Choose from a growing list of licensed, board-certified providers.
Have an appointment in as little as 24 hours.
Excellent
based on 0 reviews
HSA and FSA accepted; no insurance needed.
GLP-1 weight loss
In a clinical trial review, more than half of the people taking a GLP-1 medication for weight loss shed at least 5% of their starting body weight. If you weigh 250 pounds, that’s a loss of at least 12.5 pounds, potentially more!
Interested in GLP-1 weight loss? Find a weight loss specialist on Klarity and have an appointment in as little as 24 hours. And if GLP-1 medication is right for you, get a prescription.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Sheelu Bhatnagar
What are GLP-1 drugs for weight loss?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are a class of medication that includes popular brand-name drugs.
Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) are GLP-1 drugs U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for chronic weight management in people with obesity or overweight.
Ozempic (semaglutide), Rybelsus (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide) are FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists. They work similarly to GLP-1 drugs, but the added effect on GIP receptors leads to greater weight loss according to clinical trial data.
Learn more about GLP-1 agonist medications and dual agonists.
How GLP-1s work for weight loss?
GLP-1 medications mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone released by your intestines after you eat. It stimulates your pancreas to release insulin while reducing glucagon secretion, lowering your blood sugar. GLP-1 works for weight loss by delaying food from leaving your stomach. That makes you feel full for longer.
Put simply, when you use a GLP-1 medication, eat a low-calorie diet, and exercise more, you get improved blood sugar control and reduced appetite, so you eat less and lose weight.
In clinical trials for the GLP-1 weight loss drug Wegovy, people lost up to 14.9% of their body weight in 68 weeks. Participants in a similar trial for Saxenda lost up to 10% of their body weight in 56 weeks.
Learn more about how GLP-1 works for weight loss.
Who can take GLP-1 medications?
You can take a GLP-1 medication if you meet the FDA-approved criteria for its use. Some GLP-1 drugs are approved for weight loss or weight management. Others are approved to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Brand-names drugs Wegovy and Saxenda are FDA-approved for weight loss if you:
— Have obesity, meaning a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.
— Are overweight with a BMI of 27 or more and at least 1 weight-related health problem, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes.
— Are a child aged 12 or older with obesity based on weight and BMI.
If you take a GLP-1 medication, you should also eat a reduced-calorie diet and be more active.
How to get a GLP-1 weight loss prescription online
To get a GLP-1 weight loss medication, you need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Prescribing providers include physicians (MDs), physician assistants/associates (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs).
You can find a board-certified, licensed provider to discuss a medical weight loss program that may include drugs, like GLP-1 medications, on Klarity and have an appointment in as little as 24 hours.
If you’re prescribed medication, your provider can send your prescription to your pharmacy of choice, including online pharmacies that ship directly to your door.
Note that there have been supply shortages for GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Victoza. Before you start a GLP-1 drug, talk to your provider and check the FDA drug shortages database for current status (Tip: search for the medication’s active ingredient).
Learn more about how to qualify for Ozempic or get prior authorization for Wegovy.
How to use GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and their dosages
Most GLP-1 medications are injectables that come in prefilled single-use pens. The exception is Rybelsus, which is a pill. Injectable GLP-1 drugs are taken daily (Saxenda) or once a week (Wegovy). You use the pen to inject yourself under the skin, usually in your belly, upper thigh, or in the back of your arm.
These medications come in multiple doses, so different pens are available with various dosages. For example, Wegovy comes in .25-, .50-, 1.0-, 1.7-, and 2.4-milligram doses, each in a different pen.
When starting an injectable GLP-1 medication, you take the lowest dose available. This helps reduce side effects and gives your body time to adjust to the medication. After 1 or 4 weeks, your provider will prescribe the next higher dose. You continue increasing every 1 or 4 weeks until you reach your maintenance dose or the maximum dose available.
Dual GLP-1/GIP agonist drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound are dosed similarly.
Clinical studies show that people tend to lose more weight on higher doses of GLP-1 drugs. But, if you struggle to tolerate these dosages, your healthcare provider may have you use a smaller maintenance dose.
Learn more about Saxenda and Wegovy doses.
GLP-1 weight loss medication side effects and warnings
The most common side effects of GLP-1 medications are gastrointestinal, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and tend to go away within a few weeks of starting the medication or increasing your dose.
Dual GLP-1/GIP agonists, like Mounjaro and Zepbound, have similar side effects.
Your healthcare provider can help you navigate the side effects of GLP-1 medications.
Learn more about Wegovy side effects and the side effects of Ozempic for weight loss.
What do GLP-1 weight loss medications cost?
Injectable GLP-1 weight loss medications are expensive. The average retail price, which is the price the pharmacy charges you without insurance, is more than $1,000 for a 1-month supply of any dose. The only exception is Victoza, which retails for $582 for a 1-month supply, according to drugs.com and with its discount card.
Dual receptor agonists Mounjaro and Zepbound also retail for around, or more than, $1,000 for a 1-month supply.
If you have insurance that covers your medication, you could get a 1-month supply for free or at a discount with savings cards from the manufacturer, such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Savings Card. You can also save on GLP-1 medications with coupons from prescription discount sites like GoodRx, drugs.com, SingleCareRx, Optum Perks, and others.
Learn how to get Wegovy for less or get Zepbound for $25.
How do GLP-1 medications compare to other weight loss medications?
You can lose more weight on GLP-1 medications than other weight loss drugs. And some GLP-1 medications result in more weight loss than others.
Clinical trials found that people lose more weight on GLP-1 med Wegovy, than Saxenda and other weight loss drugs, like Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate), Contrave (bupropion-naltrexone), Adipex-P (phentermine), and Xenical (Orlistat). In trials, people lost more on dual GLP-1/GIP agonists, like Zepbound, than Wegovy.
Talk to your healthcare provider to find out which medication, if any, is right for your health and weight loss needs. You can find a provider on Klarity today and have an appointment in as little as 24 hours.
On Klarity, you’re in good company
Read through stories from real patients who received treatment from healthcare providers on Klarity.
How it works
Choose the right provider for you
Providers on Klarity are licensed, board-certified, and offer a personalized approach to your unique weight-loss needs. See detailed profiles for each provider and find an approach that’s best for you. (Costs for treatment options may vary.)
Have your initial patient visit
Your journey to losing weight starts with an initial consultation Your provider will go over your goals and medical history to recommend a program that’s right for you and may or may not include prescription medication.
Work with your provider on your progress
Your initial consultation is just the beginning. You and your provider will follow up to make sure you’re doing okay and that you’re reaching your goals. You stay on track with easy medication refills and ongoing support from your provider.
Get constant support from Klarity
If you have questions or need assistance, the Klarity Patient Support team is here to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support throughout your weight loss journey.
Why choose a provider on Klarity?
FAQs about GLP-1 agonists
Learn more about GLP-1 and weight loss medication
Sources
Cardiovascular Diabetology, Reduction of prevalence of patients meeting the criteria for metabolic syndrome with tirzepatide: a post hoc analysis from the SURPASS Clinical Trial Program, Stephen J. Nicholls et al., Feb. 2024, https://cardiab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12933-024-02147-9
DailyMed, Label: Mounjaro- tirzepatide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=d2d7da5d-ad07-4228-955f-cf7e355c8cc0
DailyMed, Label: Ozempic-semaglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79
DailyMed, Label: Saxenda- liraglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3946d389-0926-4f77-a708-0acb8153b143
DailyMed, Label: Trulicity- dulaglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=463050bd-2b1c-40f5-b3c3-0a04bb433309
DailyMed, Label: Victoza- liraglutide injection, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5a9ef4ea-c76a-4d34-a604-27c5b505f5a4
DailyMed, Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b
DailyMed, Label: Zepbound- tirzepatide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b
drugs.com, Mounjaro Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/mounjaro
drugs.com, Ozempic Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/ozempic
drugs.com, Saxenda Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/saxenda
drugs.com, Trulicity Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/trulicity
drugs.com, Victoza Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/victoza
drugs.com, Wegovy Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/wegovy
drugs.com, Zepbound Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/zepbound
JAMA Network, Continued Treatment with Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults with Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial, Louis J. Aronne, MD, et.al., Dec. 2023, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2812936
Journal of Diabetes Investigation, GIP and GLP-1, the two incretin hormones: Similarities and differences, Yutaka Seino et al., Apr. 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4020673/
The New England Journal of Medicine, A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management, Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, et al., Jul. 2015, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1411892
The New England Journal of Medicine, Once-weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, John P.H. Wilding, DM, et al., Feb. 2021, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
Obesity Medicine, Effects of GLP-1 Agonists on Proportion of Weight Loss in Obesity With or Without Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Kia Vosoughi, et al., Oct. 2022, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2451847622000689
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Drug Shortages List, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Exclusivity and Generic Drugs: What Does It Mean?, https://www.fda.gov/files/drugs/published/Exclusivity-and-Generic-Drugs–What-Does-It-Mean-.pdf
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Everyone’s weight loss journey is unique and results will vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.
How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.
All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide any medical services.
Phone:
Fax:
(855) 975-3008
PO Box 5098 Redwood City, CA 94063
100 Broadway Street, Redwood City CA, 94063
Featured conditions
Weight loss
ADHD
Anxiety
POPULAR TREATMENT
RESOURCE
All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide any medical services.
If you’re having an emergency or in emotional distress, here are some resources for immediate help: Emergency: Call 911. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 988. Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 741-741
Phone:
Fax:
(855) 975-3008
PO Box 5098 Redwood City, CA 94063
100 Broadway Street, Redwood City CA, 94063
If you’re having an emergency or in emotional distress, here are some resources for immediate help: Emergency: Call 911. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 988. Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 741-741
© 2024 Klarity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
