What Happens at a Mounjaro Consultation in Edinburgh?

For most people, the decision to book a Mounjaro consultation is made some time before the appointment actually happens. There is usually a period of research, of weighing things up, of wondering what the process actually looks like. One of the most common things patients tell us is that knowing what to expect beforehand made a significant difference — it turned an unfamiliar clinical setting into a conversation they felt prepared for. That is what this guide is for.

A Mounjaro consultation at Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic is a structured but relaxed clinical conversation — not a judgement, not a hard sell, and not a box-ticking exercise. For a full overview of Mounjaro treatment, eligibility and costs, read our complete Mounjaro guide.

Before your appointment

When you book online, you will receive confirmation and a short health questionnaire to complete before you arrive. This covers your weight history, current medical conditions, any medications you take, and a few key questions relevant to Mounjaro eligibility. It takes most patients around five to ten minutes.

Completing this in advance is not a formality — it directly shapes your consultation. Your prescriber reviews your responses before the appointment, which means the time you spend with them is spent on the clinical conversation that matters, rather than on basic data gathering. If anything in the questionnaire flags a potential concern, we may be in touch before the appointment to discuss it.

There is nothing specific you need to do on the day — no fasting, no preparation beyond completing the questionnaire. It helps to have a reasonable idea of your current weight and height if you do not know them precisely, as BMI is part of the eligibility assessment. Wearing accessible clothing — something that makes it easy to access your upper arm or abdomen — is useful if injection training is included.

The clinical assessment

The consultation begins with a clinical assessment conducted by Ather Diab, Superintendent Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber. This is a proper clinical conversation — unhurried, honest and two-directional. Your prescriber will review your health history, measure your weight and BMI if needed, and discuss the factors relevant to Mounjaro suitability.

The eligibility criteria for Mounjaro are set by the clinical evidence and licensing. The primary criteria are a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27.5 or above in the presence of at least one weight-related health condition — such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or polycystic ovary syndrome. These thresholds exist because the clinical trials that established Mounjaro’s safety and efficacy were conducted in these populations, and prescribing outside them requires a careful clinical rationale.

If there are questions during this assessment, you will be asked them directly. If there is anything in your history that warrants further consideration, your prescriber will discuss it with you rather than making assumptions. The aim is to reach a genuinely informed clinical decision together — not to process you through a checklist.

The prescription and your first pen

If you are clinically suitable for Mounjaro, your prescription is issued at the same appointment. Because Ather Diab is an Independent Prescriber, there is no requirement to return to a GP for a prescription — the entire process happens within the clinic. Your first pen (2.5mg) is either dispensed directly from the pharmacy on the same visit or arranged for collection within a very short timeframe, depending on stock.

Before you leave, your prescriber will walk you through the treatment plan: the starting dose and why it is set deliberately low, the escalation schedule, what to expect in the first few weeks, and how to manage any side effects that arise. This is not a brief handout — it is a proper explanation, with time for your questions.

Injection training at the pharmacy

Mounjaro is self-injected using an auto-injector pen — a simple, spring-loaded device that delivers the medication subcutaneously with a single press. Most patients are surprised by how straightforward it is. The needle is short, the device is designed to minimise any sensation, and the injection itself takes only a few seconds.

Injection training is included in your first appointment. We will cover the three approved injection sites — abdomen, outer thigh and back of the upper arm — and explain why rotating between them matters. We will demonstrate the technique and give you the opportunity to ask any questions before you leave. If you are still uncertain, we can schedule a brief follow-up specifically to go through the injection process again. You will not be sent home to work it out on your own.

Aftercare and ongoing support

A Mounjaro consultation is the start of a clinical relationship, not a one-off transaction. Before you leave your first appointment, a follow-up review will be scheduled — typically at four weeks, to coincide with the first dose increase decision. Subsequent reviews follow a regular pattern throughout treatment.

Between appointments, you can reach us by phone on 0131 563 6824 or by email at evc@bruntsfieldpharmacy.co.uk. If you have a question about a side effect, a concern about your dose, or anything else related to your treatment — call us. That is exactly what we are here for. Patients who engage with support throughout treatment consistently report better outcomes than those who manage alone between appointments.

Your ongoing prescription is managed by us throughout treatment. You do not need to involve your GP unless there is a clinical reason to do so — though we do recommend keeping your GP broadly informed about any private medications you are taking, as good medical practice.

How to get started

1. Book online. Choose a time that suits you at Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic, 129 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4EQ. Appointments are available across the week.
2. Complete your health questionnaire. You will receive this with your booking confirmation. Five to ten minutes before the appointment is all it takes.
3. Attend your consultation. Arrive, meet your prescriber, go through the assessment. Bring any medication you currently take — or a list of them — if you have it to hand.
4. Leave with everything you need. If suitable, you receive your prescription, your 2.5mg starting pen, injection training and your next review date — all in one appointment. Most patients are done in under 30 minutes.

Mounjaro consultation — your questions answered

Do I need a GP referral to book a Mounjaro consultation?

No. Our prescriber is an Independent Prescriber — which means he can assess, prescribe and supply Mounjaro independently, without involvement from your GP. You book directly, complete your health questionnaire, attend your appointment, and if suitable, receive your prescription at the same visit. Many of our patients come to us precisely because their GP was unable or unwilling to help.

What happens if I am not suitable for Mounjaro?

If the assessment finds that Mounjaro is not appropriate for you — because of a contraindication, a medication interaction, or because you do not meet the eligibility criteria — your prescriber will explain why, clearly and honestly. In some cases there are alternative options worth discussing. We do not prescribe inappropriately, but we do take the time to make sure you understand the reasoning and leave with a clear next step wherever possible.

How long does the consultation take?

Most first appointments take 20 to 30 minutes. This includes the clinical assessment, the prescription and treatment plan discussion, and injection training. Patients who have more complex health histories or additional questions may take slightly longer — appointments are not rushed. Subsequent reviews are shorter, typically 10–15 minutes.

Will I get my first pen at the appointment?

In most cases, yes. If you are assessed as suitable, your prescription is issued on the day and your first 2.5mg pen is dispensed directly from the pharmacy. In rare cases where stock requires a short wait, we arrange collection for the same or following day. The aim is always for you to leave with everything you need to begin treatment.

Should I tell my GP I am starting Mounjaro?

We recommend keeping your GP informed about any private medications you are taking — this is good practice for overall medical care. Your GP does not need to approve or refer you, and informing them is not a requirement for treatment. However, if you have ongoing conditions managed by your GP — particularly diabetes — it is important they are aware of any changes to your medication, as Mounjaro can affect blood glucose and may require adjustments to existing treatments.

How much does the consultation cost?

Our Mounjaro consultation fee and current pen prices are available on our booking page. The consultation fee is separate from the cost of the medication, and subsequent review appointments are included in the ongoing treatment arrangement. For a full breakdown of costs, read our Mounjaro cost guide.

Before your appointment, you may also find it useful to read our Mounjaro eligibility guide and our guide to Mounjaro side effects — both cover topics that come up regularly in first consultations.