GLP-1 medications, explained

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone your gut releases after a meal. It tells your pancreas to release insulin, tells your liver to ease off glucose production, and tells your brain you're full. GLP-1 receptor agonists are synthetic molecules that mimic this hormone — only stronger and longer-lasting.

• Semaglutide — sold as Ozempic (diabetes) and Wegovy (weight loss). Weekly injection.
• Tirzepatide — sold as Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (weight loss). Dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, weekly injection.
• Liraglutide — sold as Saxenda. Daily injection, older generation.
• Compounded versions — semaglutide and tirzepatide prepared by 503A/503B pharmacies during the FDA shortage. Lower cost, but quality varies by source.

Most people lose 5–15% of body weight on semaglutide and 15–22% on tirzepatide over 12+ months. Effects begin within the first 4–8 weeks as appetite drops. Side effects (nausea, constipation, fatigue) are common at first and usually fade as your body adapts and your clinician escalates the dose carefully.

If you have commercial insurance that covers Wegovy or Zepbound, brand-name is usually the safer pick. If you don't — or you keep getting denials — compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide can be a lower-cost path, provided you choose a reputable telehealth provider that uses a licensed 503A/503B pharmacy.

Programs like Ro Body and Mochi Health excel at navigating insurance for brand-name medication. Programs like Medvi and TrimRX specialize in transparent, all-in compounded pricing.

• Programs that prescribe without any clinician interaction.
• Suspiciously low pricing (under ~$150/mo all-in) — quality compounding isn't that cheap.
• No published pharmacy partners.
• Aggressive marketing claims of guaranteed pound loss.