro in Edinburgh explains how the two differ.

Ready to book?

If you have read this far, you probably have a good idea of what to expect. Book a consultation and bring your questions with you.

Related reading

• Mounjaro in Edinburgh: The Complete Guide from Bruntsfield Pharmacy
• Am I Eligible for Mounjaro? BMI and Health Conditions Explained
• Mounjaro on the NHS or Privately in Edinburgh: How Access Compares
• Can You Get Mounjaro Without Going Through Your GP in Edinburgh?

Reviewed by Ather Diab, Superintendent Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber (GPhC 2233707). Bruntsfield Pharmacy, GPhC registration 1042628, 129 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh EH10 4EQ. Last reviewed: 7 October 2026.

This page is for general information and does not replace an individual clinical consultation. Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine, supplied only following an individual assessment by a prescriber.

Sources: Mounjaro KwikPen Summary of Product Characteristics (electronic medicines compendium); MHRA guidance on GLP-1 medicines and contraception; General Pharmaceutical Council standards for pharmacy professionals.