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Compare GLP-1 providers

Explainer

Are GLP-1s safe? Here's what to know

By the TreatmentMD editorial team

Updated 7 min read

A smiling woman in a taupe hijab and a white top

Key takeaways

  • For most people, GLP-1 medications are safe and well studied, and the most common side effects are tummy troubles that ease as your body adjusts.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources
  • They carry a boxed warning based on studies in rats and mice, so they're not for anyone with a personal or family history of a rare thyroid cancer called MTC, or MEN 2.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources
  • Your clinician checks your health history before you start and helps with anything rarer along the way.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

By the TreatmentMD editorial team

It's smart to ask about any medicine, and with GLP-1s there's a lot of noise out there. So here's the calm version, the way a friend who happens to be a doctor might tell you over coffee.

The short story: these medicines have been studied in tens of thousands of people, the common side effects are mostly tummy troubles that settle down, and the rarer ones are worth knowing about, with your clinician in your corner.

01The short answer

Are GLP-1 medications safe?

For most people, yes. Wegovy®, Zepbound® and Foundayo™ are FDA approved to help adults lose weight and keep it off, and each was studied in thousands of people before approval.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

The GLP-1 family has been prescribed in the U.S. since 2005, and semaglutide, the medicine in Wegovy®, since 2017.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA approval histories for Byetta® (2005), Ozempic® (2017), Mounjaro® (2022), Zepbound® (2023) and Foundayo™ (2026).Open the source All sources

Like any medicine, they're not right for everyone, and they do have side effects. That's why a licensed clinician checks your health first.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

02What most people feel

What side effects are most common?

The most common ones are tummy troubles: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

They show up mostly in the first weeks and after each dose step, and they usually ease as your body adjusts. That's why everyone starts low and steps up slowly.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

In the main studies, more than half of people never had nausea, and no more than 1 in 10 stopped because of side effects.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

Our side effects article has easy habits for each one.

03The boxed warning

What's the boxed warning about?

Every one of these medicines has a boxed warning (sometimes called a black box warning), a note at the top of the label, about thyroid C-cell tumors.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

It comes from studies in rats and mice, where semaglutide and tirzepatide caused these tumors. It isn't known whether that happens in people. Foundayo™ carries the same warning as part of the family, though it didn't cause tumors in its own animal studies.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

The largest studies of people so far, following hundreds of thousands for several years, haven't found a clear rise in thyroid cancer, and researchers keep watching.The BMJSourcePasternak B, Wintzell V, Hviid A, et al. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist use and risk of thyroid cancer: Scandinavian cohort study. BMJ. 2024;385:e078225.Open the source All sourcesAnnals of Internal MedicineSourceKo A, Chang YC, Bahar F, et al. Risk for cancer with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dual agonists: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2026;179(2):216-229.Open the source All sources

To be safe, these medicines aren't for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare thyroid cancer, or MEN 2, a rare inherited condition.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

Routine thyroid tests aren't usually needed just because you take one. If you ever notice a lump in your neck or hoarseness that lingers, mention it to your clinician.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

04Who should skip them

Who shouldn't take a GLP-1?

Only two groups are ruled out on the label: people with a personal or family history of MTC or MEN 2, and anyone who's had a serious allergic reaction to the medicine.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

A few other situations are a conversation with your clinician first:

  1. Pregnancy

    These medicines aren't for pregnancy. With Wegovy®, the label advises stopping at least two months before you try, and with any of them, stop and call your clinician if you find out you're pregnant.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  2. Birth control pills

    With Zepbound® or Foundayo™, your clinician may suggest a backup method for a few weeks after you start and after each dose increase.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  3. Severe stomach problems

    If your stomach already empties very slowly (severe gastroparesis), these medicines aren't recommended.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  4. Type 1 diabetes

    None is approved for it, so your diabetes team would be part of the decision.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sourcesAmerican Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources

  5. Another GLP-1

    You'd take one at a time, never two together.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

That's what the health questions at the start are for, so your clinician can make sure it's a good fit.

05The rarer things

What are the rarer side effects to know about?

A few rarer side effects are worth knowing about. They're uncommon, and knowing them means you can mention anything early.

  1. Your pancreas

    Rarely, people taking them have had an inflamed pancreas: about 1 or 2 in 1,000 a year in the studies. Stomach pain that won't go away is a reason to call your clinician.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  2. Your gallbladder

    Gallstones are a little more common with big weight loss, at about 1 to 3 people in 100 in the studies.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  3. Your kidneys

    If tummy troubles leave you low on fluids, your kidneys can feel it, so sip water through the day.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  4. Your blood sugar

    If you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea for diabetes, your clinician may lower that dose.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sourcesAmerican Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources

  5. Your eyes

    If you have type 2 diabetes, keep up your eye exams, and treat any sudden change in your vision as a same-day call.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sourcesAmerican Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources

  6. Surgery and sedation

    Tell your surgeon, anesthesia team or dentist you take a GLP-1. Most people keep taking it, and your team will tell you if anything changes, like what to eat the day before.American Society of AnesthesiologistsSourceAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists. New Multi-Society GLP-1 Clinical Practice Guidance Released. October 29, 2024.Open the source All sources

06The long term

Are they safe long term?

A smiling man with salt-and-pepper hair in a gray sweater

So far, the picture is reassuring. The longest studies followed people for two to four years and found no new safety concerns.The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2023SELECTHeart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease fell by 20%: 6.5% of people on semaglutide had one, against 8.0% on placebo.17,604 people · About 40 months. Adults 45 or older with heart disease and a BMI of 27 or more, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes. Lincoff AM, et al., 2023.Read the study All sourcesThe New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2025SURMOUNT-1, three yearsAfter three years, people on tirzepatide were 12.3% to 19.7% lighter than when they started, against 1.3% on placebo.1,032 people · 176 weeks. SURMOUNT-1 participants who also had prediabetes. Funded by Eli Lilly.Tirzepatide for obesity treatment and diabetes prevention. Jastreboff AM, et al., 2025.Read the study All sources

In the biggest one, people with heart disease taking semaglutide had 20% fewer major heart problems.The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2023SELECTHeart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease fell by 20%: 6.5% of people on semaglutide had one, against 8.0% on placebo.17,604 people · About 40 months. Adults 45 or older with heart disease and a BMI of 27 or more, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes. Lincoff AM, et al., 2023.Read the study All sources

Doctors' guidelines now treat these as long-term medicines, to keep taking after you reach your goal.American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources Researchers keep studying them, as with any newer medicine, and your check-ins keep you in the loop.

07Hair, muscle and your face

What about hair, muscle and "Ozempic face"?

Some people, mostly women, notice extra hair shedding as they lose weight. The labels tie it to the weight loss itself, and dermatologists say this kind of shedding is usually temporary.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sourcesAmerican Academy of DermatologySourceAmerican Academy of Dermatology. Hair shedding. Checked October 8, 2026.Open the source All sources

Most of the weight you lose on a GLP-1 is fat, though some muscle goes with any big weight loss. Enough protein and a little strength training help you keep it.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sourcesAmerican Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources

"Ozempic face" is a nickname for the softer look some faces get after losing a lot of weight. It isn't listed as a side effect on the labels.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

08Staying safe

How can you take a GLP-1 safely?

A few easy habits go a long way:

  1. Start low, go slow

    Your clinician sets the pace, and slower is always an option.American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources

  2. Share your full health history

    Mention your pancreas, gallbladder, kidneys, stomach and eyes, any thyroid cancer in your family, and pregnancy plans.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  3. Bring a list of your medicines

    Include vitamins and supplements, so your clinician can adjust anything that needs it.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  4. Sip fluids

    Especially on queasy days.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

  5. Keep your check-ins

    About monthly at first, then every few months.American Diabetes AssociationSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182.Open the source All sources

  6. Speak up early

    If something doesn't feel right, message your clinician. That's what they're there for.

09Getting started

Ready to talk to a clinician?

A good program starts with a licensed clinician who reviews your health before anything is prescribed. Our guide to getting a GLP-1 online safely shows what that looks like, and our ranking compares the programs.

Frequently asked questions.

Can I take a GLP-1 with my other medicines?

Usually, yes, and your clinician checks your list.

GLP-1s slow digestion, so some pills may need a closer look, and if you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, that dose may come down.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

Can I take a GLP-1 if I have a thyroid condition?

Often, yes.

The labels rule them out only for a personal or family history of MTC or MEN 2.

An underactive thyroid or Hashimoto's isn't on that list, but mention it, since your thyroid medicine may need a dose check.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

Do GLP-1s cause suicidal thoughts?

The FDA reviewed 91 studies with more than 100,000 people, found no added risk, and in 2026 asked for that warning to come off the labels.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. FDA requests removal of suicidal behavior and ideation warning from glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications. Drug Safety Communication, January 13, 2026.Open the source All sources

The thyroid boxed warning is a separate one, and it stays.

If your mood ever dips, tell your clinician, as you would with any medicine.

Do GLP-1s paralyze your stomach?

Not in the way the nickname suggests.

They slow how fast your stomach empties, which helps you feel full, and they aren't recommended for people who already have severe gastroparesis.

If stomach pain or vomiting is severe or won't let up, let your clinician know.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

Are the pills as safe as the shots?

Their side effects are much the same, mostly tummy troubles early on, and they carry the same boxed warning.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

Are GLP-1s safe for older adults?

For many, yes.

People 65 and older did about as well in the studies, and your clinician will set a pace that suits you.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.All sources

What about compounded GLP-1s?

They're made by state-licensed pharmacies for your prescription, and the same habits apply: start low, measure your dose carefully, and keep in touch with your clinician.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. Content current as of September 16, 2025.Open the source All sources

Our compounded explainer has more.

The bottom line

GLP-1 medications are safe for most people and well studied, and their most common side effects are short-lived tummy troubles.

The boxed warning and the rarer side effects are worth knowing, and your clinician checks your history and helps along the way.

When you're ready, compare programs on our ranking to find one that fits.

By the TreatmentMD editorial team

Medical disclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight-loss program or medication. Individual results may vary.

Sources11 sources, and product and safety information
  1. 1FDA prescribing information and Medication Guides for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound®, Foundayo™, Ozempic® and Mounjaro®: Boxed Warning; Contraindications; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies.
  2. 2FDA. Drugs@FDA approval histories for Byetta® (2005), Ozempic® (2017), Mounjaro® (2022), Zepbound® (2023) and Foundayo™ (2026). accessdata.fda.gov
  3. 3Pasternak B, Wintzell V, Hviid A, et al. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist use and risk of thyroid cancer: Scandinavian cohort study. BMJ. 2024;385:e078225. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4Ko A, Chang YC, Bahar F, et al. Risk for cancer with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dual agonists: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2026;179(2):216-229. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes, 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S166-S182. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6American Society of Anesthesiologists. New Multi-Society GLP-1 Clinical Practice Guidance Released. October 29, 2024. asahq.org
  7. 7Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(24):2221-2232. doi.org
  8. 8Jastreboff AM, le Roux CW, Stefanski A, et al. Tirzepatide for obesity treatment and diabetes prevention. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(10):958-971. doi.org
  9. 9American Academy of Dermatology. Hair shedding. Checked October 8, 2026. aad.org
  10. 10FDA. FDA requests removal of suicidal behavior and ideation warning from glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications. Drug Safety Communication, January 13, 2026. fda.gov
  11. 11FDA. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. Content current as of September 16, 2025. fda.gov

Product information

  • Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. It is also approved for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, and should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
  • Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals with type 2 diabetes using the medication.
  • Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals using the medication.
  • Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with at least one weight-related medical condition, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
  • All medications require a medical evaluation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results may vary.

Important safety information

  • Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed pharmacies and are not FDA approved. The FDA does not review their safety, effectiveness or quality, and clinical trial results for brand-name drugs do not carry over to them.
  • Semaglutide and tirzepatide carry a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on animal studies, and are not for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2, or who is pregnant. Other warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and a higher risk of low blood sugar when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. The most common side effects are digestive, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
  • This is a high-level summary, not a complete list. A licensed clinician will review your health history to decide whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you.

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