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Explainer

How long do you stay on a GLP-1 medication?

By the TreatmentMD editorial team

Updated 7 min read

A laughing couple walking together in activewear

Key takeaways

  • GLP-1 medications are typically prescribed as long-term treatments, and there's no set end date.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sourcesNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources
  • Weight loss usually builds for about a year, then levels off, and the medicine helps you hold your new weight while you take it.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021.Open the source All sourcesNature MedicineRandomized trial · 2022STEP 5After two years, people on semaglutide were 15.2% lighter on average, against 2.6% on placebo.104 weeks. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Garvey WT, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources
  • How long you stay on treatment is a decision to make with your clinician, based on how it's working and what you want.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources

By the TreatmentMD editorial team

If you're starting a GLP-1, it's natural to wonder how long you'll be on it. A few months? A year? Longer?

Knowing what to expect helps you plan, and choose a program you'll be happy to stay with. Let's walk through it.

01The short answer

How long do you stay on a GLP-1?

They're usually prescribed for the long term, with no set end date. Wegovy®, Zepbound® and Foundayo™ are approved to help you lose weight and keep it off over the long term.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources

It isn't like a course of antibiotics with a finish line. You can keep taking one for as long as it's helping you.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources

Medical groups agree. The newest U.S. guidelines recommend staying on the medicine after you reach your goal, to keep the benefits.BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sourcesObesitySourceAlexander L, Purnell JQ, Burridge K, et al. Joint TOS/OMA/OAC Expert Guidance Statement on the Pharmacological Management of United States Adults With Overweight or Obesity Using the GRADE Approach. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2026;34(4):851-870.Open the source All sources

That can sound like a lot at first. But it also means there's no deadline, so you can go at your own pace.

02Why

Why is there no set end date?

Doctors see obesity as a long-term health condition, much like high blood pressure. Both do best with steady, ongoing care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sourcesCleveland ClinicSourceCleveland Clinic. How Long Should You Be on a GLP-1? May 1, 2026.Open the source All sources

GLP-1s work while you take them, helping you manage hunger day to day. When the medicine stops, that help stops too.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sourcesNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources

That's why some weight often comes back after stopping. On average, though, people in the main semaglutide study stayed lighter than when they started.Diabetes, Obesity and MetabolismRandomized trial · 2022STEP 1 extensionA year after stopping semaglutide, people had regained about two-thirds of the weight they lost, and were still 5.6% lighter on average than when they started.327 people · 120 weeks. Adults from STEP 1, followed for a year after treatment stopped.Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Wilding JPH, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources Here's what happens when you stop.

Healthy habits matter a lot, and they work best as a team with the medicine. In one study, people who stopped the medicine gained some weight back, even while they kept up their diet and activity coaching.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sourcesJAMARandomized trial · 2024SURMOUNT-4After 36 weeks of tirzepatide, people switched to placebo gained back about half of the weight they had lost over the next year, and were still 9.9% lighter than at the start; those who stayed on lost a further 5.5%.670 people · 52 weeks, after a 36-week lead-in. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes, who completed 36 weeks of tirzepatide. Funded by Eli Lilly.Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction in adults with obesity: the SURMOUNT-4 randomized clinical trial. Aronne LJ, et al., 2024.Read the study All sources That's not a lack of effort. It shows how much the medicine was helping.

So the question isn't really "when do I finish?" It's "what's the right long-term plan for me?"

03The journey

What does the journey look like?

It usually comes in three stages:

  1. Finding your dose

    You start low and step up about once a month, so your body can get used to it. Reaching the top dose takes three to five months, depending on the medicine. But the right dose for you may be a lower one.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sourcesBMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sources

  2. Losing weight

    Weight loss builds steadily, then slows. In the main Wegovy® and Zepbound® studies, it leveled off after about 12 to 14 months.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021.Open the source All sourcesU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), NDA 217806. November 2023.Open the source All sources

  3. Keeping it off

    Your weight settles at a new, lower point, and the medicine helps you hold it there. In a two-year Wegovy® study, people were about 15% lighter after one year, and still about 15% lighter after two.Nature MedicineRandomized trial · 2022STEP 5After two years, people on semaglutide were 15.2% lighter on average, against 2.6% on placebo.104 weeks. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Garvey WT, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources

Everyone's pace is a little different, so don't worry if yours doesn't match exactly.

04Plateaus

What if your weight loss slows down?

That's normal, and expected. After the first year or so, weight usually levels off at a new, lower point.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021.Open the source All sourcesNature MedicineRandomized trial · 2022STEP 5After two years, people on semaglutide were 15.2% lighter on average, against 2.6% on placebo.104 weeks. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Garvey WT, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources

A plateau doesn't mean the medicine has stopped working. It's your body settling at its new weight, and the medicine is what helps you stay there.Nature MedicineRandomized trial · 2022STEP 5After two years, people on semaglutide were 15.2% lighter on average, against 2.6% on placebo.104 weeks. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Garvey WT, et al., 2022.Read the study All sourcesThe LancetRandomized trial · 2026SURMOUNT-MAINTAINA year after stepping down to 5 mg, people had kept about two-thirds of the weight they lost, against about two-fifths of those switched to placebo.378 people · 112 weeks: 60 weeks of weight loss, then 52 of maintenance. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, who lost at least 5% in the first 60 weeks. Funded by Eli Lilly.Tirzepatide for maintenance of bodyweight reduction in people with obesity in the USA (SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Horn DB, et al., 2026.Read the study All sources

If things slow down sooner than you expected, it's worth a chat with your clinician. Early on, you may still be stepping up, and they can check whether your dose is right for you.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sourcesBMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sources

Your habits help here too. Meals built around protein and fiber, and staying active most days, support the results you've worked for.Obesity PillarsSourceMozaffarian D, Agarwal M, Aggarwal M, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Corrected version. Obes Pillars. 2026;18:100269.Open the source All sources Here's what to eat on a GLP-1.

It can help to look beyond the scale as well, at how your clothes fit and how you feel day to day.

05Your goal

What happens when you reach your goal?

Reaching your goal is a big moment, so take a second to enjoy it. It's also a good time to check in with your clinician about what comes next.

Two 2026 studies looked at the options. Here's how much of their weight loss people kept a year later:

What they didWeight loss kept a year later
Stayed on their full Zepbound® doseAlmost all of itThe LancetRandomized trial · 2026SURMOUNT-MAINTAINA year after stepping down to 5 mg, people had kept about two-thirds of the weight they lost, against about two-fifths of those switched to placebo.378 people · 112 weeks: 60 weeks of weight loss, then 52 of maintenance. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, who lost at least 5% in the first 60 weeks. Funded by Eli Lilly.Tirzepatide for maintenance of bodyweight reduction in people with obesity in the USA (SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Horn DB, et al., 2026.Read the study All sources
Stepped down to Zepbound® 5 mgAbout two-thirdsThe LancetRandomized trial · 2026SURMOUNT-MAINTAINA year after stepping down to 5 mg, people had kept about two-thirds of the weight they lost, against about two-fifths of those switched to placebo.378 people · 112 weeks: 60 weeks of weight loss, then 52 of maintenance. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, who lost at least 5% in the first 60 weeks. Funded by Eli Lilly.Tirzepatide for maintenance of bodyweight reduction in people with obesity in the USA (SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Horn DB, et al., 2026.Read the study All sources
Switched to Foundayo™, a daily pillAbout three-quarters or moreNature MedicineRandomized trial · 2026ATTAIN-MAINTAINA year after switching from a weekly shot to orforglipron, people kept about three-quarters of the weight they had lost, against under half on placebo.376 people · 52 weeks. Adults who had lost weight on 72 weeks of tirzepatide or semaglutide shots. Funded by Eli Lilly.Orforglipron for maintenance of body weight reduction: the double-blind, randomized phase 3b ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial. Aronne LJ, et al., 2026.Read the study All sources
Switched to a placebo (no medicine)About two-fifths to a halfThe LancetRandomized trial · 2026SURMOUNT-MAINTAINA year after stepping down to 5 mg, people had kept about two-thirds of the weight they lost, against about two-fifths of those switched to placebo.378 people · 112 weeks: 60 weeks of weight loss, then 52 of maintenance. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, who lost at least 5% in the first 60 weeks. Funded by Eli Lilly.Tirzepatide for maintenance of bodyweight reduction in people with obesity in the USA (SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Horn DB, et al., 2026.Read the study All sourcesNature MedicineRandomized trial · 2026ATTAIN-MAINTAINA year after switching from a weekly shot to orforglipron, people kept about three-quarters of the weight they had lost, against under half on placebo.376 people · 52 weeks. Adults who had lost weight on 72 weeks of tirzepatide or semaglutide shots. Funded by Eli Lilly.Orforglipron for maintenance of body weight reduction: the double-blind, randomized phase 3b ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial. Aronne LJ, et al., 2026.Read the study All sources
Averages, in people who had already lost weight on a weekly shot.

So staying on in some form helps you keep the most. Your clinician will help you find the plan that fits, whether that's your current dose, a lower one or a pill. If you step down or switch, they'll keep an eye on your weight as you go.

06Years of data

Can you take a GLP-1 for years?

A smiling woman holding a small vial, one hand on her hip

Yes. Studies have now followed people on these medicines for years.

One large Wegovy® study followed people with heart disease for up to four years. Those on the medicine were still about 10% lighter at the end.Nature MedicineSourceRyan DH, Lingvay I, Deanfield J, et al. Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial. Nat Med. 2024;30(7):2049-2057.Open the source All sources

In a three-year tirzepatide study, people with prediabetes ended up 12% to 20% lighter, depending on the dose.The 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

The benefits go beyond the scale, too. Wegovy® is also approved to help protect the heart in adults with heart disease. Zepbound® is approved to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources

Side effects tend to show up early, while the dose is going up, rather than years in.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources

And these medicines aren't new. The first in the family was approved in 2005, and semaglutide in 2017.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA approval histories for Byetta® (2005) and Ozempic® (2017).Open the source All sources

Your clinician will keep an eye on how you're doing along the way, as with any long-term treatment.

07Check-ins

When might you and your clinician change course?

Long term doesn't mean set and forget. Guidelines suggest a check-in at least monthly for your first three months, then every three months until your first year is up. After that, every six months can be enough, and many check-ins can happen by telehealth, from your couch.BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareSourceAmerican Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729.Open the source All sources

You and your clinician might adjust things when:

  1. It isn't working well enough

    Everyone responds a little differently. If you've lost less than 5% after about three months on your full dose, your clinician may suggest another option.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesSourceNIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024.Open the source All sources

  2. Side effects bother you

    A slower pace or a lower dose can help.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources Our side effects article has more tips.

  3. Your budget changes

    Before you stop, it's worth looking at other options. There's more on cost below.

  4. Life changes

    Planning a pregnancy or surgery, or starting a new medicine, is a good reason to check in.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources

08Affording it

How do you keep it affordable over the long term?

Since it's usually long term, it helps to find a price you're comfortable with.

Paying cash, the Wegovy® shot is $199 a month for your first two fills, then $349. The Wegovy® pill starts at $149 a month.Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources

Foundayo™ starts at $149 a month too, and Zepbound® runs from $299 to $449.Eli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Foundayo™ (orforglipron) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sourcesEli Lilly and CompanySourceLillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide cost less again. At the programs we rank, semaglutide starts at $49 a month and tirzepatide at $89. We checked in early October 2026.

With insurance, your plan will usually renew its approval about once a year, as long as it's working.Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sourcesUnitedHealthcareSourceUnitedHealthcare. Prior Authorization/Notification, Weight Loss/Appetite Suppression Medication Coverage, program 2026 P 1114-23. Effective October 1, 2026.Open the source All sources Our insurance article explains how to check yours.

And if you have Medicare, the GLP-1 Bridge covers some GLP-1s for $50 a month through 2027, for people who qualify.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources

You can usually pay with an HSA or FSA, too, since the IRS counts prescribed medicines as medical expenses.Internal Revenue ServiceSourceIRS. Publication 502 (2025), Medical and Dental Expenses.Open the source All sources

Frequently asked questions.

How soon will I see results?

It builds gradually, so go easy on yourself in the first few weeks.

In the main Wegovy® study, people had lost about 6% of their weight by three months, on average.

That's about 13 pounds for someone who starts at 220.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources

How long will it take to reach my goal?

It's different for everyone.

In the main studies, people lost about 15% of their weight on Wegovy® and 15% to 21% on Zepbound®, depending on the dose.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources

Most of it came off in the first year.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021.Open the source All sourcesU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Clinical review of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), NDA 217806. November 2023.Open the source All sources For someone who starts at 220 pounds, 15% is about 33 pounds.

Is there a limit on how long I can take it?

No. The labels don't set one.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources

When you read about four-year studies, that's how long the research ran, not a limit on how long you can take it.Nature MedicineSourceRyan DH, Lingvay I, Deanfield J, et al. Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial. Nat Med. 2024;30(7):2049-2057.Open the source All sources

Is it the same for the pills?

Yes.

The Wegovy® pill and Foundayo™ are long-term treatments too, just taken once a day instead of once a week.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.All sources

Our pills vs. injections article compares them.

Will my insurance cover it long term?

Plans that cover GLP-1s usually renew the approval about once a year, if it's working.

Cigna and UnitedHealthcare, for example, look for at least 5% of your starting weight lost.Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026.Open the source All sourcesUnitedHealthcareSourceUnitedHealthcare. Prior Authorization/Notification, Weight Loss/Appetite Suppression Medication Coverage, program 2026 P 1114-23. Effective October 1, 2026.Open the source All sources Some set a time limit, so it's worth asking yours.KFFSourceKFF Health News. As Insurers Struggle With GLP-1 Drug Costs, Some Seek To Wean Patients Off. September 4, 2025.Open the source All sources

Can I take compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide long term?

Yes, with your clinician's guidance.

Whichever medicine you take, the approach is the same: regular check-ins and a plan that fits you.

Here's how compounded GLP-1s work.

The bottom line

A GLP-1 is usually a long-term treatment, because it works while you take it.

There's no set end date, just regular check-ins with your clinician about how it's going.

When you're ready, compare programs on our ranking to find one you can stick with.

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.

Sources24 sources, and product and safety information
  1. 1FDA prescribing information for Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Zepbound® and Foundayo™: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Warnings and Precautions; Adverse Reactions; Drug Interactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Pharmacology; Clinical Studies.
  2. 2NIDDK. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. Last reviewed June 2024. niddk.nih.gov
  3. 3FDA. Clinical review of Wegovy® (semaglutide), NDA 215256. June 2021. fda.gov
  4. 4Garvey WT, Batterham RL, Bhatta M, et al. Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Nat Med. 2022;28(10):2083-2091. doi.org
  5. 5American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729. doi.org
  6. 6Alexander L, Purnell JQ, Burridge K, et al. Joint TOS/OMA/OAC Expert Guidance Statement on the Pharmacological Management of United States Adults With Overweight or Obesity Using the GRADE Approach. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2026;34(4):851-870. doi.org
  7. 7Cleveland Clinic. How Long Should You Be on a GLP-1? May 1, 2026. clevelandclinic.org
  8. 8Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564. doi.org
  9. 9Aronne LJ, Sattar N, Horn DB, et al. Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction in adults with obesity: the SURMOUNT-4 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2024;331(1):38-48. doi.org
  10. 10FDA. Clinical review of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), NDA 217806. November 2023. fda.gov
  11. 11Horn DB, Aronne LJ, Wharton S, et al. Tirzepatide for maintenance of bodyweight reduction in people with obesity in the USA (SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN). Lancet. 2026;407(10545):2305-2318. doi.org
  12. 12Mozaffarian D, Agarwal M, Aggarwal M, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Corrected version. Obes Pillars. 2026;18:100269. doi.org
  13. 13Aronne LJ, Horn DB, le Roux CW, et al. Orforglipron for maintenance of body weight reduction: the double-blind, randomized phase 3b ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial. Nat Med. 2026;32(7):2679-2687. doi.org
  14. 14Ryan DH, Lingvay I, Deanfield J, et al. Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial. Nat Med. 2024;30(7):2049-2057. doi.org
  15. 15Jastreboff 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
  16. 16FDA. Drugs@FDA approval histories for Byetta® (2005) and Ozempic® (2017). fda.gov
  17. 17NovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026. novocare.com
  18. 18LillyDirect. Foundayo™ (orforglipron) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026. lilly.com
  19. 19LillyDirect. Zepbound® (tirzepatide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026. lilly.com
  20. 20Cigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0206: Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (Foundayo™). Effective September 1, 2026. cigna.com
  21. 21UnitedHealthcare. Prior Authorization/Notification, Weight Loss/Appetite Suppression Medication Coverage, program 2026 P 1114-23. Effective October 1, 2026. uhcprovider.com
  22. 22Medicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 6, 2026. medicare.gov
  23. 23IRS. Publication 502 (2025), Medical and Dental Expenses. irs.gov
  24. 24KFF Health News. As Insurers Struggle With GLP-1 Drug Costs, Some Seek To Wean Patients Off. September 4, 2025. kffhealthnews.org

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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