By Dr. Asnat Raziel, bariatric surgeon specializing in obesity treatment, metabolic health and healthy longevity; Director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Obesity Treatment, Assia Medical, Assuta Ramat HaChayal, Tel Aviv
New weight loss injections in Israel: what is really available today
New weight loss injections in Israel are one of the topics my patients ask about most. Every week brings a headline about a new drug, but only some of these drugs are actually available here. In this article, I will sort things out: which injections Israel has registered, what the health funds cover and what has not arrived yet.
It is important to remember that even the best injection is part of a broader medical treatment that includes nutrition, physical activity and medical follow-up.
Which injections are registered in Israel today
Today, three obesity injections are available in Israel. All of them belong to the GLP-1 family, named after a gut hormone that increases fullness and slows stomach emptying.
Wegovy
Wegovy contains semaglutide at doses of up to 2.4 mg, in one injection a week. In the STEP 1 trial, participants lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight after 68 weeks, compared with 2.4% on placebo. In addition, in the SELECT trial, among people with heart disease and overweight but without diabetes, treatment cut the risk of serious cardiovascular events by 20%. I wrote about this in detail in my article on the SELECT trial and heart protection.
Mounjaro
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Israel has approved it for type 2 diabetes and for obesity, from age 18. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants lost 15.0%, 19.5% and 20.9% of their body weight after 72 weeks at doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg, compared with 3.1% on placebo. You will find more details in my complete guide to Mounjaro.
Mounjaro first reached Israeli pharmacies in September 2024, as Ynetnews reported in its story on the new injection coming to Israel.
Saxenda
Saxenda contains liraglutide, in a daily injection. It is the oldest drug in the group, and it entered the Israeli market about ten years ago. In the SCALE trial, participants lost an average of 8.4 kg after 56 weeks, compared with 2.8 kg on placebo. According to media reports, its supply in Israel has been limited since the newer drugs arrived.
Weight loss injections in Israel: what the health funds cover
For the first time, Israel’s national health basket includes an obesity drug: Wegovy for adolescents. However, the basket committee did not add Wegovy and Mounjaro for adults, mainly because of their high cost. At Maccabi, for example, 12- to 17-year-olds are eligible for Wegovy under several conditions: a BMI of 30 or more, a weight of at least 60 kg and follow-up by a specialist and a dietitian. The co-payment is 15% of the drug’s price. You can read more about teen obesity treatment in a separate article.
Adults receive the injections through the supplementary insurance offered by the health funds (HMOs). According to Maccabi’s eligibility page, members of Maccabi Gold and Maccabi Sheli pay 51% of the price of Wegovy, and between 442 and 927 shekels for Mounjaro, depending on the dose. Eligibility starts after three months of membership in the supplementary plan. Similarly, at Clalit, Leumit and Meuhedet, the health funds provide Wegovy and Mounjaro through supplementary insurance at a discount of about 50%. Each fund publishes its prices on its website, and each fund has its own eligibility rules.
The monthly cost can reach hundreds of shekels, so it is worth planning for it in advance, like any fixed expense. It is also a good idea to check the current price with your health fund before starting treatment.
New weight loss injections in Israel: what is still on the way
Some of the drugs in the headlines have not reached Israel yet. The FDA approved high-dose Wegovy, 7.2 mg, in March 2026. However, according to an Israeli press report from that month, this dose should reach Israel only in 2027. Likewise, CagriSema, which combines semaglutide with an amylin analog, is still awaiting an FDA decision.
In the world of pills, on the other hand, there is real news. Lilly’s Foundayo pill reached Israeli pharmacies in mid-September, according to reports, for private purchase. I wrote about it in my article on Foundayo in Israel. In addition, since November 2026, the Wegovy pill has also been available in Israel through Form 29C, the Ministry of Health pathway for a medication not yet registered here. If you want to know about all the drugs on the way, including retatrutide, you can read the full global overview.
Who the injections are for
According to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the injections target adults with a BMI of 30 or more. They also suit people with a BMI of 27 or more and a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. However, they are not suitable for people who have, or whose family members have, medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2 syndrome. In addition, do not use them during pregnancy or when planning a pregnancy.
The common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting, mainly while the dose is being increased. Beyond weight loss, many people also notice less food noise, the constant thoughts about food. Finally, the drug works well when combined with a healthy lifestyle, with enough protein and strength training to preserve muscle.
Weight loss injections in Israel: beware of fakes
High demand has created a market for counterfeit injections and unapproved compounds. So buy injections only with a doctor’s prescription, and only at a licensed pharmacy. Do not order “semaglutide” or “tirzepatide” from websites or social media groups.
An online search brings up countless results, but a high Google ranking is no guarantee of reliability. It is also worth distinguishing between weight loss injections and local treatments, such as fat-dissolving injections, which are not a treatment for obesity.
Bottom line
Three obesity injections are available in Israel today: Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda. The health basket includes only Wegovy for adolescents, while adults get a discount through supplementary insurance. High-dose Wegovy and CagriSema have not arrived yet. Ultimately, you choose the right injection according to your weight, other medical conditions and budget, so it is best to decide together with a doctor who knows the field.
The information in this article is general and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
Questions and answers
Are new weight loss injections in Israel included in the health basket?
Only partly. The basket includes Wegovy for adolescents, under several conditions. Adults get a discount through their health fund’s supplementary insurance.
How much do new weight loss injections in Israel cost?
The price depends on the health fund and the dose. At Maccabi Gold and Sheli, for example, Mounjaro costs between 442 and 927 shekels, and Wegovy comes with a co-payment of 51% of the price.
What is the difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro?
Wegovy acts on one receptor, GLP-1. Mounjaro acts on two receptors, GLP-1 and GIP, and in the trials that tested each drug separately, its average weight loss was greater than with Wegovy.
When do you stop a treatment that isn’t working?
According to NIDDK, if weight loss is less than 5% after 12 weeks at the full dose, your doctor will consider switching treatment.
References
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes
Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management
