| Medication | Brand Name(s) | Form & Frequency | Target Mechanism | FDA Status | Typical Weight Loss | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | Ozempic, Wegovy, Wegovy HD | Weekly injection; oral daily tablet | GLP-1 | Approved | 10–15% (HD dose higher) | Wegovy HD recently approved; oral version available |
| Tirzepatide | Mounjaro, Zepbound | Weekly injection | GLP-1 & GIP | Approved | 15–20% | Dual-agonist for enhanced metabolic effect |
| Liraglutide | Victoza, Saxenda | Daily injection | GLP-1 | Approved | 5–10% | Older GLP-1, generic options increasing access |
| Orforglipron | Foundayo | Daily oral pill | GLP-1 | Approved April 1 | 10–20% (early data) | Non-peptide, oral convenience |
| Retatrutide | N/A | Weekly injection (in trials) | GLP-1, GIP, Glucagon | Phase 3 | >20% | Triple-agonist, not yet FDA approved |
| CagriSema | N/A | Weekly injection | GLP-1 + Amylin analog | Phase 3 | 15–20% | Combination therapy, engaging multiple satiety pathways |
GLP‑1s: What’s available, what’s coming, and why they’re not a magic bullet
By Asha Valor
Anyone, but especially people tuned into weight loss, would have to be living under a rock to be unaware of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a hormone that slows digestion, reduces appetite, and helps regulate blood sugar. One in eight Americans are said to have tried them.
But being aware and being informed about them are not the same, especially in a field that, though popular, is still developing.
Several GLP‑1 medications are approved in the United States. Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for chronic weight management, is administered via weekly injection. A high-dose version, Wegovy HD, recently approved by the FDA, delivers a dose triple that of the previous formulation, resulting in greater average weight loss in clinical studies. Semaglutide is also available as a tablet, giving patients a daily pill option.
Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss, takes a different approach by activating both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, thereby enhancing metabolic effects beyond those of traditional GLP-1 therapies.
Liraglutide, an older GLP-1 drug delivered daily via injection, is sold as Victoza for diabetes and
Saxenda for weight management, with generic versions now increasing access and affordability.
The next generation of medications, none of them yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, promises even more. Retatrutide, often described as a “triple-agonist,” simultaneously targets GLP-1, glucagon receptors, and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). Data suggest potential weight reductions exceeding 20 percent, far surpassing earlier treatments.
CagriSema, combining semaglutide with the amylin-analog cagrilintide, has also shown promising results in Phase 3 trials. Eli Lilly’s Orforglipron, a daily oral GLP-1 with a brand name of Foundayo, was approved by the FDA April 1.
Long-term adherence to these drugs remains a challenge. Nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and other effects lead patients to discontinue therapy. Weight regain after stopping the medication is common, underscoring that GLP-1s work best alongside sustained lifestyle changes. Cost and insurance coverage further complicate ongoing use.