PeptideDeepDive
GLP-1 Medicines Compared in Europe (2026): Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide & More
This Europe-focused GLP-1 medicines comparison covers semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide and retatrutide. It explains how they differ, which products are approved and why research-market copies are not equivalent.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while tirzepatide acts at both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Liraglutide and dulaglutide are established GLP-1 medicines, while retatrutide remains investigational. In the UK and EU, approval applies to specific named medicines and indications—not to research-labelled copies sold online.
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The Short Answer
GLP-1 receptor agonists are peptide-based medicines first developed for type 2 diabetes. Today, some products also have approval for weight management. However, approval applies to a named product, dose form and use. It does not apply to every substance sold online with the same active ingredient.
GLP-1 medicines also differ from BPC-157 UK/EU legal status and approval, TB-500 and the compounds in our recovery peptide comparison . Approved products have completed large trials and use regulated supply chains. By contrast, research-market products do not inherit that evidence or approval. Our approved medicines vs research compounds guide explains the distinction.
How GLP-1 Peptides Work
GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a natural gut hormone. It helps the body release insulin after food. It can also slow stomach emptying and affect signals linked to appetite. GLP-1 receptor agonists copy parts of this action but last much longer than the body’s own hormone.
However, not every medicine on this page acts in the same way. Semaglutide, liraglutide and dulaglutide act at the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide acts at both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Meanwhile, retatrutide is being studied at three targets: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors.
Semaglutide, Tirzepatide & More, Compared
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Ozempic and Rybelsus have approval for defined type 2 diabetes uses, while Wegovy has approval for weight management in eligible groups. In June 2026, the MHRA also authorised a Wegovy tablet for weight management in the UK. However, NHS access follows a separate review process. See our semaglutide evidence and approval guide for more detail.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. Mounjaro has authorised uses for type 2 diabetes and weight management in Europe. In the US, the weight-management brand is Zepbound. Although trial results have attracted wide attention, readers should compare like-for-like groups, trial lengths and doses. See our tirzepatide evidence and approval guide for the dedicated overview.
Liraglutide
Liraglutide is an earlier GLP-1 receptor agonist. Unlike the main weekly products above, liraglutide products use daily dosing. Victoza has approval for defined type 2 diabetes uses, while Saxenda has approval for weight management in eligible groups.
Dulaglutide
Dulaglutide is a weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist. Trulicity has approval for type 2 diabetes, including use in some younger patients. However, its EU authorisation does not list weight management as the main use.
Retatrutide
Retatrutide is an investigational triple-receptor agonist. It acts at GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. Phase 3 studies remain under way in 2026. Therefore, retatrutide does not hold FDA, MHRA or EU marketing authorisation and is not an approved prescription medicine. See our retatrutide evidence and approval guide for the dedicated research summary.
How GLP-1 Trials and Safety Monitoring Differ
Approval does not mean a medicine has no risk. Instead, it means a regulator reviewed evidence for a specific product and decided that its benefits outweigh its known risks for a defined use. The product then receives an approved label, which sets out who can use it, common side effects, key warnings and storage rules.
After approval, safety checks continue. For example, the EMA reviews reports of suspected side effects for authorised EU products. The MHRA uses the Yellow Card scheme in the UK. Regulators can then update product information, restrict a use or issue new advice when the evidence changes.
Research-market copies sit outside that product-level approval. Even when a seller names semaglutide or tirzepatide, the regulator has not automatically checked that vial, its strength or its supply chain. Therefore, an approved active ingredient and an unauthorised online product should not share the same trust label.
Approval Status in the UK, Ireland, Germany & EU
Several GLP-1 products hold marketing authorisation in the UK and EU. However, approval does not guarantee that every person can receive a prescription or public funding. Access still depends on the product label, clinical need and national rules.
The MHRA has authorised Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda for defined weight-management uses. NICE then sets separate NHS recommendations and eligibility rules. Access can vary between services. In addition, the MHRA warns against illegal or fake GLP-1 products sold through unregulated websites and social media.
EU-wide authorisations cover approved products in Ireland. However, prescription access and reimbursement depend on the product and Irish health-service rules. Readers should check the authorised product information rather than relying on an online seller’s description.
EU-wide authorisations also apply in Germany. Even so, the approved indication and national funding rules still control access. An EU authorisation does not turn a research-labelled copy into a medicine.
The same central EU authorisations apply in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, access still depends on the approved product, prescription rules and national reimbursement decisions.
Across Europe, the safest check is the product record rather than the molecule name alone. For example, Mounjaro’s EU record names tirzepatide, its approved uses and its safety information. By contrast, a vial sold as “research tirzepatide” is not Mounjaro and does not inherit that authorisation.
How GLP-1 Medicines Differ From Research Peptides
People often use “peptide” as a catch-all term online. In reality, approved GLP-1 medicines and compounds such as BPC-157 do not share the same evidence or legal footing:
- Clinical trials: Approved GLP-1 products rely on large human trial programmes. By contrast, BPC-157 has very little human evidence and no comparable approval file.
- Product approval: Regulators authorise named products for defined uses. They do not approve a molecule in every form sold online.
- Legal supply: Approved GLP-1 medicines require a prescription and regulated dispensing. Research listings do not create a route for personal medical use.
- Quality checks: Licensed medicine makers must meet set standards for identity, strength and purity. A research-use label does not provide the same assurance.
For more detail, see the recovery peptides comparison . It explains where BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, KPV and MOTS-c stand instead.
Approved GLP-1 products have a strong clinical and regulatory base. However, that status does not carry over to unauthorised copies sold outside the approved supply chain. The MHRA has specifically warned about illegal online products.
What’s Still Evolving
- How long-term safety patterns develop as real-world use grows
- Whether retatrutide will complete phase 3 studies and gain approval
- How NHS and EU funding rules will change as demand rises
- How regulators will respond to illegal or fake products sold online
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GLP-1 medicine?
A GLP-1 medicine acts on the glucagon-like peptide-1 pathway. Approved examples include semaglutide, liraglutide and dulaglutide, while tirzepatide acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
Are GLP-1 medicines the same as research peptides like BPC-157?
No. Specific GLP-1 products are approved prescription medicines supported by large clinical programmes and ongoing safety checks. By contrast, BPC-157 has no comparable UK, EU or US marketing authorisation.
Are GLP-1 medicines authorised in the UK and EU?
Several products are authorised for defined uses. Examples include Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda and Trulicity. However, access, funding and eligibility still depend on the product, indication and country.
What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?
Semaglutide acts at the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide acts at both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Each medicine has its own approved products, uses, label and safety information.
Is retatrutide approved in Europe?
No. Retatrutide remains an investigational triple-receptor agonist in phase 3 trials. Therefore, it is not an authorised medicine in the UK or EU as of August 2026.
Bronnen
- European Medicines Agency: Wegovy (semaglutide) EPAR .
- European Medicines Agency: Mounjaro (tirzepatide) EPAR .
- European Medicines Agency: Trulicity (dulaglutide) EPAR .
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency: No summer shortcut for safe weight loss , 24 July 2026.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity .
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Phase 3 retatrutide versus semaglutide study, NCT06260722 .