GLP-1 for Weight Loss: Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways:

• GLP-1s are used for type 2 diabetes, as well as weight loss in people with obesity or overweight with a related health condition.

• GLP-1s include semaglutide (Ozempic^®, Wegovy^®) and liraglutide (Victoza^®, Saxenda^®).

• GLP-1s reduce hunger, curb cravings, and make you feel fuller.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) are a class of medication that includes Ozempic^®, Wegovy^®, and Saxenda^®. Some GLP-1s are diabetes drugs, but you can also take a GLP-1 for weight loss.

Read on for everything you need to know about GLP-1s for weight loss, including how effective they are, the potential side effects, and who can use the medications.

GLP-1s are a class of medication that includes semaglutide (Ozempic^®, Wegovy^®, Rybelsus^®) and liraglutide (Victoza^®, Saxenda^®).

GLP-1s were originally designed as diabetes drugs to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood glucose (blood sugar levels). But when weight loss emerged as a surprising side effect, researchers developed GLP-1s for weight loss.

Now there are GLP-1s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss and long-term weight management. They’re often prescribed alongside healthy eating and exercise.

Some GLP-1s are FDA-approved for diabetes, but healthcare providers sometimes prescribe them off-label for weight loss.

Most GLP-1s are injections — either a daily or weekly injection — but you can also get an oral GLP-1, sold under the brand name Rybelsus^®.

Btw, tirzepatide (Mounjaro^®, Zepbound^®) is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and a GLP-1.

For weight loss, GLP-1s work by:

• Suppressing appetite

• Curbing food cravings

• Increasing fullness (satiety)

• Reducing food noise (ongoing, obsessive thoughts about food)

Together, these effects can help you eat more nutritious foods and avoid overeating, promoting weight loss.

GLP-1 medications do this by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone in the gut. They increase insulin levels and decrease glucagon levels, which lowers blood sugar levels.

The medications also act on parts of the brain that control hunger and cravings. And they slow gastric emptying — how quickly food moves from your stomach to your intestines. This makes you feel fuller for longer.

Besides helping you reach a healthy body weight, GLP-1s have other health benefits. Some GLP-1s can:

• Lower blood pressure

• Reduce fatty liver

• Improve blood lipid disorders (like high cholesterol)

• Treat obstructive sleep apnea

• Reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, like heart attack or stroke, in people with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity

→ Read next: Weight Loss Diet Plans for Men

There are many GLP-1s on the market, including some FDA-approved for weight loss and others prescribed off-label for weight loss.

GLP-1s are effective for weight loss. How much weight you can lose on a GLP-1 depends on:

• The specific medication

• Your dose

• The lifestyle changes you make

• Whether you have any medical conditions

Everyone loses weight at different rates, but here’s some research to give you an idea of the effectiveness of GLP-1s.

A 2021 study found that people who took Wegovy^® and made lifestyle changes lost an average of about 34 pounds over 68 weeks. Those who took a placebo lost an average of around 6 pounds.

A 2022 study found that folks who took 15 mg (milligrams) of Zepbound^® and made lifestyle changes lost an average of roughly 52 pounds over 72 weeks. Those who took a placebo lost an average of about 5 pounds.

Comparing GLP-1s for Weight Loss

The best medication for you will depend on factors like your health, how your body reacts, and your personal preferences. But some might offer more substantial weight loss effects than others.

Research suggests that Wegovy^® is more effective for weight loss than Saxenda^®. And Zepbound^® may be more effective at higher doses than Ozempic^®.

A healthcare provider can help you determine the best GLP-1 for you or whether a different type of weight loss medication is more suitable.

You can use a GLP-1 for weight loss if you have obesity. You might also be eligible if you have overweight and at least one weight-related health condition, such as:

• Heart disease

• Sleep apnea

• Type 2 diabetes

• High cholesterol (dyslipidemia)

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

Healthcare providers often calculate your body mass index (BMI) to determine if you have overweight or obesity.

→ Find out your BMI: The Hims BMI Calculator

GLP-1s are safe for many people, but they can cause side effects.

The most common side effects of GLP-1s include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain

Side effects are usually mild to moderate. They can crop up when you first start a GLP-1 and when your dose increases. But they should improve with time as your body adjusts to the medication.

If side effects are bothering you, let your prescribing healthcare provider know. They may want to lower your dose or keep you on your current dose for longer before increasing it.

There are also potential long-term side effects, but these are rare. They include:

• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

• Gallstones and gallbladder problems

• Kidney injury, when the kidneys stop working properly

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for a GLP-1?

You’re not a good candidate for a GLP-1 if you have: 

• A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

Let your prescribing healthcare provider know about any medical conditions you have and other medications you’re taking. They can make sure you’re a good candidate for GLP-1s.

GLP-1s aren’t your only option if you’re looking into weight loss medications.

Alternatives to a GLP-1 medication for weight loss include:

• Bupropion. Bupropion is an antidepressant that’s sometimes used as part of a wider weight loss treatment plan.

• Metformin. Metformin is a diabetes medication that can be used off-label for weight loss. It works by reducing appetite and changing the gut microbiome.

• Topiramate. Topiramate is an epilepsy medication sometimes used off-label for weight loss. It can suppress appetite and change food-related reward pathways.

• Naltrexone. Naltrexone is used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. It’s sometimes used with other medications as part of a broader treatment plan for weight loss.

If you’re looking to move toward a healthy weight and improve your overall health, a GLP-1 might be right for you.

Here’s the tl;dr on GLP-1 medications for weight loss:

• There are many different GLP-1s. That includes Ozempic^®, Wegovy^®, Mounjaro^®, Zepbound^®, Victoza^® and Saxenda^®. The best one for you depends on many factors.

• GLP-1s are prescribed alongside healthy eating and exercise. Beyond taking a daily or weekly medication, your healthcare provider will recommend eating more nutritious foods and doing more physical activity as part of your weight loss treatment plan.

• GLP-1s can cause side effects. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation are the most common GLP-1 side effects. They’re usually mild to moderate and get better with time.

Take our free online weight loss assessment to learn more about your options and find out if a GLP-1 medication could work for you.

If eligible, you can access GLP-1s through the Hims platform as part of a holistic weight loss program that includes medication, expert guidance, and behavior change tools through the Hims app.

See answers to frequently asked questions about GLP-1s for weight loss.

How often do you take a GLP-1 for weight loss? 

You take GLP-1s for weight loss either daily or weekly, depending on the medication. Rybelsus^® is a daily semaglutide tablet, and Victoza^® and Saxenda^® are daily liraglutide injections. Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® are weekly semaglutide injections, and Mounjaro^® and Zepbound^® are weekly tirzepatide injections.

What should I eat when taking a GLP-1 for weight loss?

There isn’t a meal plan you need to follow when taking a GLP-1 for weight loss. Instead, you should eat a variety of nutritious whole foods, including fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins.

Which GLP-1s work best for weight loss?

The best GLP-1 for you depends on how your body reacts. But research shows that tirzepatide may be more effective than semaglutide at higher doses, and semaglutide may be more effective than liraglutide.