Weight-loss injections in Malaysia: what Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro can and can’t do

What these injections are

The injections people search for, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, belong to a group of medicines that copy gut hormones called GLP-1 (and, for tirzepatide, also GIP). They make you feel full sooner, slow down how quickly the stomach empties, and help control blood sugar. Most are injected once a week with a pre-filled pen.

In Malaysia they are Group B poisons under the Poisons Act 1952. That means they can only be supplied by a registered doctor, or by a pharmacist with a doctor’s prescription. Selling them any other way is an offence.

Which ones are registered in Malaysia?

Every medicine sold legally in Malaysia carries a registration number starting with MAL, listed by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). As of October 2026, the register shows:

Registration can change, so you can always check a product yourself on the NPRA’s QUEST3+ product search.

Who are they for?

More than half of Malaysian adults (54.4%) are overweight or obese, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023. But these medicines are not meant for losing a few kilos before a holiday. The registered labels allow them for adults with:

• a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or
• a BMI of 27 or more with at least one weight-related condition, such as prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea or heart disease.

Malaysia’s Clinical Practice Guidelines on obesity (2023) use lower BMI cut-offs for Asians when defining obesity (27.5 and above). They recommend medicines only alongside diet, physical activity and behaviour change, under a doctor’s supervision.

How much weight do people lose?

In the main clinical trials, adults taking semaglutide 2.4 mg lost about 15% of their body weight on average over 68 weeks, compared with about 2% on placebo. In the tirzepatide trial, average weight loss at the highest dose was about 21% over 72 weeks. Results vary a lot between people, and they depend on staying on treatment and keeping up healthy habits.

The weight tends to come back after stopping. In one study, people regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost within a year of stopping semaglutide. Many doctors therefore treat obesity as a long-term condition, like high blood pressure.

Side effects and safety

Stomach and gut side effects are the most common, especially when starting or increasing the dose. In the semaglutide weight-management trials:

• Nausea: 44% (vs 16% on placebo)
• Diarrhoea: 30%
• Vomiting: 25%
• Constipation: 24%

Less common but important risks include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), gallstones, hair loss and loss of muscle along with fat. They are not for use in pregnancy, and the product information advises stopping them before a planned pregnancy. People with a personal or family history of a rare thyroid cancer (medullary thyroid carcinoma) should not use semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Why “slimming pens” sold online are risky

In August 2026, the Ministry of Health warned the public about “pen kurus” sold online and claiming to contain retatrutide, an experimental medicine that is not approved anywhere in the world. Between January and July 2026, its Pharmacy Enforcement Division carried out 30 raids on weight-loss products, 17 of them involving online sales, and seized goods worth RM477,142. It also took down 209 e-commerce listings.

Pens bought outside a clinic or pharmacy may be fake, unregistered, wrongly stored or the wrong dose. To protect yourself:

• Only get these medicines through a doctor who has assessed you.
• Check the box has a MAL registration number, and look it up on NPRA’s product search.
• Check the hologram security label (FarmaTag) with the FarmaChecker feature in the MyUBAT app.
• Avoid sellers on social media, e-commerce sites and in beauty salons.

What to expect when you see a doctor

A doctor will usually ask about your weight history, eating habits, activity, sleep and other medicines. They will measure your weight, waist and blood pressure, and may arrange blood tests for blood sugar, cholesterol, and liver and kidney function. If a medicine is suitable, it is started at a low dose and increased slowly, with follow-up visits to check side effects and progress.

A good weight-management plan also covers food, movement and sleep, and agrees what success looks like for you. For some people with a very high BMI, the doctor may discuss bariatric surgery.

Where to talk to a doctor about your weight

Any registered GP can assess your weight and health, check for related conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and discuss whether treatment is suitable. Our directory lists GP clinics across Kuala Lumpur and nearby Selangor, with opening hours and directions.

Browse the clinic directory

Frequently asked questions