What are GLP-1 drugs.
GLP-1 explained without the jargon: what these medicines are, how they work, and which ones are available in the UK.
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 — a hormone your gut releases after eating that tells your brain you're full and slows how quickly your stomach empties. GLP-1 medicines mimic that hormone, amplifying the “I'm satisfied” signal.
The UK family, 2026
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — weekly injection; mimics GLP-1 and a second hormone, GIP, which is why its trial results lead the class. Prices →
- Wegovy (semaglutide) — weekly injection, pure GLP-1. Prices →
- Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) — the same ingredient as a daily tablet with a fasting routine. Prices →
- Foundayo (orforglipron) — a daily tablet and the first small-molecule GLP-1, so no fasting needed. UK-licensed 10 August 2026. Prices →
What they're for — and what they're not
They're licensed for weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition — alongside diet and activity changes, not instead of them. They're prescription-only, not suitable for everyone, and the decision to start one belongs to a prescriber. For the clinical detail, the NHS obesity page is the right starting point.
Live prices, per medication.
The official sources, in one place.
These are the bodies that actually regulate, appraise and advise. If anything you read anywhere — including here — disagrees with them, believe them.