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Home/United Arab Emirates/Blog/Mounjaro vs Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Foundayo: how do they compare in the UAE?
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Mounjaro vs Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Foundayo: how do they compare in the UAE?

What each one is, the head-to-head trial, side effects, injection or tablet, official UAE prices, and what is not on sale here.

GLP Guidebook teamPublished 12 Oct 20268 min read20 sourcesWritten from published sources

Written for the United Arab Emirates. Other country versions are coming.

The short answer

Ozempic is a diabetes medicine. Mounjaro, Wegovy (pen or pill) and Foundayo are approved in the UAE for weight. In the only head-to-head weight trial, people lost 20.2% on Mounjaro and 13.7% on Wegovy over 72 weeks. Side effects are similar in kind. A doctor chooses, based on your health.

Key takeaways

  • In SURMOUNT-5, the only head-to-head weight trial, adults lost 20.2% of their weight on Mounjaro and 13.7% on Wegovy over 72 weeks; Lilly, Mounjaro’s maker, funded it.1
  • Nausea was about as common on both in that trial, 163 of 374 people on Mounjaro and 167 of 376 on Wegovy.2
  • Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same medicine, semaglutide; Daman’s cover rules list Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight.3
  • The UAE approved two weight-loss tablets in 2026: Foundayo (orforglipron) in April and the Wegovy pill in June.4,5
  • Abu Dhabi’s official price for Mounjaro is AED 1,734 for 4 weekly doses at every strength, effective 2 October 2026.6
On this page
  1. How are Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy and Foundayo different?
  2. Which one led to more weight loss in trials?
  3. How do the side effects compare?
  4. How do you take each one?
  5. What does each one cost in the UAE?
  6. Who decides which one is right?
  7. Which versions are not available in the UAE?
  8. Questions people ask
  9. How we researched this

How are Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy and Foundayo different?

Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which acts on a second gut-hormone receptor too. Foundayo is a daily tablet, orforglipron.3,7

Before you go further
  • GLP‑1 medicines are prescription-only in the UAE. They should only be used under medical supervision, with a prescription from a doctor licensed in the UAE.8
  • Label facts here come from the EU label (EMA), the UK label or the US label (FDA), named each time. We could not find the UAE pack leaflets online, so check the leaflet in your own pack.
  • Every risk of these medicines is in Guide 5: Side effects and risks.
  • This post describes labels, rules and trials. It is not a plan for your treatment, and no dose or brand guarantees any result.

All four copy GLP‑1, a hormone your gut releases after you eat. It helps control blood sugar, slows how fast your stomach empties and reduces appetite.3 Tirzepatide also acts on GIP, another gut hormone.3

BrandMedicine insideHow you take itMain use in the UAE
MounjaroTirzepatide: acts on GIP and GLP‑1 receptors3Weekly injection9Type 2 diabetes, and weight9,10
OzempicSemaglutide: acts on GLP‑1 receptors only3Weekly injection11Type 2 diabetes11,3
Wegovy penSemaglutide12Weekly injection12Weight12,3
Wegovy pillSemaglutide5Daily tablet, empty stomach13Weight; approved June 20265
FoundayoOrforglipron: a GLP‑1 medicine made as a tablet7Daily tablet, any time14Weight; approved April 20264,7

Ozempic and Wegovy differ in dose and use, not in the medicine. Daman, the Abu Dhabi insurer, lists Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight.3

Which one led to more weight loss in trials?

In the one head-to-head trial, SURMOUNT-5, weight fell 20.2% on Mounjaro and 13.7% on Wegovy over 72 weeks.1

The trial gave 751 adults with obesity, but without diabetes, the highest dose they could tolerate. It was open-label, so everyone knew which medicine they had, and Lilly funded it.1 Waists shrank 18.4 cm (7.2 in) on Mounjaro and 13.0 cm (5.1 in) on Wegovy.1

For a 100 kg (220 lb) person, 20.2% is about 20 kg and 13.7% about 14 kg. These are averages; some people lose much less.

No trial has put the tablets head to head with the injections, or with each other. Each medicine has its own trial against a dummy treatment (placebo):9,12,13,14

Average weight change against a dummy treatment, in each medicine’s own trial
Separate trials, different people and lengths. Not a ranking.
Mounjaro 15 mg · SURMOUNT-1 · 72 weeks
Medicine−22.5%
Dummy−2.4%
Wegovy pen 2.4 mg · STEP 1 · 68 weeks
Medicine−14.9%
Dummy−2.4%
Wegovy pill 25 mg · OASIS 4 · 64 weeks
Medicine−13.6%
Dummy−2.2%
Foundayo top dose · ATTAIN-1 · 72 weeks
Medicine−12.4%
Dummy−0.9%
Sources: EU Mounjaro and Wegovy labels; UK Wegovy tablets and Foundayo labels. Checked 12 Oct 2026. Ozempic is not in the chart: its trials were in type 2 diabetes, not weight.

How do the side effects compare?

They are the same kind: mostly nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, worst while the dose rises. In SURMOUNT-5, about 44 in 100 people felt sick on each medicine.2,9,12

  • Mounjaro vs Wegovy: vomiting hit 56 of 374 people on Mounjaro (15%) and 80 of 376 on Wegovy (21%). Serious adverse events: 18 of 374 people on Mounjaro, against 13 of 376 on Wegovy.2
  • Wegovy pill: in OASIS 4, about 47 in 100 people on the pill felt sick, against about 19 in 100 on dummy tablets.13
  • Foundayo: in its weight trials, stomach side effects hit 60 to 69 in 100 people on Foundayo, depending on the dose, against 36 in 100 on dummy tablets. Most were mild or moderate.14
RisksThe risks, in brief
  • Stomach effects are very common (more than 1 in 10) on the EU Mounjaro and Wegovy labels.9,12
  • Dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea can harm the kidneys.9
  • Pancreatitis and gallstones are uncommon (1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000) on the EU Mounjaro label.9
  • Low blood sugar is more likely with insulin or a sulphonylurea.9
  • Not in pregnancy. The Wegovy label says stop at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.12
Full detail in Guide 5: Side effects and risks →
Get help now: call 998 for an ambulance, or 999.20 Call for severe stomach pain that won’t go away, or vomiting or diarrhoea that stops you keeping fluids down. Call too for signs of a serious allergy, such as a swollen face or trouble breathing.9,8

How do you take each one?

Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy pens are weekly injections. The Wegovy pill and Foundayo are daily tablets with very different rules.9,12,13,14

  • Wegovy pill: on an empty stomach after at least 8 hours without food, with up to half a glass of water. Then nothing to eat or drink for 30 minutes.13
  • Foundayo: once a day at any time, with no food or water rules.14
  • Missed doses: a weekly Mounjaro dose can be taken within 4 days, Wegovy or Ozempic within 5 days. A missed Wegovy pill is skipped.9,12,11

The tablet rules matter during fasting. Our post on GLP‑1s in Ramadan covers timing around Suhoor and Iftar.

Next readGetting a prescription in the UAE

Guide 6: who can prescribe, what each medicine is approved for, official prices and insurance.

Read Guide 6

What does each one cost in the UAE?

Medicine prices are fixed by the authorities. Mounjaro costs AED 1,734 for 4 weekly doses at every strength; Wegovy and Ozempic cost more as the dose rises.6

Pack (about 1 month)Official price to the public
Mounjaro, 4 weekly dosesAED 1,734 at every strength, 2.5 to 15 mg6
Ozempic pen, 4 weekly dosesAED 743.50 (0.25 or 0.5 mg), 1,146 (1 mg), 1,550 (2 mg)6
Wegovy pen, 4 weekly dosesAED 743.50 (0.25 or 0.5 mg) rising to 1,712 (2.4 mg)6
Wegovy pill, 30 tabletsAED 779 (1.5 or 4 mg), 1,199 (9 mg), 1,610 (25 mg)6
Foundayo, 30 tabletsAED 773 (0.8 or 2.5 mg) rising to 1,599 (14.5 or 17.2 mg)6

Department of Health – Abu Dhabi drug list, “package price to public”, release 26 Sep 2026, effective 2 Oct 2026. Listed in the same order as the rest of this post, not by price.

Most people pay these prices themselves: Gulf News reported in February 2026 that insurance cover is “typically restricted to diabetes or specific metabolic conditions”.15 In Abu Dhabi, Thiqa covers weight medicines only inside its obesity programme, and Foundayo is covered for adults in the emirate’s Personalised Weight Management Programme.3,7

Full price lists and insurance rules: GLP‑1 prices in the UAE and insurance cover.

Who decides which one is right?

Your doctor. Abu Dhabi’s obesity standard says the obesity-certified doctor decides when to start a medicine, after discussing benefits, side effects and monitoring.16

The rules on who can be considered differ by emirate. Abu Dhabi’s standard sets BMI 30 or more with a weight-related condition, or over 40.16 Dubai’s guideline allows BMI over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with a condition, after lifestyle changes alone haven’t worked.17 Our post on Abu Dhabi’s rules explains the difference.

Things a doctor weighs include diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy plans, other medicines, and whether a weekly injection or a daily tablet fits your life.12,9

Which versions are not available in the UAE?

Zepbound, Wegovy 7.2 mg and generic semaglutide were not on Abu Dhabi’s official drug list on 2 October 2026.6

  • Zepbound is the US brand of tirzepatide for weight. In the UAE, tirzepatide is sold as Mounjaro.6
  • Wegovy 7.2 mg: in March 2026, Novo Nordisk said talks with UAE regulators were ongoing, with no timeline.18
  • Retatrutide is not approved. The Emirates Drug Establishment says it “remains under clinical investigation”.19 See why the regulator is cracking down.

Questions people ask

Is Mounjaro stronger than Ozempic?

For weight, the head-to-head trial compared Mounjaro with Wegovy, which is the same medicine as Ozempic at a higher dose. Weight fell 20.2% on Mounjaro and 13.7% on Wegovy over 72 weeks.1

Is Ozempic the same as Wegovy?

Same medicine, semaglutide. Daman lists Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight.3

Is Foundayo as effective as Mounjaro?

They haven’t been compared directly. In its own trial, Foundayo’s top dose gave 12.4% weight loss over 72 weeks, against 0.9% on a dummy tablet.14

Why does Mounjaro cost the same at every dose in the UAE?

The official list sets AED 1,734 for every strength. Wegovy and Ozempic prices rise with the dose.6

Is Zepbound available in the UAE?

No. Tirzepatide is sold in the UAE as Mounjaro; there is no Zepbound on Abu Dhabi’s official drug list.6

Shorter answers: Is Zepbound available in the UAE? and What is Foundayo?

How we researched this

On 12 Oct 2026 we read the EU labels for Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic, the UK labels for Wegovy tablets and Foundayo, Daman’s GLP‑1 cover rules, and Abu Dhabi’s obesity standard and drug list. Trial results come from the labels; SURMOUNT-5 comes from its paper and its posted registry results, already checked for our UK post.

Prices are the official “package price to public” on the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi drug list, effective 2 October 2026, not any seller’s price. We name no pharmacy or clinic, and we don’t rank medicines by price.

Before you move on

  • Ozempic is for diabetes; Mounjaro, Wegovy and Foundayo are approved for weight.
  • One head-to-head trial: Mounjaro 20.2%, Wegovy 13.7%, funded by Lilly.
  • Side effects are similar in kind; tablets have their own daily rules.
  • Prices are fixed nationally; a doctor decides which medicine fits.
Considering it for weightSide effects and risks

More from the UAE blog

AEUnited Arab EmiratesGLP-1 prices in the UAE AEUnited Arab EmiratesWegovy pill in the UAE AEUnited Arab EmiratesFoundayo (orforglipron) in the UAE
About GLP Guidebook

The monthly UAE update

An independent guide to GLP‑1 medicines. We don't sell medicines, take drug-company money or earn clinic commissions. Once a month: UAE approvals, official price changes, insurance rules and safety alerts. How we write

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Sources

  1. Aronne LJ et al. Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). N Engl J Med 2025;393:26–36. Funded by Eli Lilly. PubMed pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05822830 (SURMOUNT-5), posted results: adverse events. clinicaltrials.gov
  3. Daman (National Health Insurance Company). Adjudication guideline: GLP‑1 receptor agonists, version 5, effective 15 January 2023, revised 19 April 2026. PDF damaninsurance.ae
  4. The National. UAE-approved daily weight loss pill (orforglipron) to be made available next month. 4 April 2026. thenationalnews.com
  5. Khaleej Times. UAE approves Wegovy pill for weight loss, cardiovascular risk reduction. 1 June 2026. khaleejtimes.com
  6. Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Drug master list (Drugs.xlsx), release 26 September 2026, effective 2 October 2026: "Package Price to Public" for each registered pack, in dirhams. Downloaded 12 October 2026. XLSX shafafiyaportal.doh.gov.ae
  7. Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi expands access to innovative daily oral obesity treatment (Foundayo covered for adults eligible for the Personalised Weight Management Programme). News release, April 2026. doh.gov.ae
  8. Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Circular 48/2026, 16 March 2026: alert on fake GLP‑1 products. GLP‑1 medicines "are prescription-only medicines and should only be used under medical supervision"; unregistered products are sold online and on social media; reports to the DoH pharmacovigilance team at [email protected]. Summarised, not reproduced, as the circular asks. PDF doh.gov.ae
  9. European Medicines Agency. Mounjaro (tirzepatide): EU summary of product characteristics and package leaflet (EU label), sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.8, 5.1, 6.3, 6.4. PDF ema.europa.eu
  10. Dubai Health Authority. Ejada KPIs and Recommendations: Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, issued 3 September 2024 ("The BMI cut-offs vary in individuals of different ethnicities"; measures use BMI 25 and 30). PDF isahd.ae
  11. European Medicines Agency. Ozempic (semaglutide): EU summary of product characteristics and package leaflet, sections 4.1, 4.2, 6.3, 6.4. PDF ema.europa.eu
  12. European Medicines Agency. Wegovy (semaglutide injection and tablets): EU summary of product characteristics and package leaflet, sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.8, 5.1, 6.3, 6.4. PDF ema.europa.eu
  13. Novo Nordisk. Wegovy tablets (oral semaglutide): UK summary of product characteristics, first authorised 11 June 2026, revised 06/2026, sections 4.2, 5.1, 6.4. medicines.org.uk
  14. Eli Lilly. Foundayo (orforglipron) film-coated tablets: UK summary of product characteristics, first authorised 10 August 2026, sections 4.2, 4.8, 5.1, 6.4. medicines.org.uk
  15. Gulf News. Anti-obesity drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro: are they getting cheaper? 7 February 2026. gulfnews.com
  16. Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Standard for Non-Surgical Management of Obesity, DOH/ST/HPS/Non-Surgical-MO/V1/2025, published February 2025. Sections 3.3–3.4, 4.1 and Appendix 4. PDF doh.gov.ae
  17. Dubai Health Authority. Clinical Guidelines for Virtual Management of Obesity, DHA/HRS/HPSD/CG-53, issue 2, effective 21 April 2024. PDF dha.gov.ae
  18. Gulf News. Higher maintenance dose of weight-loss drug Wegovy approved in EU. When will UAE get it? 2 March 2026. gulfnews.com
  19. Gulf News. UAE weight-loss drug crackdown: 71 sources, 14 influencers face action (Emirates Drug Establishment). 25 July 2026. gulfnews.com
  20. Department of Digital Ajman. Handling emergencies: 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 civil defence; Ministry of Health and Prevention hotline 80011111 for fake or harmful medicines. Checked 12 October 2026. ajman.ae

Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Next review due 12 Apr 2027 · Report an error

How this post was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above. It's general information, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. How we write