Zepbound, Wegovy, Foundayo and Saxenda act like GLP-1, a gut hormone that helps regulate appetite and how much people eat. All four are FDA-approved to help adults with obesity lose weight. Imcivree is also FDA-approved, but only for some rare types of obesity.
What studies found
People with obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition, who took them lost 7.4% to 20.9% of their weight on average, in studies that ran more than a year. On a placebo (a look-alike with no medicine in it), they lost 2.1% to 3.1%.[1][2][3][4]
How you get them
You need a prescription from a licensed prescriber, such as a doctor.
Average weight lost in the main study on each FDA label shown, 56 to 72 weeks long. Everyone in the studies had obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition. No bar is shown for Imcivree (approved only for some rare types of obesity) or for the other options.
MedicineRange across the doses studiedPlacebo (a look-alike with no medicine in it)
0average weight lost25%
FDA-approved for weight loss · Prescription only
Zepbound (tirzepatide) · Weekly shot
Medicine 15–20.9% average weight lost
Placebo (a look-alike with no medicine in it) 3.1%
72 weeks · 2,539 people · adults with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, without type 2 diabetes[1]
Wegovy (semaglutide) · Weekly shot
Medicine 14.9% average weight lost
Placebo (a look-alike with no medicine in it) 2.4%
68 weeks · 1,961 people · people with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, without type 2 diabetes[2]
Foundayo (orforglipron) · Daily pill
Medicine 7.4–11.1% average weight lost
Placebo (a look-alike with no medicine in it) 2.1%
72 weeks · 3,127 people · adults with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, without type 2 diabetes[3]
Saxenda (liraglutide) · Daily shot
Medicine 7.4% average weight lost
Placebo (a look-alike with no medicine in it) 3%
56 weeks · 3,731 people · people with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, without type 2 diabetes[4]
Averages for the group studied, not a promise for any one person. Each study compared one medicine with placebo, not with the others.
Not FDA-approved for weight loss · 24 more options
8Approved for other usesA prescription medicine, approved for other uses
6In trialsOnly by joining a clinical trial
2Not FDA-approved · on an FDA compounding panel's agenda for a voteNo FDA-approved product in the US
7Not FDA-approvedNo FDA-approved product in the US
1SupplementSold without a prescription
See the numbers as a table
Your options at a glance
Medicine
average weight lost
Placebo (a look-alike with no medicine in it)
Zepbound (tirzepatide) · Weekly shot 72 weeks · 2,539 people
15–20.9%
3.1%
Wegovy (semaglutide) · Weekly shot 68 weeks · 1,961 people
14.9%
2.4%
Foundayo (orforglipron) · Daily pill 72 weeks · 3,127 people
7.4–11.1%
2.1%
Saxenda (liraglutide) · Daily shot 56 weeks · 3,731 people
When you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. It tells the parts of your brain that control hunger that you have had enough. Think of it as a “you’re full” text message from your stomach to your brain.
Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide) and Foundayo (orforglipron) send a stronger version of that message. Zepbound (tirzepatide) sends it along with a second gut-hormone message, called GIP. Their FDA labels describe GLP-1 as a natural regulator of appetite and of how much people eat.[1–4]
Think of it as a “you’re full” text message from your stomach to your brain.
Imcivree (setmelanotide) works on a different hunger switch in the brain, and only for some rare types of obesity.
Side effects
Key point
the most common side effects include stomach problems: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and belly pain[1][2][3][4]
In the FDA labels of the 4 medicines with results in the chart above, the most common side effects include stomach problems: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and belly pain.[1–4]
Serious warnings
Every one of those labels warns about:
thyroid tumors seen in rodents given GLP-1 medicines (unknown in people)
inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
gallbladder problems
kidney injury from losing too much fluid
severe stomach and gut reactions
serious allergic reactions
low blood sugar
breathing stomach contents into the lungs during anesthesia or deep sedation
The labels say people with a personal or family history of a rare thyroid cancer (medullary thyroid carcinoma) or a condition called MEN 2 should not use these medicines.[1–4]
Imcivree (setmelanotide) works differently, and its own label warns about:[6]
sexual side effects in males and females, including spontaneous erections in males
depression and suicidal thoughts
serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
darker skin, darker existing moles and new moles
sudden adrenal problems (acute adrenal insufficiency) in people with acquired hypothalamic obesity and secondary adrenal insufficiency
sodium imbalance in people with acquired hypothalamic obesity and central diabetes insipidus
How to get them
Key point
A doctor decides if one fits you and writes a prescription.
Approved for weight loss (Zepbound, Wegovy, Foundayo, Saxenda; Imcivree only for some rare types of obesity). A doctor decides if one fits you and writes a prescription. A licensed pharmacy fills it.
Drugs still in trials (such as retatrutide): only by joining a clinical trial. There is no approved product.
On an FDA compounding panel's agenda for a vote, or sold online without approval (such as MOTS-c or AOD-9604): there is no FDA-approved product in the US.
Supplements (berberine): sold without a prescription. FDA does not approve supplements before they are sold.
Medicines approved for other conditions (such as metformin): prescription medicines, but not FDA-approved for weight loss.
Cost, insurance and who qualifies
Prices are what each maker publishes: a self-pay price, or a list price where that is all the maker gives. What you pay depends on your plan, your dose and your pharmacy.
Key point
Medicare covers some of these medicines through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, a temporary program for people with Medicare drug coverage (Part D) that started July 1, 2026.[8]
Zepbound (tirzepatide)
The maker’s price
$299 to $699 a month for the KwikPen, depending on the dose[7]Source: the maker of Zepbound, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Medicare
Covered for people who qualify through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (KwikPen only): $50 a month copay[8]Source: Medicare.gov, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Who it’s approved for
Adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, along with a lower-calorie diet and more physical activity
Wegovy (semaglutide)
The maker’s price
$149 to $399 a month, depending on the form (pill or shot) and the dose. Some of these are offers for new patients that end December 31, 2026[9]Source: the maker of Wegovy, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 31, 2026
Medicare
Covered for people who qualify through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (shot or pill): $50 a month copay[8]Source: Medicare.gov, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Who it’s approved for
Adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, along with a lower-calorie diet and more physical activity; the shot also for children 12 and older with obesity
Foundayo (orforglipron)
The maker’s price
$149 to $349 a month, depending on the dose[10]Source: the maker of Foundayo, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Medicare
Covered for people who qualify through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (pill): $50 a month copay[8]Source: Medicare.gov, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Who it’s approved for
Adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, along with a lower-calorie diet and more physical activity
Saxenda (liraglutide)
The maker’s price
List price $1,349.02[11]Source: the maker of Saxenda, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Medicare
Not on the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge list.[8]Source: Medicare.gov, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Private insurance
Depends on your plan. The maker says most people whose plan covers weight-management medicines don't pay the list price.[11]Source: the maker of Saxenda, checked October 9, 2026
Who it’s approved for
Adults and children 12 and older who weigh more than 60 kg and have obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, along with a lower-calorie diet and more physical activity
Setmelanotide
The maker’s price
Price not shown: we have not checked it recently.
Medicare
Not on the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge list.[8]Source: Medicare.gov, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Who it’s approved for
Only for some rare types of obesity: acquired hypothalamic obesity (age 4 and older); or, from age 2, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, or POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency confirmed by a genetic test
Medicare covers some of these medicines through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, a temporary program for people with Medicare drug coverage (Part D) that started July 1, 2026. You must be 18 or older and, when you start, have a BMI of 35 or higher; a BMI of 30 or higher with diastolic heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease at stage 3a or higher; or a BMI of 27 or higher with prediabetes, a previous heart attack or stroke, or blocked arteries in your legs or arms with symptoms. You aren't eligible if your Part D plan already covers your GLP-1 drug, or if you have type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea or fatty liver disease (your Part D plan might cover your GLP-1s).[8]Source: Medicare.gov, checked October 9, 2026; next check due December 10, 2026
Federal law lets states leave drugs used for weight loss out of Medicaid, so coverage depends on your state.[12]Source: Legal Information Institute (42 U.S.C. 1396r-8), checked October 9, 2026
The other 24 options and the stacks: no price shown. This page shows no seller prices or seller links.
All options
Every option, one card each
Results are averages from studies, not a promise for any one person.
Copies the gut hormone GLP-1 and binds its receptor, with a lipid attached.
FDA-approved for weight loss: Yes
Adults and children 12 and older who weigh more than 60 kg and have obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, along with a lower-calorie diet and more physical activity
How you get it: Prescription from a doctor
In a 56-week study of 3,731 people, those on the medicine lost about 7.4% of their weight on average (placebo: about 3%).[4]
Copies the gut hormone GLP-1 and binds its receptor.
FDA-approved for weight loss: Yes
Adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, along with a lower-calorie diet and more physical activity; the shot also for children 12 and older with obesity
How you get it: Prescription from a doctor
In a 68-week study of 1,961 people, those on the medicine lost about 14.9% of their weight on average (placebo: about 2.4%).[2]
FDA-approved for weight loss: only for some rare types of obesity
Only for some rare types of obesity: acquired hypothalamic obesity (age 4 and older); or, from age 2, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, or POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency confirmed by a genetic test
No. GLP-1 is a hormone your gut makes. Ozempic is a brand of semaglutide, a medicine that acts like GLP-1. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. The semaglutide brand approved for weight loss is Wegovy.
Which GLP-1 is best for weight loss?
None of the label studies on this page compared them head to head, and which one fits a person is a doctor's call. In the studies on their FDA labels, the largest average loss was with Zepbound (tirzepatide): about 15% to 20.9% of body weight over 72 weeks, compared with about 3.1% on placebo.
Can you take Ozempic without seeing a doctor?
No. Ozempic and Wegovy are prescription medicines in the US. A licensed prescriber decides whether one fits you, and a licensed pharmacy fills it.
Will insurance cover tirzepatide for weight loss?
It depends on your plan. Medicare covers the Zepbound KwikPen for some people through a temporary program, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Medicaid coverage depends on your state.
The research
What this doesn’t establish
A trial average isn’t what any one person will lose. The trials above compared each medicine with placebo, not with each other.
A status shows where something stands with FDA, not whether it works or is safe for you. Being listed here isn’t a recommendation.