GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs have transformed the thinking around obesity treatment. Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro were originally created to help people with type 2 diabetes. While they weren’t designed for people who wanted to lose weight, a side effect of those medications was some weight loss.
The formulations were slightly tweaked and sold as weight loss drugs, which include Wegovy and Zepbound. About 41 million Americans, or 1 in 8, have used GLP-1 drugs.
How is Ozempic different from other GLP-1 drugs?
Ozempic was approved in 2017 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with type 2 diabetes. The weekly injection was not prescribed as a weight loss drug.
However, in 2023, people who didn’t have type 2 diabetes started using it for weight loss. Since then, a number of other medications have come on the market using similar formulas.
One of the first approved weight loss drugs since then was Wegovy. It uses the same active ingredient as Ozempic, called semaglutide, just in a higher dose.
There are other oral and injectable versions of semaglutide and another ingredient used for weight loss called tirzepatide. Examples include Mounjaro and Zepbound, which are both injectable versions of tirzepatide. A daily pill form of Wegovy was also approved by the FDA and made available on Jan. 1, 2026.
Get more information about Ozempic
How do GLP-1 medications work?
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that’s naturally produced in the gut after you eat. It helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin, suppressing glucagon and slowing digestion. It also works on the part of your brain that controls your appetite, helping your brain to know when you are full.
GLP-1 drugs increase these effects. They reduce appetite and help you feel full. They also can reduce food cravings and “food noise” in your brain. For many people, this means weight loss and improved blood sugar control.
Explore if weight loss medications are right for you
What are the side effects of GLP-1s?
The main side effect of GLP-1 drugs is reduced appetite. Other common side effects include constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Taking GLP-1s can increase your risk of developing some health conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, kidney damage, pancreatitis and medullary thyroid cancer. If you take a GLP-1 and feel dizzy, have shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain or swelling in your neck, you should get medical care right away.
Explore how GLP-1 drugs can impact your whole body
Which GLP-1 is best for weight loss?
Any GLP-1 medication can help you lose weight. In combination with healthy lifestyle changes, there is not one that is more effective than the other.
Do GLP-1 medications really work for weight loss?
GLP-1 medications have shown weight loss outcomes of about 15-20% in some cases. When paired with healthy lifestyle choices, GLP-1s can help people reach their weight loss goals and keep the weight off.
See if weight loss medications can really help you lose weight
What are the different types of GLP-1 medications?
There are two main types of GLP-1 drugs:
- Injection: Several GLP-1s come in an injectable form. Some are to be used daily, while others require one injection each week.
- Pill: More GLP-1 medications are trending toward oral pill form. Typically, you will take one pill per day 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other medications.
Get step-by-step instructions for GLP-1 injections
How much do GLP-1s cost?
Most GLP-1 medications cost around $1,000 per month without insurance. Some insurance companies have expanded their coverage of weight loss drugs if you meet certain requirements. In late 2025, the White House announced a deal with two drug companies to lower the cost of their GLP-1 drugs.
How are UC Davis Health providers recommending GLP-1 use?
GLP-1 medications have proven to be an effective tool to help patients manage their weight. UC Davis Health providers advocate that GLP-1s should be used along with other healthy eating and exercise changes.
For people with obesity, GLP-1 drugs are very helpful to manage weight. However, obesity is a complex condition. People struggle with obesity for a variety of reasons. It’s important to discuss other roadblocks to weight loss with your provider. These may include mental health conditions like depression or anxiety, or physical limitations that prevent you from exercising without pain.
UC Davis Health is opening an Obesity Clinic that will integrate nutrition, physical therapy, sleep medicine, behavioral counseling and medication management. This will help support patients in achieving their health goals all around. The clinic will only be open to current UC Davis Health patients.
Learn more about our Obesity Clinic and how GLP-1s can help patients
See why you should partner with a primary care provider for your health
This blog was medically reviewed by endocrinologist Miranda Stiewig-Rapp.
