GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone released from the gut after eating that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that act on the same receptor as this hormone. These medications help you feel fuller, slow digestion and support blood sugar control. In the UAE, they include Ozempic, the Wegovy injection and pill, Mounjaro and Foundayo. All require a prescription and a medical assessment.
- The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) describes GLP-1 medications as mimicking a natural hormone released after eating, which helps people feel fuller.
- Mounjaro acts on the receptors for GLP-1 and a second gut hormone, GIP, while Ozempic, Wegovy and Foundayo act on the GLP-1 receptor alone. For this reason, Mounjaro is often called a dual-action medication.
- Digestive side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are reported more often than others and can be particularly pronounced in the first few days at a new dose.
- Your endocrinologist will increase the dose in steps, which can help your body adjust and reduce digestive side effects.
- The MHRA sets stop times before pregnancy: at least two months for semaglutide and at least one month for tirzepatide.
- Seek urgent medical help for severe stomach pain that spreads to the back and does not go away, as it can be a sign of pancreatitis.
- The MHRA warns that GLP-1 medications should not be bought from unregulated sellers, naming beauty salons and social media.
The term GLP-1 refers to a hormone that the body makes, and it is also used as shorthand for the medications that act on that hormone’s receptor.
What is GLP-1?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. Cells in the small intestine release it after a meal. It is one of the incretin hormones, which help the body release insulin after eating.
The StatPearls clinical reference on GLP-1 receptor agonists describes four main effects of GLP-1:
- More insulin released when blood sugar rises
- Less glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar
- Slower emptying of the stomach
- A stronger feeling of fullness, through the brain’s appetite centre
The body breaks down its own GLP-1 quickly, through an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Its effects after each meal are therefore short-lived.
What is a GLP-1 receptor agonist?
A receptor agonist is a medication that binds to a receptor and activates it, as the body’s own hormone does. A GLP-1 receptor agonist, often called a GLP-1 medication, activates the GLP-1 receptor.
GLP-1 medications act for much longer than the body’s own GLP-1. Depending on the medication, they are taken as a once-weekly injection or a once-daily tablet.
Semaglutide and orforglipron act on the GLP-1 receptor alone. Tirzepatide acts on the GLP-1 receptor and on the receptor for a second gut hormone, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
How do GLP-1 medications work?
The MHRA guidance on GLP-1 medications describes them as helping people feel fuller by mimicking a natural hormone released after eating. By activating the GLP-1 receptor for longer, these medications can reduce appetite and food intake. Because the stomach empties more slowly, a smaller meal may feel more filling.
In people with type 2 diabetes, the effects on insulin and glucagon can help lower blood sugar. These effects on appetite and blood sugar are the reason some GLP-1 medications are approved for type 2 diabetes and others for weight management.
How much each patient responds varies. The dose that suits one patient may not suit another.
Which GLP-1 medications are available in the UAE?
The following GLP-1 medications are available in the UAE on prescription. Each approved use is the one set out by the medication’s regulator.
| Medication | Active ingredient | How it works | Form | Approved use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor | Once-weekly injection | Type 2 diabetes |
| The Wegovy injection | Semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor | Once-weekly injection | Weight management in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older |
| The Wegovy pill | Semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor | Once-daily tablet | Weight management in adults |
| Rybelsus | Semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor | Once-daily tablet | Type 2 diabetes |
| Mounjaro | Tirzepatide | GIP and GLP-1 receptors | Once-weekly injection | Weight management and type 2 diabetes (European Medicines Agency) |
| Foundayo | Orforglipron | GLP-1 receptor | Once-daily tablet | Chronic weight management (Emirates Drug Establishment) |
The uses for Ozempic, the Wegovy injection and Rybelsus follow their prescribing information. The use for the Wegovy pill follows its approval by the Emirates Drug Establishment. The use for Mounjaro follows its authorisation by the European Medicines Agency. Our comparison of Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy explains how the three injections differ.
Foundayo (orforglipron) is a once-daily tablet that targets the same GLP-1 receptor as injectable GLP-1 weight loss medications. It helps regulate appetite and food intake, but unlike weekly GLP-1 injections, it is taken by mouth. Foundayo is approved for chronic weight management in both the UAE and the US. The Emirates Drug Establishment approved it in the UAE, while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it on 1 April 2026.
Why do GLP-1 medications cause nausea?
GLP-1 medications slow the emptying of the stomach. StatPearls notes that mild, short-lived nausea may occur when patients eat while already feeling full.
This is one reason your endocrinologist will start with a low dose and increase it in steps. Side effects such as nausea or constipation can be particularly pronounced in the first few days at a new dose. They often improve as your body adjusts, although some symptoms last longer. The following habits can help while your body adjusts:
- Smaller meals, eaten slowly
- Stopping when you first feel full
- Regular sips of water through the day
- Avoiding alcohol
The NHS guidance on semaglutide advises against drinking alcohol, because it can increase nausea and vomiting. This is practical advice to limit side effects, and the prescribing information does not list alcohol as a contraindication. If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, we recommend agreeing individual advice on alcohol with your endocrinologist and never drinking on an empty stomach. If you experience nausea or constipation, your endocrinologist can adjust the pace of dose increases and, where needed, prescribe medication to help manage these side effects. Endocare’s doctors are always available to support patients with advice.
Side effects of GLP-1 medications
The prescribing information for each GLP-1 medication lists digestive side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain. Not every patient experiences them. Vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, which can affect the kidneys. We recommend drinking enough fluid, particularly when you have either.
The MHRA describes the main symptom of pancreatitis as severe pain in the stomach that radiates to the back and does not go away. It advises anyone who experiences this to seek urgent medical help. Being unable to keep fluids down and signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or difficulty breathing, also need urgent medical care. Gallbladder problems, including gallstones, have also been reported with GLP-1 medications.
GLP-1 medications rarely cause low blood sugar on their own, because GLP-1 helps the body release insulin only when blood sugar rises. The risk can increase when they are taken with insulin or a sulfonylurea. In that case, your endocrinologist may adjust the dose of those medications.
Tell your healthcare team, including the anaesthetist, that you take a GLP-1 medication before any procedure, as the MHRA advises. GLP-1 medications slow the emptying of the stomach, which can increase the risk of inhaling stomach contents under general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
Seek medical advice immediately if you notice a sudden change in your eyesight while taking semaglutide. The MHRA reports very rare cases of an eye condition affecting the optic nerve, called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), with semaglutide.
Our pages on Mounjaro side effects, Ozempic side effects and Wegovy side effects cover each medication in detail. Our page on Foundayo side effects covers the once-daily tablet.
Who should not take a GLP-1 medication?
GLP-1 medications are not suitable during pregnancy. The Wegovy prescribing information and the Mounjaro prescribing information also rule out semaglutide and tirzepatide for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, or with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. The MHRA states that GLP-1 medications are not for people who want to lose weight for aesthetic or cosmetic purposes.
The MHRA advises stopping semaglutide at least two months, and tirzepatide at least one month, before trying to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using a GLP-1 medication, it advises talking to a healthcare professional straight away.
Do not take two GLP-1 medications together. If you have had pancreatitis, your endocrinologist will discuss whether a GLP-1 medication is appropriate for you.
Who may be suitable for a GLP-1 medication?
Weight loss medication is generally considered for patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above when weight-related health conditions are present. Eligibility also depends on the approved use of each medication. Your endocrinologist will assess whether medication is appropriate based on your individual health and weight profile.
For many patients with a smaller weight loss goal, the focus is on a personalised nutrition and activity plan with regular follow-up. Our article on who qualifies for weight loss injections explains the criteria in more detail.
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.
Why medical supervision matters with GLP-1 medications
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 a GLP-1 medication or another weight loss treatment is the right option for you.
Your endocrinologist will then review the dose with you at each monthly follow-up. Endocare’s lifestyle coaches will support you with nutrition, movement, sleep and stress. Together, these form our medical weight loss programme.
At Endocare, body composition analysis is included free of charge at every consultation. Body composition analysis estimates body fat, muscle mass and body water. Repeated measurements help your endocrinologist understand how your body is changing beyond the number on the scale.
Adequate protein and resistance training can help preserve muscle while you lose weight. Our article on muscle loss on GLP-1 medications covers this in more detail.
The MHRA advises against buying GLP-1 medications from unregulated sellers, such as beauty salons or social media accounts. The FDA warns that unapproved GLP-1 medications are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality. Our articles on compounded GLP-1 medications and medical supervision for GLP-1 treatment explain the risks of treatment without a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What does GLP-1 stand for?
GLP-1 is the abbreviation of glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone released from the gut after eating. It helps regulate appetite and the release of insulin.
Is GLP-1 the same as Ozempic?
No. GLP-1 is a hormone that the body makes, while Ozempic is a medication that acts on the GLP-1 receptor. Ozempic contains semaglutide and is approved for type 2 diabetes. Other GLP-1 medications include the Wegovy injection, the Wegovy pill, Mounjaro and Foundayo.
Is there a GLP-1 pill?
Yes. The Wegovy pill and Foundayo are once-daily tablets approved for weight management, and Rybelsus is a tablet for type 2 diabetes. Our article on GLP-1 pills explains how they compare with the injections.
How long do GLP-1 medications take to work?
Some patients start to see weight changes from around week two, while others take longer to respond. Early weight loss also does not necessarily continue at the same rate. Our guide on how long weight loss injections take to work explains the timeline in more detail.
Do you have to take a GLP-1 medication forever?
Not necessarily. The World Health Organization describes obesity as a chronic disease, and treatment with a GLP-1 medication is often long-term. There is no fixed treatment duration that applies to every patient. Some people may stop after an individualised review, with a plan to monitor weight and health. Weight regain is possible after stopping. Our articles on stopping a weight loss injection safely and maintaining weight loss after GLP-1 treatment explain the options.
Can GLP-1 medications be used for type 2 diabetes?
Yes. Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved for type 2 diabetes, and the European Medicines Agency authorises Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes as well as weight management. If you take a GLP-1 medication for type 2 diabetes, stopping it can worsen blood sugar control. Your endocrinologist will plan any change in treatment with you. Our page on diabetes treatment in the UAE explains how our endocrinologists manage type 2 diabetes.
At our Dubai clinic, your endocrinologist will assess you, review your blood tests and discuss whether a GLP-1 medication is appropriate for you. You can book a weight loss consultation on +971 4 285 3885 or send us a message on WhatsApp.
