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Wegovy launched in Ireland in 2025 and is now one of the most widely used weight-loss injections. Here's what it costs in 2026, who can get it, and how it compares to Mounjaro.
Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide prescribed specifically for weight management. It is a once-weekly injection that mimics the gut hormone GLP-1, which reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying, and helps you feel fuller for longer. It is made by Novo Nordisk and is the same active ingredient as Ozempic, but Wegovy is the version licensed and dosed for weight loss, whereas Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes.
Yes. Wegovy was launched in Ireland in March 2025 and is available on private prescription. As with Mounjaro, it is prescription-only and not reimbursed by the HSE for weight loss, so patients pay privately.
Wegovy is priced by dose, and like all GLP-1 medicines, the cost rises as you titrate upward. As a guide for mid-2026, expect roughly:
| Dose (per month) | Typical Irish price range |
|---|---|
| 0.25 mg (starter) | €180 to €210 |
| 0.5 mg | €200 to €240 |
| 1.0 mg | €230 to €270 |
| 1.7 mg | €270 to €310 |
| 2.4 mg (maintenance) | €300 to €350 |
Indicative for mid-2026; pharmacies set their own prices. A consultation fee (around €20 online) applies for the prescribing assessment.
Wegovy is licensed for adults with:
It is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women or for people with certain medical histories. A prescriber will confirm whether it is right for you.
Wegovy uses a 16-week step-up schedule to reduce side effects before reaching the maintenance dose:
| Weeks | Dose (once weekly) |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | 0.25 mg |
| 5 to 8 | 0.5 mg |
| 9 to 12 | 1.0 mg |
| 13 to 16 | 1.7 mg |
| 17 onward | 2.4 mg (maintenance) |
In the STEP clinical trial programme, adults taking Wegovy 2.4 mg alongside lifestyle changes lost, on average, around 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. As with all GLP-1 medicines, results vary between individuals, work best with dietary and activity changes, and tend to reverse if treatment stops without a lasting lifestyle change.
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal and usually settle over time:
Rarer but serious risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. Wegovy is unsuitable for people with certain personal or family medical histories, which is why an assessment and ongoing reviews are required.
Both are highly effective once-weekly injections. The main differences:
| Wegovy | Mounjaro | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide |
| Mechanism | GLP-1 only | Dual GIP + GLP-1 |
| Average weight loss (trials) | ~15% (STEP, 68 wks) | ~15 to 20% (SURMOUNT, 72 wks) |
| Typical 2026 maintenance cost | €300 to €350 | €250 to €300+ |
Head-to-head trial evidence has tended to favor tirzepatide for average weight loss, but the "best" choice depends on your medical history, tolerance, and what your prescriber recommends. See our full comparison of weight-loss injections in Ireland for details.
Find out whether Wegovy is suitable for you with a fast, Irish-regulated online consultation from €20. A registered prescriber reviews your questionnaire and confirms your options, all from home.
SmartScripts offers this assessment online from €20 with a fully Irish-regulated prescriber.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Prescription-only medicines must be assessed and prescribed by a registered doctor or prescriber. Prices quoted are indicative for mid-2026 and vary by pharmacy and dose, check current pricing at the point of consultation.
Yes. Wegovy (semaglutide) launched in Ireland in March 2025. It is prescription-only, so a registered prescriber must first confirm you're eligible, generally a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 to 30 with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. As with other weight-loss injections, Wegovy is not currently reimbursed by the HSE for weight management, so most people pay privately.
As a guide for 2026, Wegovy costs roughly €180 per month at the 0.25 mg starter dose, rising to around €300 to €350 at the 2.4 mg maintenance dose, because it's priced by dose and the cost increases as you titrate upward over the first few months. Individual pharmacies set their own dispensing prices, so it's worth comparing.
They share the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but they are not the same product and are not interchangeable. Wegovy is licensed and dosed specifically for weight management (up to a 2.4 mg maintenance dose), while Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes and dosed differently. They come in different pens and at different strengths, and a prescriber will only issue the one that's appropriate and licensed for your situation.
Yes, Wegovy is prescription-only and cannot legally be sold without an assessment by a registered prescriber, who checks your BMI, medical history and whether the medicine is safe for you. You can't buy it over the counter, and you should avoid any website that sells it without a proper assessment, as counterfeit semaglutide pens pose a known risk. The straightforward route is a regulated online doctor service: complete a short medical questionnaire, get reviewed (within ~2 hours), and if you're eligible, receive a prescription, followed by regular reviews as your dose is increased.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is now available on private prescription in Ireland. This guide covers 2026 pricing, who qualifies, the dosing schedule and what weight loss to expect.
Disclaimer: All prescriptions are issued by Irish-registered doctors, subject to clinical suitability. Medication names mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners.
Disclaimer: All medicine names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SmartScripts does not claim any affiliation with or endorsement by the trademark holders.
