What do you need to know before starting weight-loss medication in 2026?

Before you start weight loss medication in 2026, it is important to know that this is not an independent decision that you take without medical supervision. Weight loss medication, and particularly GLP-1 medication, can contribute to weight loss in people who meet specific medical criteria. Not everyone is eligible, side effects are real, and the process requires more than just a prescription. The questions below provide a clear picture of what you can expect.

What types of waste medication are available in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, several types of medication are available that can contribute to weight loss, but the most relevant category for people with overweight or obesity is GLP-1 medication. These are prescription-only medicines that are prescribed exclusively after medical assessment. Other categories, such as fat absorption inhibitors, also exist, but are used less frequently in modern treatment programmes.

GLP-1 medication has come under the spotlight in recent years, partly because its efficacy in people with an elevated BMI is well documented in medical literature. Alongside GLP-1 drugs, there are also combination products and older generations of weight-loss medication, but these are prescribed less frequently in Dutch practice due to a less favourable side-effect profile.

Important to know: weight loss medication is always prescription-only in the Netherlands. You cannot just buy this without the intervention of a doctor.

How does GLP-1 medication work in the body?

GLP-1 medication mimics the effect of a hormone naturally produced in the body after eating. This hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1, plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels and the feeling of satiety. By mimicking this effect, GLP-1 medication helps people experience less hunger and feel full sooner.

Specifically, GLP-1 medication works via three mechanisms:

• Delayed gastric emptying: Food leaves the stomach more slowly, meaning the feeling of fullness lasts longer.
• Appetite suppressant the medicine affects signals in the brain that regulate hunger.
• Blood sugar regulation: Insulin release is stimulated when blood sugar levels rise, which limits fluctuations.

The consequence is that people typically consume fewer calories without this being accompanied by a constant feeling of hunger. However, results vary per person and depend partly on lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.

Who is waste medication suitable for and who is it not suitable for?

Weight-loss medication is generally suitable for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or for people with a BMI of 27 or higher in combination with weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. A doctor always assesses on an individual basis whether a treatment is medically justified.

There are also situations in which waste medication is not appropriate or is even contraindicated. A physician will assess this based on medical history, but in general the following points for attention apply:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Certain thyroid disorders or a family history of thyroid cancer
• Severe stomach or bowel problems
• Use of certain other medications that may cause interactions
• History of eating disorders

This is not an exhaustive list. Only a doctor can determine, based on a complete medical picture, whether weight-loss medication is suitable for a specific person. Self-diagnosis or self-medication is not responsible in this case.

What are the most common side effects of weight-loss medication?

The most common side effects of GLP-1 medication are gastrointestinal complaints. Think of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. These complaints occur mainly in the initial phase of treatment and subside in many people as the body gets used to the medication.

Besides gastrointestinal complaints, there are less common side effects that can be more serious in nature:

• Fatigue or dizziness, particularly in the event of low blood sugar levels
• Headache
• Injection site reactions to injectable formulations
• In rare cases, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

It is important to discuss side effects with the treating doctor, especially if they persist or worsen. A doctor can adjust the dosage or assess whether the treatment can be continued.

How does an online medical pathway for weight-loss medication work?

An online weight-loss medication programme always begins with a medical intake. The patient completes a questionnaire regarding their health, medication use and lifestyle. Based on this information, a GMC-registered doctor assesses whether treatment is appropriate and medically sound. A prescription is only issued after approval.

The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Completing medical questionnaire comprehensive questions about health, weight, medication use and objectives.
2. Artsbeoordeling: A doctor assesses the answers and determines which treatment might be suitable.
3. Selection and payment: The patient chooses a preference and pays in advance.
4. Prescription and pharmacy: Upon approval, the doctor issues a prescription, which is forwarded to a cooperating pharmacy.
5. Delivery: the pharmacy processes the delivery and sends the medication discreetly.

Not everyone who starts an intake is automatically eligible. The doctor makes an independent decision. More information about this process can be found on the page how the trajectory works.

How much does waste medication cost and what is included in the price?

The cost of waste medication in the Netherlands varies depending on the type of medication, the dosage and the duration of the treatment plan. It is important to understand that a treatment is not a one-off purchase, but a multi-month process. The price typically includes the medication itself, the doctor's assessment and the support provided throughout the process.

With online providers, it is usual for the price to be communicated transparently in advance. When comparing options, pay attention to what is exactly included:

• Is the medical intake and doctor's assessment included?
• Are recurring deliveries possible via a subscription?
• Is there a refund policy if the treatment cannot be continued?
• Who is responsible for the medical supervision during the process?

Health insurance policies do not cover weight-loss medication in most cases, unless there is a specific medical indication and the treatment takes place via regular care. Always check this with your own insurer.

How Wellumo helps with medication waste

Wellumo offers a fully online pathway for people who want to explore whether weight-loss medication is right for them. The platform has been set up for people who want to start a medical intake discreetly and without barriers, guided by BIG-registered doctors.

This is what the process via Wellumo involves:

• Online medical assessment an extensive questionnaire that forms the basis for the medical practitioner assessment.
• Assessment by a BIG-registered doctor: within 24 hours on working days after completing the intake.
• Transparent pricing information: Costs are clearly communicated upfront, with no hidden fees.
• Discreet delivery Medication will be delivered discreetly to your home after approval by the pharmacy.
• Recurring deliveries via subscription: optional, for people who want to continue an ongoing process.
• 45-day refund policy: applicable to selected treatment pathways, under the conditions set out in the terms and conditions.

Results vary per person and not everyone is eligible. A doctor always independently assesses whether a treatment is medically sound. Want to know if a course of treatment is suitable for you? Then start the Medical intake of neem Contact us Contact Wellumo for more information.