You can bring Mounjaro, Wegovy or Ozempic into the UAE, provided you carry the right documents. The Embassy of the UAE states that travellers must carry the prescription for the quantity of medication they bring. Controlled medicines need approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention before the trip, so we recommend checking your medication’s status with your prescribing doctor. After you move, an endocrinologist in Dubai can review your treatment and how to continue it.
- The Embassy of the UAE advises asking your doctor whether a prescribed medication is controlled before you travel, and following any rules on quantity and documents.
- The Embassy states that controlled medication needs approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention before the trip, while uncontrolled prescription medication does not.
- The Ministry of Health and Prevention states that narcotic or controlled medicines are limited to a supply of up to three months, with all the necessary documentation.
- The Wegovy injection is available in the UAE from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg, but the 7.2 mg dose is not available here.
- If your treatment has been interrupted by the move, your endocrinologist will review the time since your last dose before deciding how to continue.
- The pen dispensed in the UAE may differ from the one you used before, so follow the instructions supplied with your prescribed pen.
Can you bring Mounjaro, Wegovy or Ozempic into the UAE?
Travellers can bring prescription medication into the UAE, provided they follow the rules that the Embassy of the UAE sets out. Before you travel, the Embassy recommends confirming with your doctor whether each of your medications is controlled.
For a controlled medication, approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention is needed before the trip. Uncontrolled prescription medication and over-the-counter medication do not need prior approval.
The Embassy page links to the Ministry’s list of controlled medicines. If you are unsure how your medication is classified, the Embassy advises contacting the nearest UAE embassy or consulate. It also notes that most common medicines are available in UAE pharmacies and hospitals.
What to carry when you arrive
Your prescription needs to cover the full quantity of medication you bring into the UAE. We recommend keeping it with your medication in your hand luggage.
The UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) advises keeping medication in its original labelled pharmacy packaging. Its guidance also recommends a letter from your prescriber listing each medication by its generic name, such as tirzepatide for Mounjaro or semaglutide for Wegovy and Ozempic. A letter of this kind can also help your new doctor in the UAE understand your treatment so far.
On the flight, keep your pens in your hand luggage, within the temperature limits in each pen’s leaflet. Our guide to storing weight loss injections in the UAE explains the limits for each pen.
Continuing treatment after you move
Treatment with a GLP-1 medication can continue in the UAE after an assessment by a doctor here. Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes. Foundayo (orforglipron), a once-daily tablet, is also available in the UAE. Our page on Mounjaro in Dubai explains how treatment with Mounjaro works at our Dubai clinic.
Your first appointment is a full medical assessment, not simply a prescription visit. Your endocrinologist will review your medical history and any relevant blood tests, assess your weight and metabolic health, and discuss whether your current medication or another weight loss treatment is the right option for you.
Where possible, your first appointment takes place in person at Endocare’s Dubai clinic, as the physical examination and body composition analysis cannot be completed remotely.
Your endocrinologist will review blood tests from the last three months before prescribing. If your results are out of date, the clinic can arrange the required tests. If they are current, your assessment and prescription can usually be completed at your first appointment. We recommend bringing your previous prescriptions, your current dose, the date of your last dose and any recent blood test results to your first appointment.
A move can leave a gap between doses. Your endocrinologist will take the length of the gap into account when deciding how to continue. The Wegovy label, for example, states that after two or more missed doses, dosing can resume as scheduled or, if needed, the dose escalation can restart.
The pen dispensed in the UAE may not be the same presentation you used before. All are injected subcutaneously, but the exact pen technique differs by medication and device, so follow the instructions supplied with your prescribed pen. Our guide on how to inject weight loss medication covers the general technique.
Mounjaro is available in the UAE from 2.5 mg to 15 mg. Ozempic is available at 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg, and Wegovy injections from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg. The 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy is not available in the UAE. If your current dose is not among these, your endocrinologist will discuss the options with you.
Insurance after a move to the UAE
Insurance coverage for weight loss treatment in the UAE varies by policy and is often limited, so we recommend checking your individual coverage before starting treatment. Our care coordinators can also help you in this process. Our page on insurance coverage for weight loss treatment explains what to check with your insurer.
Where to continue your care in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Endocare’s endocrinologists see patients at our Dubai clinic in Dubai Healthcare City.
Our Abu Dhabi clinic in Al Bateen offers the same weight loss services, including weight loss consultations, body composition analysis and blood tests.
Medication delivery is free across the UAE and typically arrives the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare medication at customs in Dubai?
The Ministry of Health and Prevention states that people entering the UAE may bring the quantity of medication they need for personal use during their stay, as long as it does not exceed six months. The Ministry adds that narcotic or controlled medicines are limited to a supply of up to three months, with all the necessary documentation. For uncontrolled prescription medication, the Embassy states that prior approval is not needed, and that the prescription must cover the quantity you carry. If you are unsure which applies to your medication, ask your prescribing doctor before you travel.
How soon can I see an endocrinologist after moving to Dubai?
In the UAE, you can see an endocrinologist directly, with no GP referral needed, for concerns related to hormones, weight, metabolism or blood sugar. If you plan to use health insurance, we recommend checking your policy before you book, because some insurers require a referral or pre-approval. Booking your first appointment before your current supply runs out allows your treatment to continue without a long gap.
Will my dose stay the same after I move?
Not necessarily. Your endocrinologist will review your dose history, how you have responded and whether your current dose is available in the UAE. The dose is reviewed with your endocrinologist at each monthly follow-up.
I used Zepbound abroad. Can I continue with Mounjaro in the UAE?
Zepbound and Mounjaro both contain tirzepatide and are made by the same manufacturer. In the US, the Zepbound label covers weight management, while Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro is available in the UAE on prescription, and your endocrinologist will assess whether it is appropriate for you.
Patients should not decide by themselves to start a GLP-1 medication. A doctor’s review is critical to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for the individual.
Monthly follow-up appointments can be held in person at the clinic or online.
At our Dubai clinic, your endocrinologist will assess you, review your treatment so far and discuss how to continue it in the UAE. You can book a weight loss consultation on +971 4 285 3885 or send us a message on WhatsApp.
