Medications

A clear guide to GLP-1 medications

Written by a physician, not a marketing team. The goal here is to
give you enough real information to have a meaningful conversation
about what may be right for your situation.

GLP-1 medication guidance and treatment options

What GLP-1 medications actually do

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone naturally
produced in the gut after eating. It helps regulate blood sugar,
slows gastric emptying, and signals to the brain that you have
eaten enough.

GLP-1 receptor agonist medications mimic this hormone’s action at
a sustained level, which can significantly reduce appetite, improve
blood sugar control, and in many patients, support meaningful and
sustained weight loss.

These medications work at the level of biology, not willpower.
For the right patient, that distinction matters enormously.

Currently available FDA-approved options

An educational overview, not a prescribing recommendation.
Indications and availability evolve; consult a physician for guidance
on your situation.

Semaglutide
Wegovy / Ozempic

Weekly injection

Mechanism
GLP-1 receptor agonist

FDA Indications
Wegovy: Chronic weight management.
Ozempic: Type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular risk
reduction.

Clinical Notes
Most studied GLP-1 agent for weight management. Extensive
long-term safety and efficacy data. The benchmark most other
agents are compared against.

Most studied for weight

Oral Semaglutide
Rybelsus / oral Wegovy

Daily oral tablet

Mechanism
GLP-1 receptor agonist

FDA Indications
Rybelsus: Type 2 diabetes.
Oral Wegovy: Chronic weight management
(newer approval pathway).

Clinical Notes
No injections required. Must be taken fasting, 30 minutes
before anything else in the morning. Absorption is more
variable than injectable forms. Likely to become one of the
most popular options as access expands.

No injection option

Tirzepatide
Zepbound / Mounjaro

Weekly injection

Mechanism
Dual GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist

FDA Indications
Zepbound: Chronic weight management;
obstructive sleep apnea.
Mounjaro: Type 2 diabetes.

Clinical Notes
Dual mechanism targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Clinical
trials show among the highest average weight loss of any
approved agent in this class. Head-to-head data vs.
semaglutide shows greater average loss, though individual
responses vary.

Highest avg. weight loss in trials

Liraglutide
Saxenda / Victoza

Daily injection

Mechanism
GLP-1 receptor agonist

FDA Indications
Saxenda: Chronic weight management.
Victoza: Type 2 diabetes.

Clinical Notes
An established, older agent in the class. Requires daily
injection rather than weekly. Generally produces less weight
loss than weekly semaglutide or tirzepatide in clinical
comparisons. Less commonly initiated for new patients given
newer options.

Established, daily dosing

Dulaglutide
Trulicity

Weekly injection

Mechanism
GLP-1 receptor agonist

FDA Indications
Type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular risk reduction.

Clinical Notes
FDA-approved for diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction.
Not currently approved for chronic weight management as a
primary indication. May be appropriate in specific clinical
contexts.

Diabetes / CV indication

This overview reflects FDA approvals and general clinical positioning
as of early 2026. Indications, availability, and approved uses evolve.
Consult a physician for current guidance on what is appropriate for
your situation.

Injectable vs. oral: what to know

Form factor matters to patients. Here is an honest comparison.

Weekly injection

Semaglutide and tirzepatide injectables

One injection per week using a pen-style auto-injector. Most
patients who were initially reluctant find the process
straightforward after the first dose. More consistent drug levels
in the body compared to oral forms. Strongest clinical trial data
for weight loss outcomes. Widest availability including brand-name
and, in some cases, insurance-covered forms.

Daily oral

Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus / oral Wegovy)

A daily tablet with no injection required. Must be taken fasting,
30 minutes before anything else in the morning. Absorption is more
variable than injectable forms. Clinical weight loss data is
developing, especially for the oral Wegovy formulation. Likely to
become a popular choice as access and approvals continue to expand.
Worth discussing specifically if injections are a barrier for you.

Side effects: what is common, what to watch for

Honesty about side effects is part of a real medical evaluation.
Here is what the evidence shows.

Common, especially early

What most patients experience at some point

Nausea is the most common side effect and usually improves with
dose titration. Vomiting is less frequent and often dose-related.
Diarrhea or constipation, decreased appetite, and fatigue during
early ramp-up are all well-documented and often manageable with
the right support.

Less common, worth knowing

What to be aware of over time

Heartburn or acid reflux, slowed gastric emptying, hair thinning,
and loss of lean mass can occur in some patients. These are part
of why protein intake, strength-focused movement, hydration, and
medication review matter in a thoughtful long-term plan.

Serious but rare

Discuss specifically with your physician

Pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, thyroid C-cell tumor warning
considerations, worsening retinopathy in some patients with
diabetes, and kidney injury in the setting of severe dehydration
deserve specific review before and during treatment.

FDA boxed warning: GLP-1 medications carry a warning
regarding thyroid C-cell tumors based on animal studies. This is a
contraindication for patients with a personal or family history of
medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome. A proper medical
evaluation should review this specifically.

When GLP-1 medications may not be appropriate

A good physician tells you both when something is likely to help and
when it may not be the right fit.

Contraindicated

Situations where these medications are not appropriate

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). Prior serious
hypersensitivity reaction to a GLP-1 medication. History of
pancreatitis in certain clinical contexts. Pregnancy or active
plans for near-term pregnancy.

Needs careful review

Situations requiring individualized evaluation

Multiple concurrent medications with significant GI or absorption
effects. Active or recent eating disorder history. Significant
history of gastroparesis. Severe renal or hepatic impairment.
History of serious cardiovascular events (some medications in
this class may actually be beneficial; evaluation is required to
sort that out).

Medication questions we hear often

How long do I need to take these medications?

This varies by patient and goal. For weight management, most
clinical evidence suggests that weight tends to return when the
medication is stopped, which means long-term treatment is often
part of the plan for patients whose primary goal is sustained
weight loss. Some patients eventually taper successfully. Others
choose to continue indefinitely at a maintenance dose. This is
something to plan and revisit over time, not decide in advance.

What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?

Both contain semaglutide. The difference is in the FDA-approved
indication, dosing range, and how they are labeled and prescribed.
Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes management and
cardiovascular risk reduction. Wegovy is approved for chronic
weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with a
related condition. Wegovy’s approved maximum dose is higher than
Ozempic’s.

Is tirzepatide more effective than semaglutide?

Head-to-head clinical trials suggest tirzepatide produces greater
average weight loss than semaglutide in the populations studied.
Individual results vary considerably. Some patients respond better
to one than the other. Cost, access, insurance coverage, and prior
experience are all factors in the decision, not just the headline
trial numbers.

What about compounded semaglutide?

Compounded semaglutide was widely available during the period when
brand-name semaglutide was on the FDA shortage list. As of early
2026, the FDA has ended the shortage designation, which
significantly changes the legal and regulatory landscape for
compounded versions. We do not currently prescribe compounded
GLP-1 medications. We prescribe FDA-approved brand-name options.

How much does medication cost?

Medication costs depend heavily on your insurance coverage, any
manufacturer savings programs you qualify for, and the pharmacy
you use. Without coverage, brand-name injectables can be expensive,
though manufacturer programs have reduced costs significantly for
commercially insured patients. This is worth discussing during the
consultation. We will help you think through realistic access
options for your situation.

Full Medication Guide

Want the complete picture?

The full GLP-1 Medication Guide goes deeper: every FDA-approved
brand compared side by side, complete dose ladders from introductory
to maintenance, oral versus injectable tradeoffs clearly explained,
and a breakdown of access models and monitoring approaches. If you
are doing thorough research before deciding, this is where to go.


Read the Full Medication Guide


Includes oral Wegovy, dose tables, and access models

Physician-led medication guidance

Questions about which medication fits your situation?

This is exactly what a thorough consultation is for.
Bring your questions. There are no wrong ones.

Book a Consultation

Full Medication Guide

The goal is the right fit, not a predetermined medication.