Who can get weight loss medication in Denmark?
Adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or a BMI of 27 or more with at least one weight-related disease, can be considered for weight loss medication in Denmark.
| Situation | Can be treated? |
|---|---|
| BMI 30 or more | Yes |
| BMI 27 to 29.9 with a weight-related disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, prediabetes, PCOS, cardiovascular disease) | Yes |
| BMI under 27 | No |
| Pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy | No |
| Previous inflammation of the pancreas, medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2 in the family | No |
| Type 1 diabetes or a serious eating disorder | Requires special assessment, often no |
The doctor always reviews your health, other medication and weight history before anything is prescribed.
These rules come from the product approvals, so they are the same whether you see your own GP or an online clinic. Treatment is not a short course: most people are treated for a year or longer, and the doctor follows you with dose adjustments, follow-up on side effects and a plan for when you reach your goal.
Which weight loss medicines are used in Denmark?
Danish doctors mainly use Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) as weekly injections, and the Wegovy pill is available as a daily tablet since 28 September 2026.
| Medicine | Active substance | How it is taken | Weight loss in the main study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | Semaglutide 2.4 mg | One injection a week | 14.9% after 68 weeks (STEP 1) |
| Mounjaro | Tirzepatide 5 to 15 mg | One injection a week | 15 to 20.9% after 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1) |
| Saxenda | Liraglutide 3 mg | One injection a day | 8.0% after 56 weeks (SCALE) |
| Wegovy pill | Semaglutide 25 mg | One tablet a day | 13.6% after 64 weeks (OASIS 4) |
| Xenical, Mysimba | Orlistat, naltrexone/bupropion | Tablets daily | About 3 to 5% more than placebo |
Group averages; all participants also received diet and exercise advice. Your own result can be higher or lower.
The modern medicines mimic the gut hormone GLP-1 (and, for Mounjaro, also GIP), which slows down how fast the stomach empties and sends fullness signals to the brain. At Recepta the doctor usually chooses between Wegovy and Mounjaro. Ozempic and Rybelsus also contain semaglutide but are only approved for type 2 diabetes and are not used for weight loss at Recepta.
How much weight can you lose with weight loss medication?
On average 8 to 21% of body weight in about a year, depending on the medicine and dose, together with changes in diet and habits.
In STEP 1, people on Wegovy lost 14.9% on average after 68 weeks against 2.4% on placebo, and about two in three lost at least 10%. In SURMOUNT-1, people on Mounjaro lost 15, 19.5 and 20.9% after 72 weeks on 5, 10 and 15 mg, against 3.1% on placebo. In the head-to-head SURMOUNT-5 study, Mounjaro gave about 20% against about 14% for Wegovy over 72 weeks.
These are group averages, not a guarantee. The typical course is clear weight loss in the first 4 to 6 months, which flattens out when you reach the maintenance dose.
How much does weight loss medication cost in Denmark?
The medicine costs DKK 1,284.25 to 2,296.55 per 4 weeks for Wegovy and DKK 1,579.65 to 3,845.60 for Mounjaro, and there is no subsidy.
Prices are the official pharmacy prices for 28 September to 11 October 2026, the same at every Danish pharmacy. The Wegovy pill costs DKK 2,838.20 for 30 tablets of 1.5 mg or 4 mg. See medication prices in Denmark.
The cost has two parts: the clinic and the medicine. At Recepta the consultation is free, the first 4 weeks cost DKK 0, and then the membership is DKK 138 per 4 weeks with a 1-year membership (DKK 1,799 paid yearly) or DKK 199 per 4 weeks with no binding. It covers consultations, the prescription, all renewals and follow-up with your regular doctor. Read what weight loss treatment costs in Denmark.
How do I start weight loss medication online in Denmark?
You take a short test, have a free video consultation with a licensed Danish doctor, and if approved, the e-prescription goes to your own pharmacy.
- Take the test and bookEnter your height, weight and a few health questions on the weight loss page and choose a time, also evenings and weekends. It costs DKK 0. The pages are in Danish, and you log in with MitID.
- Video consultationThe doctor reviews your health, medication and goals and chooses the medicine and starting dose with you. The Danish Patient Safety Authority requires online starts to take place on video.
- E-prescription to your pharmacyIf the doctor approves the treatment, the prescription is sent electronically, often the same day. You collect and pay for the medicine at the pharmacy.
- Follow-upEvery fourth week the doctor adjusts the dose, and you can write to the doctor in the patient portal.
What happens when you stop weight loss medication?
Appetite returns, and without a plan most people regain part of the weight.
In the STEP 1 extension, participants had regained about two thirds of the lost weight one year after stopping. That is not an argument against treatment, but for planning the ending: gradual dose reduction, habits that last and, for some, a lower maintenance dose. You agree this with the doctor long before you stop.
Frequently asked questions
Which weight loss medication is best?
Can I get weight loss medication online in Denmark?
Is weight loss medication subsidised in Denmark?
Should I see my own GP or an online clinic?
Is there a weight loss pill in Denmark?
Can I use Ozempic for weight loss?
Do weight loss pills without a prescription work?
Sources
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989-1002.
- Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(3):205-216.
- Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management (SCALE). New England Journal of Medicine. 2015;373(1):11-22.
- Aronne LJ, Horn DB, le Roux CW, et al. Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). New England Journal of Medicine. 2025;393(1):26-36.
- Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed): Requirements for safe start of weight loss medication in online consultations (video consultation).
- Recepta: pharmacy prices today, price period 28 September to 11 October 2026.
This page is health information and does not replace a medical assessment. Recepta does not sell medicine; prescription medicine is only dispensed after an individual assessment by a doctor and is bought at the pharmacy.