GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss

What Are GLP-1 Medications?

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications are a class of injectable drugs originally developed for type 2 diabetes that have proven remarkably effective for weight loss. These medications mimic a natural hormone your body produces after eating, leading to reduced appetite, increased feelings of fullness, and significant weight loss.

Popular GLP-1 medications:

• Semaglutide: Ozempic (diabetes), Wegovy (weight loss)
• Tirzepatide: Mounjaro (diabetes), Zepbound (weight loss)
• Liraglutide: Victoza (diabetes), Saxenda (weight loss)

Key facts:

• Average weight loss: 15-20% of body weight
• FDA-approved for weight management
• Weekly injections (most)
• Require ongoing use to maintain results
• Prescription only

How GLP-1 Medications Work

The Science Behind GLP-1

GLP-1 is a natural hormone your intestines produce after eating. It:

1. Signals your brain that you’re full
2. Slows stomach emptying (keeps you satisfied longer)
3. Reduces appetite and cravings
4. Helps regulate blood sugar

GLP-1 medications are synthetic versions that last much longer than natural GLP-1 (days vs. minutes), providing sustained appetite suppression and weight loss effects.

Effects on Your Body

Appetite and Satiety:

• Dramatically reduces hunger
• Creates strong feeling of fullness with less food
• Reduces food cravings (especially for high-calorie foods)
• Some describe it as “food noise” going quiet

Stomach and Digestion:

• Slows gastric emptying (food stays in stomach longer)
• Increases satisfaction from smaller portions
• May cause nausea initially (usually improves)

Blood Sugar:

• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Lowers blood sugar (beneficial for pre-diabetes/diabetes)
• Reduces HbA1c

Weight Loss:

• Average 15-20% total body weight loss
• More effective than lifestyle changes alone
• Most weight loss occurs in first 6-12 months

Popular GLP-1 Medications Compared

Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy)

Ozempic:

• FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
• Widely prescribed off-label for weight loss
• Doses: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg weekly

Wegovy:

• FDA-approved specifically for weight loss
• Same medication as Ozempic, higher doses
• Doses: 0.25mg up to 2.4mg weekly

Clinical Results:

• Average weight loss: 15% of body weight (33 lbs if starting at 220 lbs)
• 68-week study: Lost 15.3 kg (33.7 lbs) vs. 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs) placebo
• ~70% of people lose 10%+ of body weight

Administration:

• Once-weekly subcutaneous injection
• Inject in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm

Cost:

• Ozempic: $900-1,000/month without insurance
• Wegovy: $1,300-1,500/month without insurance
• Compounded semaglutide: $200-400/month through telehealth

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound)

Mounjaro:

• FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
• Often prescribed off-label for weight loss
• Doses: 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg weekly

Zepbound:

• FDA-approved for weight loss (newer)
• Same medication as Mounjaro
• Doses: 2.5mg up to 15mg weekly

Clinical Results:

• Average weight loss: 20% of body weight (44 lbs if starting at 220 lbs)
• 72-week study: Lost 20.9 kg (46 lbs) at highest dose
• More effective than semaglutide in head-to-head trials

How it’s different:

• Dual agonist: Activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors
• Generally more weight loss than semaglutide
• Potentially fewer GI side effects

Cost:

• Mounjaro: $1,000-1,100/month without insurance
• Zepbound: $1,000-1,200/month without insurance
• Compounded tirzepatide: $400-600/month through telehealth

Liraglutide (Saxenda)

Older GLP-1 medication:

• Daily injection (not weekly)
• Effective but less convenient
• Average weight loss: 8-9% body weight
• Less popular since semaglutide/tirzepatide available

Comparison Table

Medication	Avg Weight Loss	Injection Frequency	Cost/Month	Notes
Semaglutide (Wegovy)	15% body weight	Weekly	$1,300	Most studied, effective
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)	20% body weight	Weekly	$1,200	Most effective, dual agonist
Liraglutide (Saxenda)	8-9% body weight	Daily	$1,400	Older, less convenient
Compounded versions	Similar	Weekly	$200-600	Affordable option

Who Should Use GLP-1 Medications?

FDA-Approved Criteria

GLP-1s approved for weight loss if you have:

• BMI ≥30 (obese), OR
• BMI ≥27 (overweight) with weight-related health condition:
  • Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Sleep apnea

Best candidates:

• Have tried diet and exercise without success
• Willing to commit to long-term treatment
• Can afford cost (or have insurance coverage)
• Don’t have contraindications

Who Should NOT Use GLP-1s

Contraindications:

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• History of pancreatitis
• Severe gastrointestinal disease
• History of diabetic retinopathy (with caution)

Use caution if:

• History of eating disorders
• Severe depression or suicidal ideation
• Taking other weight loss medications

Starting GLP-1 Medication: What to Expect

Dose Titration Schedule

Semaglutide (Wegovy) typical schedule:

• Month 1: 0.25mg weekly
• Month 2: 0.5mg weekly
• Month 3: 1.0mg weekly
• Month 4: 1.7mg weekly
• Month 5+: 2.4mg weekly (maintenance)

Tirzepatide (Zepbound) typical schedule:

• Month 1: 2.5mg weekly
• Month 2: 5.0mg weekly
• Month 3: 7.5mg weekly
• Month 4: 10mg weekly
• Month 5+: 10-15mg weekly (maintenance)

Why slow titration?

• Reduces side effects (especially nausea)
• Allows body to adjust
• Improves tolerability

Timeline for Results

Week 1-4:

• Reduced appetite noticed immediately
• Less hunger between meals
• May lose 2-5 lbs
• Some nausea possible

Month 2-3:

• Weight loss accelerates
• 1-2 lbs per week typical
• Appetite suppression strong
• Side effects usually improving

Month 4-6:

• Steady weight loss continues
• May lose 10-15% of starting weight
• People start noticing your weight loss
• Energy may improve

Month 6-12:

• Maximum weight loss typically reached
• ~15-20% total body weight lost
• Weight stabilizes
• Continue medication to maintain

Administration Tips

Injection technique:

• Subcutaneous (under skin, not into muscle)
• Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thigh, upper arm)
• Use new needle each time
• Inject same day each week

Reducing side effects:

• Take with food in stomach (can reduce nausea)
• Stay well-hydrated
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid high-fat, greasy foods
• Increase fiber intake to prevent constipation

Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Common Side Effects (Most People Experience These)

Gastrointestinal (Most Common):

• Nausea (most common, usually temporary)
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Bloating and gas
• Heartburn/acid reflux

Management strategies:

• Eat smaller meals
• Avoid fatty, greasy, or spicy foods
• Stay hydrated
• Take anti-nausea medication if prescribed
• Symptoms usually improve after 4-8 weeks

Other Common:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Injection site reactions

Serious Side Effects (Rare but Important)

Seek medical attention if you experience:

Pancreatitis:

• Severe abdominal pain that won’t go away
• Pain radiating to back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stop medication immediately and see doctor

Gallbladder problems:

• Pain in upper right abdomen
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)
• Fever
• Clay-colored stools

Severe allergic reaction:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue
• Severe rash

Kidney problems:

• Dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea can stress kidneys
• Stay well-hydrated

Hypoglycemia (if also on diabetes medications):

• Shakiness, sweating, confusion
• May need to adjust other diabetes medications

Vision changes:

• Diabetic retinopathy worsening (rare)
• Report any vision changes

Long-Term Considerations

“Ozempic face”:

• Rapid weight loss can cause facial volume loss
• Skin may appear saggy
• More noticeable in older individuals
• Not harmful, purely cosmetic

Muscle loss:

• GLP-1s cause fat AND muscle loss
• Resistance training recommended
• Adequate protein intake essential (1g per lb body weight)

Gallstones:

• Rapid weight loss increases gallstone risk
• ~3% develop gallstones

Cost and Insurance Coverage

Brand-Name Medication Costs

Without insurance:

• Wegovy (semaglutide): $1,300-1,500/month
• Zepbound (tirzepatide): $1,000-1,200/month
• Mounjaro: $1,000-1,100/month
• Ozempic: $900-1,000/month

Annual cost: $12,000-18,000

Insurance Coverage

Diabetes indication (Ozempic, Mounjaro):

• Often covered by insurance
• Copays: $25-100/month typically

Weight loss indication (Wegovy, Zepbound):

• Many insurance plans don’t cover weight loss medications
• Medicare doesn’t cover weight loss drugs
• Some commercial plans cover with prior authorization

Prior authorization requirements:

• BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with comorbidities
• Documented weight loss attempts
• Medical necessity letter from doctor

Affordable Alternatives: Compounded GLP-1s Through Telehealth

Best for Affordability: Hims offers compounded semaglutide starting at $199/month with medical consultations, weight loss coaching, and discreet delivery. Great for cost-conscious users who want comprehensive support.

Best Overall Program: Ro provides compounded semaglutide ($145-290/month) and tirzepatide with personalized dosing, ongoing physician support, and nutrition guidance. Ideal if you want structured medical supervision.

Best for Budget: Henry Meds specializes in affordable GLP-1 medications with compounded semaglutide at $297/month including consultations and shipping. Perfect if you want the lowest price with quality care.

Compounded semaglutide details:

• $145-400/month depending on provider and dose
• Same active ingredient as Wegovy/Ozempic
• Made by licensed 503B compounding pharmacies
• Legal due to ongoing Wegovy shortages
• Quality varies by pharmacy

Compounded tirzepatide details:

• $350-600/month typical pricing
• Same active ingredient as Zepbound/Mounjaro
• More effective than semaglutide (20% vs 15% weight loss)

Compare all weight loss services to find the best option for your budget and needs.

Pros:

• Much more affordable than brand-name ($1,000-1,500 savings/month)
• Convenient telehealth delivery
• No insurance hassles or prior authorization
• Ongoing medical support included

Cons:

• Not FDA-approved (though legally compounded)
• Quality control less rigorous than brand-name
• Insurance won’t cover compounded versions
• Long-term supply uncertain if shortages end

Savings Programs

Manufacturer savings cards:

• Wegovy: $500 off with savings card (if eligible)
• Mounjaro: $25 copay savings program
• Check manufacturer websites for current offers

Do You Need to Stay on GLP-1s Forever?

The Reality of Long-Term Use

Most weight regain occurs after stopping:

• Studies show ~70% of weight comes back within a year of stopping
• Appetite returns to pre-treatment levels
• “Food noise” comes back

Why this happens:

• GLP-1s don’t cure obesity—they manage it
• Underlying biology unchanged
• Think of it like blood pressure medication

Current medical thinking:

• Obesity is a chronic disease requiring ongoing treatment
• Most people need long-term or lifelong use
• Similar to diabetes or hypertension medications

Can You Ever Stop?

Some people successfully stop if:

• They’ve established sustainable healthy habits
• Significant lifestyle changes made
• Close monitoring and early intervention if weight returns

Strategies for stopping:

• Very slow tapering (reduce dose gradually over months)
• Aggressive diet and exercise program
• Regular monitoring
• Restart early if weight trends upward

Realistic expectations:

• Most people need ongoing treatment
• Intermittent use may work for some
• Maintenance dose may be lower than weight loss dose

GLP-1s vs. Other Weight Loss Approaches

GLP-1s vs. Diet and Exercise Alone

Diet/Exercise:

• Average weight loss: 5-10% with intensive program
• Difficult to maintain long-term
• ~80% regain weight within 5 years

GLP-1s + Lifestyle:

• Average weight loss: 15-20%
• Better maintenance with continued use
• Makes diet/exercise much easier (reduced appetite)

Conclusion: GLP-1s are significantly more effective, but lifestyle still matters

GLP-1s vs. Other Weight Loss Medications

Phentermine:

• Stimulant, suppresses appetite
• 5-7% weight loss
• Can’t use long-term (tolerance, side effects)

Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion):

• 5-9% weight loss
• Oral medication
• Less effective than GLP-1s

Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate):

• 10-12% weight loss
• Can’t use long-term

GLP-1s are the most effective weight loss medications available.

GLP-1s vs. Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, sleeve):

• Average weight loss: 25-30%
• One-time procedure
• Permanent anatomical change
• Risks of surgery
• Cost: $20,000-30,000
• Often covered by insurance

GLP-1s:

• 15-20% weight loss
• Ongoing medication
• Reversible
• No surgery
• Cost: $12,000-18,000/year
• Often not covered for weight loss

Surgery still more effective for severe obesity (BMI >40).

The Bottom Line

GLP-1 medications are highly effective for weight loss:

• 15-20% body weight loss typical
• Most effective weight loss medications available
• FDA-approved and safe when properly used

Best for:

• BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 with health conditions
• Those who’ve struggled with traditional weight loss
• People willing to commit to long-term use
• Those who can afford cost or have insurance coverage

Considerations:

• Expensive: $1,000-1,500/month brand-name, $200-600/month compounded
• Side effects common (mostly GI, usually temporary)
• Likely need ongoing use (not a cure)
• Require weekly injections
• Not covered by all insurance

Most important: GLP-1s are tools, not magic. They work best combined with healthy lifestyle changes. They make it dramatically easier to eat less and stick to a healthy diet, but they don’t do the work for you.

Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if GLP-1 medications are right for your weight loss goals.

Related Resources

Weight Loss Guides:

• Does Insurance Cover Weight Loss Telehealth?
• How Much Weight Can You Lose on Semaglutide?
• GLP-1 Side Effects Timeline
• Ozempic vs Wegovy Comparison

Service Reviews:

• Hims Review - Affordable semaglutide with coaching
• Ro Review - Comprehensive weight loss programs
• Henry Meds Review - Budget-friendly GLP-1s

Cost Comparisons:

• GLP-1 Insurance Coverage Guide
• 2025 Men’s Telehealth Cost Comparison

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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight loss medication.