Compiled and edited by John Fox. Published
What Is a GLP-1? A Plain-English Guide for Ireland
Checked 29 October 2026.
A GLP-1 medicine is a prescription medicine that copies a hormone your body already makes. In Ireland the best-known names are Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Saxenda. They are used for type 2 diabetes or, for some adults, weight management, and only a doctor or other prescriber can decide whether one is suitable for you.
What "GLP-1" means
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It is a hormone your gut releases after you eat. It helps your body release insulin when your blood sugar rises, slows down how quickly your stomach empties and signals to your brain that you are full.
GLP-1 medicines act like this hormone, but for much longer. Many people taking one feel full sooner and less hungry between meals. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) also acts on a second gut hormone, GIP.
The names you will hear in Ireland
| Medicine | Brand | Licensed use in Ireland | How it is taken | |---|---|---|---| | Semaglutide | Wegovy | Weight management | Weekly injection | | Semaglutide | Ozempic | Type 2 diabetes | Weekly injection | | Tirzepatide | Mounjaro | Type 2 diabetes and weight management | Weekly injection | | Liraglutide | Saxenda | Weight management | Daily injection |
Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same ingredient but are licensed for different reasons. Wegovy vs Ozempic explains why that matters.
Who they are prescribed for
The HSE says Wegovy and Mounjaro can be prescribed for weight management to adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with at least one weight-related health problem. They are used alongside healthier eating and more physical activity, not instead of them.
A prescriber will also check your medical history, other medicines and anything that would make a GLP-1 unsafe for you. Our eligibility check shows whether you may meet the BMI criteria, but it is not a prescription or a medical assessment.
Side effects
The most common side effects are digestive: feeling sick, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting, usually while the dose is being increased. Most prescribers raise the dose slowly to reduce them. Tell your prescriber about severe stomach pain or vomiting that will not stop. Mounjaro side effects covers the questions to ask before starting.
What they cost
When we last checked, Irish pharmacies listed about €200 to €585 for four weeks of medicine, depending on the medicine and dose. Consultation, delivery and review fees can be extra. The price list shows each published price, its source and the date we checked it, and prescribed medicines can qualify for tax relief.
Does the HSE pay?
Not for Wegovy or Mounjaro yet. On 13 October 2026 the NCPE recommended that the HSE consider funding Wegovy, but the HSE has not decided. Saxenda is the only GLP-1 the HSE covers for weight management, and only for people who meet strict criteria. HSE reimbursement has the latest position for each medicine.
Buy only with a prescription
Prescription medicines cannot legally be sold online in Ireland without a prescription, and the HPRA has found fake pens. If a website offers a GLP-1 without a consultation, do not buy it. Online safety checks explains how to check a pharmacy is registered.
Next steps
If you are thinking about a GLP-1, start with your GP or a registered online service. Compare Irish providers to see who prescribes, what they publish about fees and how to check them.
GLP-1.ie is an independent information site, not a clinic, pharmacy or prescriber. This guide is general information, not medical advice.