Facts and Info About GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 drugs are a class of drug that helps people lose weight. These were originally diabetes drugs, but since introduction we have learned that they help people lose weight. Now millions of people have taken them for weight loss. There are some facts about them on this page to help you understand them better, and decide if you’d like to discuss them as part of your care services.
I have a lot of experience with patients using these drugs. That doesn’t mean that I shame people into using these medications, or that I’m not size-inclusive. If you want to read more about my philosophy on weight and weight loss, read “Thoughts about Ozempic and Other Weight Loss Injection Treatments.”
If you’re a patient at Nexus, we’ll go through this information in whatever detail you find most useful, and we’ll figure out what the right option is for you. Different drugs are better or worse for different people, depending on your goals and your unique situation. I’m glad to help you sort through all of this and make some wise choices — this stuff is complicated!
What are the GLP-1 drugs that currently exist?
We’re focusing here on the GLP-1s that are commonly used either exclusively for weight loss, or weight loss in combination with diabetes management.
Liraglutide:
This drug was approved in 2010 for treating diabetes, and in 2014 for treating weight loss.
Victoza: An injectable drug to treat diabetes.
Saxenda: An injectable drug to treat weight loss.
Note that Victoza and Saxenda are exactly the same molecule.
Semaglutide:
This drug was first approved in 2017 for diabetes. In 2021, it received approval for weight loss. Semaglutide is sold under several trade names:
Ozempic: An injectable drug that is approved for diabetes.
Wegovy: an injectable drug that is approved for weight loss.
Rybelsus: An oral drug that is approved for diabetes.
Wegovy pill: An oral drug that is approved for weight loss.
Note that Ozempic and Wegovy are exactly the same molecule. And, Rybelsus and Wegovy pill are the exact same molecule, too.
Tirzepatide:
This drug was approved in 2022 for diabetes, and in 2023 for weight loss. Tirzepatide affects both GLP-1 and also another receptor called GIP, so it has a bit better effectiveness. It is sold under two different trade names:
Mounjaro: An injectable drug that is approved for diabetes.
Zepbound: An injectable drug that is approved for weight loss.
Note that just like the other drugs, tirzepatide is sold under two names that are exactly the same thing.
Retatrutide:
This drug is not approved yet by the FDA, but we expect it to be approved soon. It will be the third commercially-available GLP-1. (Okay, if we are being really pedantic, it’s actually called a “triple agonist,” which means it works on GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. But for our purposes, that’s the same thing.)
Do these drugs work for weight loss?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: The studies looking at these medications showed weight loss of 5-8% with liraglutide, 10-15% with semaglutide, and 15-22.5% for tirzepatide. With each of these drugs, it takes one year or more to attain maximal weight loss. We don’t know yet about retatrutide, but early studies show that 20-24% weight loss is a reasonable expectation.
Do we have good studies on these drugs?
Yes, as a class, we have been using the GLP-1s in practice for 15 years. The injectable drugs are newer, but the principles of their use is the same as the first ones that came out.
Current studies show that GLP-1 receptor agonists can improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, promote substantial weight loss (ranging from 1.5-20 kg depending on the specific drug and dose), reduce cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes, protect kidney function, and may benefit conditions like fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, and heart failure.[1][2][3]
How do the drugs work?
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking natural hormones in your body—mainly GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), and in some cases GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide)—that help regulate appetite. These hormones act on GLP-1 and GIP receptors in the brain and gut to reduce hunger, increase the feeling of fullness, and slow how quickly food leaves your stomach. As a result, most people feel satisfied with smaller portions, have fewer cravings, and naturally eat fewer calories without feeling like they’re constantly dieting.
Cost
How can I pay for these drugs?
If you have diabetes, these drugs are generally covered by insurance.
If you want to lose weight, the drugs sometimes are covered by insurance but usually not. They are expensive — as much as $1000 per month (though often less).
What if insurance doesn’t pay for these?
The pharmaceutical companies that make the name brand drugs offer special pricing for people who have to pay cash. Starter doses of the drugs are usually $150-$250. However, most people need a higher dose of the drug than the starter dose, and then the cash pay price is around $500/month.
What about compounding pharmacies?
Using a set of regulatory pathways, compounding pharmacies are sometimes able to provide generic versions of the injectable forms of the GLP-1 drugs. Locally, I have a compounding pharmacy that I like to use for this. The generic drug is sourced from the U.S, and the pharmacy tests the drug for purity before mixing it up to provide to patients.
The level of scrutiny on the compounding pharmacy is not as high as it is on standard drug factories, so there is some risk in working with compounding pharmacies. That’s why it’s important to use a local compounding pharmacy that we know and have used many times with great success and no problems.
There are other pharmacies that you can find online that will provide these drugs at lower prices. I can help you manage these drugs if you choose to go that route (ordering labwork for you, helping you with dosing, and troubleshooting problems you have). However, I consider them to be higher risk than the local compounding options, since we do not have insight into precisely who they are, where they get their ingredients, or what their standard practices around cleanliness, safety, or efficacy are.
To sum up:
Safest/most reliable: Drug manufacturers (name brand products).
Still safe and reliable: Local compounding pharmacy (generic drug).
Least safe and reliable: Internet compounding pharmacy (generic drug).
Can I get retatrutide now?
As of April 2026, we have seen a few online pharmacies advertising retatrutide — which is the newest GLP-1, and hasn’t received FDA approval yet (see above). I do not advise using this drug yet. For one thing, the studies are not finalized, so we aren’t sure about the results or potential side effects of this drug.
Second, sourcing of this drug is very uncertain — we don’t know who’s making it or what might be in it.
Third, we have really good options that are much more well-known and safer that provide almost as good results as retatrutide (15-22.5% weight loss with tirzepatide vs. 20-25% weight loss with retatrutide). Retatrutide will be available soon, so let’s just wait a bit before we jump to using it.
How about Ozempic HD?
In April 2026, Novo Nordisk began marketing and selling Ozempic in a larger, 1-dose pen size of 7mg. This is a much higher dose than the previously available dose. This is exactly the same drug as Ozempic, except there is more of it per dose. Novo Nordisk’s studies show that weight loss on Ozempic HD might be higher than using the lower doses. Of course with higher doses, there is the risk of higher side effects, too.
If you are already my patient and you’re curious about GLP-1s, let’s schedule an appointment to discuss what’s right for you.
And if you’re not yet my patient, I offer this care as part of primary care services — you don’t have to pay extra to get this care at Nexus. If you’re interested in more information, reach out to us by calling or texting (314) 464-9333, or you can fill out our interest form and we’ll contact you.
REFERENCES
Glucagon-Like Receptor Agonists and Next-Generation Incretin-Based Medications: Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Renal Benefits. Nauck MA, Tuttle KR, Tschöp MH, Blüher M. Lancet (London, England). 2026;:S0140-6736(25)02105-1. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)02105-1.
Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Body Weight and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Individuals With Obesity and Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ansari HUH, Qazi SU, Sajid F, et al. Endocrine Practice : Official Journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. 2024;30(2):160-171. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2023.11.007.
Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists Across All Health Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: An Umbrella Review and Evidence Map of Randomised Controlled Trials. Yeo D, Jo Y, Jeong J, et al. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 2025;. doi:10.1111/dom.7029
