15 Aug 2025
What weight loss injections are available in Ireland?
All medical information is reviewed by our clinical partners at MedicOnline.
Dr. Jahan Khan, CMO @ MedicOnline
IMC 409788
There are three primary medications licensed and prescribed for weight management in Ireland. All are available only with a prescription from an IMC-registered doctor. These medications all belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists (or, in one case, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist). They work by mimicking your body's natural hormones to reduce appetite and slow digestion.
Here is a clear breakdown of the three main options.
1. Tirzepatide (Brand name: Mounjaro®)
- How it Works: Mounjaro is the newest of the three and is a dual-agonist. It mimics both GLP-1 and a second hormone, GIP, for a combined effect on appetite and metabolism.
- How it's Taken: It is also a once-weekly injection.
- Key Fact: Clinical trials showed the highest average weight loss of the three, making it a major new option in medical weight management.
2. Semaglutide (Brand name: Wegovy®)
- How it Works: Wegovy is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is the same active drug as Ozempic®, but Wegovy is licensed and dosed specifically for weight management.
- How it's Taken: It is a once-weekly injection.
- Key Fact: Clinical trials showed significant average weight loss, and the weekly schedule is a practical benefit for many patients.
3. Liraglutide (Brand name: Saxenda®)
- How it Works: Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
- How it's Taken: It is a once-daily injection.
- Key Fact: This was the first of this new class of medications to be widely available in Ireland specifically for weight management.
How to know which is right for you?
The choice of medication is a clinical decision made by a doctor. They will assess your full medical history, your BMI, and any other health conditions to determine which, if any, is the safest and most appropriate for you. To learn more about eligibility criteria, you might like to read our post on who medical weight management is actually for.
These treatments are most effective when used as part of a comprehensive, doctor-led programme that includes support for nutrition, physical activity, and long-term sustainable habits. It's also important to understand who cannot safely take these medications due to contraindications.
The Bua Health Safety-First Approach
You can't simply "buy" Mounjaro online. It requires a full medical review.
At Bua Health, our clinical partners MedicOnline are committed to the highest standards of patient safety.
Our online assessment process is designed to thoroughly screen for every one of these contraindications and risk factors. An IMC-registered doctor personally reviews your entire medical history before ever issuing a prescription. This comprehensive, doctor-led process ensures that a treatment is not just effective, but clinically safe and appropriate for you.
References
- Jastreboff, A. M., et al. (2022). Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216.
- Wilding, J. P. H., et al. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002.
- Pi-Sunyer, X., et al. (2015). A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. The New England Journal of Medicine, 373(1), 11-22.
Related Blogs
Who Qualifies for Mounjaro in Ireland?
An overview of the clinical criteria, safety checks, and medical assessment process doctors use to decide who is eligible for Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) in Ireland.
Read
Who can't take Mounjaro? Understanding the contraindications
A comprehensive guide to the absolute contraindications and other cautions that determine who cannot safely take Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) in Ireland.
Read
Can My GP Prescribe Mounjaro?
Understanding whether your local GP can prescribe Mounjaro® for weight management in Ireland, and when a dedicated weight management service might be the better choice.
ReadWho Qualifies for Mounjaro in Ireland?
An overview of the clinical criteria, safety checks, and medical assessment process doctors use to decide who is eligible for Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) in Ireland.
Who can't take Mounjaro? Understanding the contraindications
A comprehensive guide to the absolute contraindications and other cautions that determine who cannot safely take Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) in Ireland.
Can My GP Prescribe Mounjaro?
Understanding whether your local GP can prescribe Mounjaro® for weight management in Ireland, and when a dedicated weight management service might be the better choice.