Medical weight loss
Semaglutide, tirzepatide and medical weight loss: a global guide
Clear, sourced information on GLP-1 weight loss medicines and medical aesthetics in more than fifty countries: what each medicine is, who regulates it, who can prescribe it, how to avoid fakes and how to choose a clinic safely.
Sources last reviewed by an editor on 2026-11-11.
This is general information about medicines regulation and patient safety, not medical or legal advice. Only a licensed prescriber who knows your health can decide whether a medicine or treatment suits you. Rules and product availability change, so confirm the current position with the official sources linked on this page. MedSpa Listings does not sell, prescribe or supply medicines.
The short version
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription medicines. They help many people eat less by acting on hormones that control appetite, and they are meant to be used with changes to eating, activity and sleep under a prescriber who follows you up.
The rules differ from country to country: which brands are approved, who can prescribe, whether pharmacies may compound copies and how clinics may advertise. Fake pens and so-called research peptides are a real risk worldwide.
Before you start, make sure you know exactly which product you would receive, who prescribed it, which pharmacy supplied it and what the plan is for side effects and for stopping.
Treatment guides
Rules country by country
Who regulates GLP-1 medicines, Botox and fillers, who can prescribe, and how to check a clinic, for each country.
North America, the UK, Ireland, Oceania and Northern and Western Europe
Southern and Central Europe, East Asia and the Gulf
Latin America, Turkey, Southeast Asia, China, South Africa and Eastern Europe
Frequently asked questions
What are semaglutide and tirzepatide?
They are prescription medicines given as weekly injections that act on gut hormone receptors involved in appetite and blood sugar. Semaglutide is sold as Wegovy and Ozempic, and tirzepatide as Zepbound and Mounjaro.
Can I get weight loss injections at a medical spa?
Some medical spas and aesthetic clinics run weight management programs with a licensed prescriber. A good program includes a health assessment, a named prescriber, a licensed pharmacy and follow-up, not just an injection.
Are these medicines approved everywhere?
No. Each country has its own medicines regulator, and the brands that are approved, the uses they are approved for and whether they are on sale differ. The country guides on this page link to each regulator.
How do I avoid fake GLP-1 pens?
Use only a licensed pharmacy with a prescription, avoid social media sellers and products labelled for research use, check the packaging and batch details and report anything suspicious to your medicines regulator.
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