Diabetes Medications for Weight Loss: What to Know

Key takeaways:

• Some medications FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes can promote weight loss.

• Diabetes medications for weight loss include Ozmepic^®, Mounjaro^®, and metformin.

• These meds are sometimes prescribed off-label for people with overweight or obesity.

• Most of these diabetes drugs promote weight loss by suppressing appetite and making you feel fuller.

You might have heard about medications like Ozempic^®, Mounjaro^®, and metformin for weight loss. But these drugs are actually diabetes medications that are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. Confusing, we know.

Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about diabetes medications for weight loss, including a list of common medications, how diabetes drugs work for weight loss, and how to get a prescription.

A few types of diabetes medications can support weight loss, including GLP-1s, GIP/GLP-1s, biguanides, and SGLT-2 inhibitors. 

Since diabetes drugs can promote weight loss — even in people without diabetes — healthcare providers sometimes prescribe them off-label for patients with obesity or overweight.

An off-label prescription is when a provider prescribes a medication for a condition the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved the drug to treat.

Here’s how these diabetes drugs work for weight loss:

• GLP-1s. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists mimic the GLP-1 hormone. They increase insulin and lower glucagon, which lowers blood sugar levels. They also reduce hunger and increase fullness, helping you avoid overeating. Semaglutide and liraglutide are GLP-1s.

• GIP/GLP-1s. Combined GLP-1s and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIPs) mimic two hormones: GIP and GLP-1. They also work to lower blood sugar, suppress appetite, and increase fullness. Tirzepatide is a GIP/GLP-1.

• Biguanides. Biguanides make the liver produce less glucose (sugar), which helps control blood sugar levels. They can also reduce appetite. Metformin is a biguanide drug.

• SGLT2 inhibitors. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors stop your body from reabsorbing glucose, making you excrete more in your urine. Empagliflozin and dapagliflozin are SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Here’s a list of diabetes medications used for weight loss.

1. Ozempic^®

Ozempic^® began as a diabetes drug, but then weight loss appeared as a surprising side effect. It’s now sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss in people without diabetes. It might be the most well-known diabetes medication for weight loss.

Besides diabetes, Ozempic^® is FDA-approved to reduce cardiovascular events in people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It’s also approved to reduce kidney risks in those with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Ozempic^® is a once-a-week injection containing the active ingredient semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

One study found that people with type 2 diabetes who took 1 mg (milligram) of Ozempic^® lost about 10 pounds in 30 weeks.

The manufacturer of Ozempic^® (Novo Nordisk) also developed a semaglutide drug specifically for weight loss. Sold under the brand name Wegovy^®, it contains a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic^®.

Wegovy^® is FDA-approved for weight loss and chronic weight management in people with obesity. It can also be prescribed to people with overweight who have a weight-related medical condition, like high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. Yep — there are weight loss medications for diabetes, too.

→ Learn more: Ozempic^® vs. Wegovy^®

2. Rybelsus^®

Rybelsus^® is another semaglutide drug for diabetes that’s sometimes used for weight loss. Instead of a weekly injection like Ozempic^®, it’s a daily tablet.

In a Novo Nordisk–sponsored clinical trial, participants with overweight or obesity took a 50-mg dose of oral semaglutide and made lifestyle changes. After 68 weeks, they lost 17.4 percent of their body weight.

While promising, research is still ongoing for the 50-mg dose. For now, the maximum Rybelsus^® dose you can get is 14 mg.

3. Victoza^®

Victoza^® contains the active ingredient liraglutide, also a GLP-1. It’s a daily injection.

Liraglutide is also available as an FDA-approved weight loss drug under the brand name Saxenda^®. You can get generic liraglutide, as well, which is often more affordable than brand-name liraglutide drugs.

Research on people with obesity (but not diabetes) found that Saxenda^® led to weight loss of about 15 pounds. When combined with exercise, participants lost roughly 21 pounds.

This study looked at a 3-mg dose of liraglutide, which is higher than what’s typically available. With Victoza^®, you might be on a 1.8-mg dose.

4. Trulicity^®

Trulicity^® contains the active ingredient dulaglutide, which is yet another GLP-1. It’s also a weekly injection.

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that dulaglutide can reduce body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. This research was on people with type 2 diabetes.

5. Mounjaro^®

Mounjaro^® contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, making it a GIP/GLP-1. It’s a once-a-week injection FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.

Tirzepatide is also available as an FDA-approved weight loss drug, sold under the brand name Zepbound^®. Zepbound^® and Mounjaro^® are available in the same doses.

Research from 2022 looked at people with obesity or overweight with a weight-related health condition that wasn’t diabetes. After 72 weeks, those taking 15 mg of Zepbound^® lost an average of 52 pounds. 

→ Compare: Mounjaro^® vs. Ozempic^®

6. Metformin

Metformin is a biguanide. It was FDA-approved for diabetes back in 1994. You might take metformin as a daily tablet once, twice, or three times a day, depending on your dose.

Metformin may work by decreasing appetite and changing the gut microbiome to support weight loss.

Research on people with obesity found that metformin can reduce BMI by about one unit. In other words, if your BMI is 32, this medication might help you reach a BMI of 31.

→ Get your BMI: Hims BMI Calculator

7. Jardiance^®

Jardiance contains the active ingredient empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor. It’s a once-daily tablet.

SGLT-2 inhibitors stop the body from reabsorbing glucose, causing you to pee out excess sugar.

Research on people with type 2 diabetes shows that empagliflozin can lead to weight loss, a lower waist circumference, and less total body fat.

Diabetes drugs are safe for many people. People with type 2 diabetes have used them for decades and often stay on them long-term.

Even if you don’t have type 2 diabetes, these medications could be safe for you. A healthcare provider will take into account your weight, medical history, and current health to make sure you’re a good candidate.

Like any medication, though, diabetes medications come with possible side effects and rare risks.

For example, common side effects of GLP-1s are often gastrointestinal and include: 

• Nausea

• Vomiting 

• Diarrhea

• Constipation 

• Stomach pain 

Rare, long-term side effects include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) and problems with the gallbladder.

You can get diabetes medications for weight loss, even if you don’t have type 2 diabetes. These drugs are prescription medications, so you’ll still need to connect with a healthcare professional who can determine if they’re right for you.

You can meet with your primary care provider or go through a telehealth platform like Hims to access medication.

How to Get Diabetes Medications for Weight Loss Through Hims

Through Hims, you can connect with a licensed healthcare provider who can determine if diabetes medications for weight loss are right for you based on your BMI, medical history, and current health. If so, they’ll write you a prescription and a personalized treatment plan.

You can access a few different types of medications through the Hims platform. This includes GLP-1s like:

• Ozempic^®

• Wegovy^®

• Generic liraglutide

• Mounjaro^®

• Zepbound^®

You can also access oral weight loss medications like:

• Bupropion

• Metformin

• Topiramate

• Naltrexone

If you go the oral medication route, a provider may recommend a combination of bupropion, metformin, topiramate, and naltrexone to suit your needs — potentially vitamin B12, too.

Here’s what the Hims process looks like when accessing diabetes medications for weight loss:

• Online assessment. You’ll start by answering a few questions about your weight, health, medical history, and weight loss goals. 

• Provider evaluation. A licensed healthcare provider trained in weight management will go over your answers and determine if weight loss medications are right for you. In most states, you can do this online — no video consultation necessary. But some states require them. 

• Prescription and treatment plan. If eligible, a provider will write you a personalized weight loss treatment plan that includes prescription medication. 

• Direct shipping. We ship medication directly to your door in discreet packaging. You’ll get all the supplies and instructions you need.

• Unlimited ongoing care. Besides medication, you’ll get 24/7 access to your Care Team to ask questions and get treatment tweaks, if needed. You can also access the Hims app, which includes high-protein recipes, habit trackers, educational content, and behavior change tools to support weight loss.

Medication, the initial consultation, follow-ups, ongoing care, and the Hims mobile app are all included in the price of your subscription.

You don’t need insurance to access weight loss treatment through Hims. And you can use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible savings account (FSA) to reduce your costs. Check your plan for details.

Many people with type 2 diabetes use diabetes medications to help with blood sugar control and see weight loss as a side effect.

You can get these same medications for the treatment of obesity, even if you don’t have type 2 diabetes.

Here are the key things to know:

• There are many types of diabetes drugs for weight loss. That includes GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic^®, GIP/GLP-1s like Mounjaro^®, and biguanides like metformin.

• They work in different ways for weight loss. Many diabetes medications reduce hunger and make you feel fuller to help you eat nutritious foods and the right portion sizes.

• There are also FDA-approved weight loss medications. They’re FDA-approved for people with obesity or overweight with a weight-related health condition.

To access weight loss medications — whether you have diabetes or not — you’ll need to connect with a healthcare provider. You can do that online by taking our free online weight loss assessment.

See answers to common questions about diabetes medications for weight loss below.

What happens when you stop taking diabetes medications for weight loss?

When you stop taking diabetes medications for weight loss, your hunger and food cravings will slowly return to what they were before starting medication. You might also gain weight if you don’t stay on top of healthy lifestyle habits.

Which diabetes drugs can cause weight loss?

Diabetes drugs that can cause weight loss include Ozempic^®, Rybelsus^®, Victoza^®, Trulicity^®, Mounjaro^®, metformin, and Jardiance. These medications work in different ways, but many can reduce hunger and make you feel fuller.

What’s the best diabetes drug for weight loss?

The best diabetes drug for weight loss depends on your health, weight, and how your body reacts to medication. Research sponsored by Eli Lilly (the manufacturer of Mounjaro^® and Zepbound^®) found that tirzepatide may be more effective than semaglutide at higher doses.

Is Ozempic^® or Mounjaro^® better for weight loss? 

Whether Ozempic^® or Mounjaro^® is better for weight loss depends on how your body reacts to either medication. There’s no research putting Mounjaro^® against Ozempic^®, but research sponsored by Eli Lilly found high doses of tirzepatide were more effective than semaglutide. The drugs were similarly effective at lower doses.

How do diabetes medications help with weight loss?

Diabetes medications help with weight loss in different ways. Many medications reduce hunger and make you feel fuller for longer. This helps you eat fewer calories and more nutritious foods.