Written by: the Medetone Medical Team
Medically reviewed by: Dr Abdullah
Reading time: 7 minutes · Guidance verified: October 2026
Losing weight with injections has gone from niche to mainstream in a few short years, and the volume of noise around it has grown faster than the quality of the information. This guide sets out what these medicines actually are, how they differ, what results the trials show, who they are intended for, and how reimbursement works in the Netherlands. It also covers the step most people skip, which is free and comes first. These are prescription-only medicines, and this article is informational rather than a substitute for your doctor's advice. If you are exploring options, see our weight-loss treatments or read more about Mounjaro.
Quick answer
What they are: GLP-1 and GIP medicines, given as an injection under the skin
How often: weekly for most, daily for one older option
Typical results: 5% to 22% of body weight, depending on the medicine
Who for: BMI 30+, or 27+ with a weight-related condition
Reimbursement: generally self-funded for weight loss in 2026
First step: the GLI, which is free
What these weight loss injections actually are
They are not fat burners, appetite suppressants in the old sense, or supplements. They are hormone-based prescription medicines that mimic gut hormones your body releases naturally after eating.
Those hormones, GLP-1 and in one case also GIP, regulate appetite and how quickly your stomach empties. The medicines reproduce and extend that signalling, so you feel full sooner, stay full longer, and the persistent pull toward food quietens. The practical effect is that eating less stops feeling like a daily fight. Our guide to how Mounjaro works explains the mechanism in detail.
One condition applies across all of them: they are licensed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, never instead of them.
The main options compared
| Liraglutide | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acts on | GLP-1 | GLP-1 | GLP-1 and GIP |
| Frequency | Daily | Weekly | Weekly |
| Average weight loss | around 5% to 8% | around 14% to 17% | around 20% to 22% |
| Licensed for weight | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The pattern is clear. The dual-acting option produces the largest average weight loss, the weekly semaglutide option sits in the middle, and the older daily injection produces the most modest results. That does not automatically make the strongest the right choice, since tolerability, other conditions and individual response all matter. Our Mounjaro vs Wegovy guide compares the two leading options directly.
Who these medicines are for
Eligibility is defined clinically, not by preference. Losing weight with injections is intended for adults with:
- A BMI of 30 or above (obesity), or
- A BMI of 27 or above with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, dyslipidaemia or cardiovascular disease.
Outside those criteria these are not appropriate medicines. They are not for losing a few kilos for appearance, and a prescriber will not supply them on that basis. Obesity is treated here as a chronic medical condition, which is also why treatment is framed as long term rather than a short course.
What to expect, realistically
Weight loss is gradual and dose-dependent, not immediate. Most people notice appetite changes within the first week or two, while measurable weight change typically becomes clear after one to three months as the dose steps up. The largest trials measured their headline results at 68 to 72 weeks.
The first five to six months are usually when loss is fastest, after which weight often plateaus as intake and expenditure rebalance. Anyone expecting ten kilos in a month will be disappointed, and that expectation gap is one of the main reasons people stop early.
Side effects
Most side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting and abdominal discomfort. They cluster in the first weeks and immediately after each dose increase, and usually ease as the body adjusts, which is exactly why the dose is raised gradually.
Less common but more serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and dehydration from persistent vomiting or diarrhoea. In practice, side effects are a significant reason people discontinue, with around a quarter stopping within the first six months in some clinical settings. Honest expectations and good support make a real difference here.
Reimbursement in the Netherlands
This is where Dutch readers most often get confused, and the position in 2026 is specific.
For weight loss, the newer GLP-1 injections are generally not reimbursed from the basisverzekering. Zorginstituut Nederland is currently assessing whether they should be included, with a decision expected around late 2026 or early 2027. Until then, treatment for weight management is at your own expense.
Two important exceptions:
- For type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medicines are reimbursed from basic insurance under the applicable guidelines, subject to the eigen risico of €385.
- Some older weight-loss medicines can be reimbursed under strict conditions: typically at least one year in an RIVM-recognised GLI without sufficient result, combined with a BMI of 35 or above plus a weight-related condition, or a BMI of 40 or above.
Being registered for obesity is not the same as being reimbursed for obesity, and that distinction catches a lot of people out.
Protecting muscle, not just losing weight
A point that rarely makes the headlines. Rapid weight loss by any method includes some lean muscle mass, and the larger the total loss, the larger that absolute amount.
Muscle drives a meaningful share of your resting energy use, so losing it makes maintaining weight harder afterwards. The countermeasures are well established: adequate protein intake and resistance training two or three times a week. Our guide to protein during treatment covers targets and practical strategies.
What happens if you stop
Treatment is designed as long-term therapy with periodic review, not a course with a finish line.
If you stop, appetite regulation returns to its previous pattern and weight tends to follow, particularly where eating and activity habits have not changed. That is not a failure of the medicine; it reflects that the underlying condition has not disappeared. It is also the strongest argument for using the treatment period to build habits that can continue independently, rather than relying on the injection alone.
Is it right for you?
That depends on your BMI, medical history, other medicines and goals, which is precisely why these are prescription-only. A proper assessment reviews all of it before anything is prescribed, and ongoing reviews check that treatment is still working and still appropriate.
You can start an assessment with a licensed clinician or read more about Mounjaro. Patients in the UK can access treatment through Medetone UK or our partner service Rightangled, and patients in the United States through Medetone US.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight can you lose with injections?
Trial averages range from roughly 5% to 22% of body weight depending on the medicine and dose, alongside diet and activity changes.
Are weight-loss injections reimbursed in the Netherlands?
Generally no for weight loss in 2026. Reimbursement applies for type 2 diabetes, and for some older medicines under strict conditions after a GLI.
Do I need to inject every day?
Most are once weekly. One older option is daily.
Can I buy them without a prescription?
No. These are prescription-only medicines, and any seller offering them without one is operating illegally.
Do I have to keep taking them forever?
Not necessarily, but weight tends to return after stopping, so it is planned as long-term treatment with regular review.
In summary
Losing weight with injections can produce substantial, clinically meaningful results, with averages ranging from around 5% to 22% depending on the medicine. They are prescription-only, intended for specific BMI criteria, work only alongside diet and activity changes, and are generally self-funded for weight management in the Netherlands in 2026. Before anything else, the free GLI is the sensible and officially recommended first step, and a clinical assessment is what determines whether medication is right for you at all.
Medical information: this article is for information only and does not replace diagnosis, prescription or medical advice. These are prescription-only medicines. Reimbursement rules can change, so confirm your situation with your huisarts and your zorgverzekeraar.
References:
CBG-MEB, College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen (Netherlands): https://www.cbg-meb.nl
Zorginstituut Nederland: https://www.zorginstituutnederland.nl
RIVM, Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (Netherlands): https://www.rivm.nl
BfArM, Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (Germany): https://www.bfarm.de
ANSM, Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament (France): https://ansm.sante.fr
AEMPS, Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (Spain): https://www.aemps.gob.es
AIFA, Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (Italy): https://www.aifa.gov.it
European Medicines Agency: https://www.ema.europa.eu
