Weight-loss injection & slimming injection
What is a weight-loss injection?
The 'weight-loss injection' is not a separate medicine, but the popular name for GLP-1 injections that suppress appetite. They mimic the body's own hormone GLP-1, making you feel full sooner and for longer so you eat less. You can read exactly how this works on how GLP-1 medicines work. The terms 'slimming injection', 'slimming pen', 'weight-loss pen' and 'slimming shot' all refer to the same thing. A doctor decides whether such a medicine is right for you.
Which weight-loss injections are there?
The best-known weight-loss injections in the Netherlands:
| Medicine | Active ingredient | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Semaglutide | Weekly injection |
| Wegovy | Semaglutide | Weekly injection |
| Mounjaro | Tirzepatide | Weekly injection |
| Saxenda | Liraglutide | Daily injection |
Prefer not to inject? There are also tablets such as Rybelsus and Mysimba — see pill or injection. If you're unsure which medicine to choose, read Ozempic or Mounjaro.
How does the slimming pen work?
A slimming pen is a pre-filled injection pen with which you administer the medicine under the skin (abdomen, thigh or upper arm). The dose is built up gradually to limit side effects — see dosing & titration and how injecting works. Always follow the package leaflet and the instructions from your doctor and pharmacy.
What does a weight-loss injection cost?
There is no fixed price: it depends on the medicine, the dose and the provider. As a rough guide, monthly costs range from around €150 to €500+. Work it out with our cost calculator and compare providers on the clinics page. For weight loss, the weight-loss injection is usually not covered by insurance; read more on insurance coverage.
Side effects, safety & prescription
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, diarrhoea); see side effects of Ozempic and of Mounjaro. A weight-loss injection is prescription-only: you cannot legally buy it without a prescription, and counterfeits sold through dubious web shops are a real danger — read how to spot counterfeits and are weight-loss medicines dangerous?.
Who is it for & how do you start?
A weight-loss injection is generally intended for obesity (BMI of 30 or above) or for being overweight (BMI of 27 or above) with a weight-related condition — see who is it suitable for. You start with an intake in which a doctor assesses your eligibility (the doctor's intake). Compare the providers and their support on the clinics page.