GLP-1 medicines are prescription-only in the UK. This page is educational and isn't medical advice.
Making Sense of GLP-1 Medicines
A clear, jargon-free guide to one of the most talked-about areas of modern medicine — what medicines like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are, what they do, and how getting them works in the UK.
Medicines at a glance
The brands you'll hear about most, and what each one is for. Educational only — no prices, no recommendations.
Ozempic
GLP-1- Active drug
- Semaglutide
- Form
- Injection
- How often
- Weekly
- Mainly for
- Type 2 diabetes
Wegovy
GLP-1- Active drug
- Semaglutide
- Form
- Injection
- How often
- Weekly
- Mainly for
- Weight management
Rybelsus
GLP-1- Active drug
- Semaglutide
- Form
- Tablet
- How often
- Daily
- Mainly for
- Type 2 diabetes
Mounjaro
GLP-1 + GIP- Active drug
- Tirzepatide
- Form
- Injection
- How often
- Weekly
- Mainly for
- Diabetes & weight
Saxenda
GLP-1- Active drug
- Liraglutide
- Form
- Injection
- How often
- Daily
- Mainly for
- Weight management
Trulicity
GLP-1- Active drug
- Dulaglutide
- Form
- Injection
- How often
- Weekly
- Mainly for
- Type 2 diabetes
The Essentials
Begin here — what these medicines are and what taking them involves.
Ozempic vs Wegovy: One Drug, Two Licences
They contain the same active ingredient, yet they aren't interchangeable. Here's why the UK licenses semaglutide under two different names.
BMI and Whether a GLP-1 Might Be Considered
How BMI fits into UK decisions about weight-management medicines, using the standard thresholds the NHS and NICE work with.
Injections, Tablets and Storage: Using GLP-1s Day to Day
The practical side — what a weekly pen actually involves, how the daily tablet differs, and how to keep them properly.
Why the NHS Treats Obesity as a Medical Condition
The shift from 'willpower' to biology — and how that change in thinking shapes the way weight is treated in the UK.
Common GLP-1 Myths, Cleared Up
The rumours travel faster than the facts. Here are the misunderstandings we hear most in the UK, set straight.
The Science
The approachable science of what they do once they're inside you.
How GLP-1 Medicines Work Inside the Body
The friendly science: three gentle effects, why dual-action exists, and a look at the family side by side.
Food Noise: Why Appetite Goes Quiet on GLP-1s
Many people describe the constant mental chatter about food simply switching off. Here's what 'food noise' is and why it happens.
How GLP-1s Fit With Other Type 2 Diabetes Treatments
GLP-1 medicines are often added to existing treatment. Here's how they fit alongside others — educational, with no dosing advice.
GLP-1s, the Heart and Kidneys: What the Growing Evidence Suggests
Beyond blood sugar and weight, research is exploring wider benefits. Here's a careful, non-hyped look at where things stand.
Safety & Side Effects
What to expect day to day, the uncommon risks, and the genuine upsides.
Common Side Effects and Practical Ways to Settle Them
Most side effects are mild and fade. Here's what tends to happen, why, and the simple things that help.
Rare but Serious Risks, and When to Get Help
Uncommon doesn't mean ignorable. The serious risks to know, who shouldn't take these medicines, and the red flags that mean 'get checked'.
What to Expect in Your First Month
A calm, week-by-week sense of starting a GLP-1, so the early days hold no surprises.
Thinking of Stopping a GLP-1? What to Know
These are usually long-term medicines. Here's why appetite and weight often return if you stop, and how to come off thoughtfully.
Eating Well on a GLP-1: A UK Plate
Simple, comforting ways to eat while appetite is smaller — to ease early nausea, stay nourished, and feel good.
HbA1c and Blood-Sugar Targets, Made Simple
If you have type 2 diabetes you'll hear a lot about HbA1c. Here's what it means and where GLP-1s fit.
Access & Rules
How access and the rules work.
Getting a GLP-1 on the NHS: How Access Works
Who tends to be eligible, which routes exist, and why NHS access is real but limited.
Getting a GLP-1 Privately in the UK, Safely
Many people use regulated private services. Here's how that should work — and the warning signs of one that isn't safe.
Who Decides? The MHRA and NICE, Explained Simply
Two bodies shape which GLP-1s you can get, and when. Here's what each one does, in plain English.
Shortages and Supply: Why Ozempic Is Protected for Diabetes
Surging demand has caused supply pressures. Here's why some products are prioritised for people with diabetes.
This page is general information, not medical advice, and can't replace a conversation with a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health. Always check with a qualified professional before you start, stop or change any medicine.