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GLP-1 medications are no longer just diabetes drugs, they’re now some of the most widely discussed treatments in metabolic health and weight management. Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza, and newer agents like Mounjaro and Zepbound all work by mimicking gut hormones that regulate appetite, insulin release, digestion, and blood sugar levels.
While these medications share a common mechanism, they differ significantly in how often you take them, who qualifies, their side effect profiles, their benefits, and how much weight loss you can expect. With more GLP-1 drugs entering the market every year, choosing the right option can feel overwhelming.
1. Ozempic (semaglutide)
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 medication approved for adults with Type 2 diabetes. It comes in a multi-dose pen and can be taken any time of day as long as you use it on the same day each week.
Your clinician may prescribe Ozempic if you have:
• Type 2 diabetes with heart disease, to reduce major heart-related risks
• Chronic kidney disease, to help slow the progression toward kidney failure
• Excess weight — even though it’s not officially approved for weight loss, many people lose weight while taking it
On average, participants in earlier trials lost 8–10 lbs by week 30, though weight loss varies by dose.
Semaglutide continues to be studied for additional conditions, and more indications may be approved in the future.
2. Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)
Rybelsus is the only oral GLP-1 medication currently available. It’s taken once daily, first thing in the morning, with a small amount of water. You must wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking so your body can absorb it properly.
Important notes:
• It is approved only for Type 2 diabetes, not weight loss
• Switching between Ozempic and Rybelsus is possible, but not ideal at higher Ozempic doses
Higher-dose oral semaglutide for weight loss is currently in development and expected to receive future FDA consideration.
3. Wegovy (higher-dose semaglutide)
Wegovy is a once-weekly semaglutide injection approved for weight loss, not diabetes.
You may qualify if you are:
• An adult or adolescent (12+) with obesity
• An adult with overweight and a related health condition (high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.)
Clinical trials show:
• Adults lose ~15% of their starting weight
• Teens lose ~15% of their starting BMI
Wegovy also has FDA approval for:
• Reducing major cardiovascular events in people with obesity and heart disease
• Treating MASH (metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis) with moderate–advanced fibrosis
4. Trulicity (dulaglutide)
Trulicity is a once-weekly injection for Type 2 diabetes, approved for adults and children 10+. It comes as an easy-to-use single-dose pen.
Trulicity can:
• Reduce cardiovascular risks in adults with diabetes
• Help support kidney health
Weight loss is not its primary purpose, but some people lose weight, especially at the higher 4.5 mg dose.
5. Victoza (liraglutide)
Victoza is a once-daily GLP-1 injection approved for Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10+. It may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in those with diabetes and heart disease.
Typical weight loss is mild (around 5 lbs). For weight loss–specific treatment, Saxenda (a higher-dose version of liraglutide) is available.
A key advantage: Victoza has a generic version, making it a more affordable GLP-1 option.
6. Saxenda (liraglutide for weight loss)
Saxenda is the weight-loss version of liraglutide. It is approved for adults and adolescents 12+ with obesity, or adults with overweight plus a related condition.
Clinical results show:
• Adults lost ~8% of body weight
• Teens lost ~2.5% of body weight
But Saxenda requires daily injections, which some people find less convenient than weekly options.
Compared head-to-head, Wegovy leads to significantly greater weight loss (16% vs. ~6%).
7. Byetta (exenatide)
Byetta was the first FDA-approved GLP-1 medication. It’s injected twice daily before meals, making it less convenient than newer options.
Pros:
• Helps control post-meal blood sugar spikes
• May cause modest weight loss
• Available in a lower-cost generic
Cons:
• No strong cardiovascular outcome data compared to newer GLP-1 agents
8. Bydureon BCise (exenatide extended-release)
Bydureon BCise is a once-weekly version of exenatide. It is approved for Type 2 diabetes in people ages 10+.
Advantages:
• More convenient than Byetta
• Once-weekly dosing
Limitations:
• Lacks cardiovascular outcome evidence
• Generally results in modest weight changes
9. Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro is not a pure GLP-1. It belongs to a newer class: GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists, mimicking two gut hormones instead of one.
Mounjaro is approved for Type 2 diabetes and has shown superior results compared to Ozempic in head-to-head trials:
• Greater A1C reduction
• More weight loss
It is also being studied for cardiovascular protection, though it is not approved for that purpose yet.
10. Zepbound (tirzepatide for weight loss)
Zepbound is the FDA-approved weight-loss version of tirzepatide.
You may qualify if you are:
• An adult with obesity
• An adult with overweight and a related condition
Zepbound is also approved for obstructive sleep apnea in people with obesity.
Clinical trials show dramatic results:
• Up to 21% weight loss over 72 weeks
This is currently among the highest weight-loss outcomes for any obesity medication on the market.
How to Choose the Right GLP-1 Medication
Your best option depends on your goals:
For weight loss → consider:
• Wegovy
• Zepbound
• Saxenda (daily injection, less effective)
For Type 2 diabetes → consider:
• Ozempic
• Trulicity
• Rybelsus
• Victoza
• Mounjaro
For affordability → consider:
• Generic liraglutide (Victoza)
• Generic exenatide (Byetta)
For the most weight loss overall → Zepbound or Wegovy
The Bottom Line
The GLP-1 landscape is expanding rapidly, giving people more choices than ever before. While these drugs share a common foundation, they differ in dosing frequency, effectiveness, approvals, and cost.
Choosing the right medication comes down to:
• Your medical conditions
• Your weight-loss goals
• Your insurance coverage
• Your tolerance for injections
• How aggressive you want your treatment to be
A healthcare provider can help match you with the safest and most effective option based on your unique needs.
