Glp-1 For Weight Loss: How It Works, Benefits, And Risks
Jul 19, 2025 • 12 min read
Published on July 19, 2025 | Update on July 18, 2025
July 19, 2025
MS, Registered Dietitian, Former President of CT Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
Table of Contents
GLP-1 for weight loss is generating increasing interest, as medications like Ozempic and Wegovy gain widespread attention through media coverage and personal success stories. Social platforms are filled with dramatic before-and-after photos, but the reality is often more nuanced than what you see online. If you’re curious or even a little skeptical about these medications, you’re not alone. Many people feel unsure about the claims and are looking for clear, evidence-based information on what these treatments actually offer.
Rather than focusing on hype, this guide will explore what GLP-1s are, how they work, and what kind of results you can reasonably expect. It’s important to first establish that these medications are intended to support—not replace—healthy lifestyle changes. We’ll take a closer look at the science, benefits, and risks to help you make an informed decision about whether they might be right for you.
To establish a general understanding, let’s first talk about what GLP-1 medications actually do. GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally releases after eating. Put simply, it helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion.
Medications like Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy (higher dose of semaglutide), Mounjaro, and Zepbound (tirzepatide)mimic this hormone, sending signals to your brain that increase feelings of fullness and satisfaction. As a result, people tend to naturally eat less, often without feeling deprived. Compared to other FDA-approved appetite suppressants such as Phentermine, these modern medications do not overstimulate your nervous system, and they don’t produce the same jittery or anxious feeling.
Since GLP-1s work with your body’s own fullness signals, this is why they tend to be more effective and generally safer for most people.
It’s worth noting that some GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved for diabetes, while others are specifically for weight loss. In some cases, doctors may still prescribe them off-label (for other uses that are not FDA-approved), depending on individual needs and their own individual medical judgement. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate option.
Ultimately, these medications work by reducing appetite, which helps create the calorie deficit needed for weight loss. However, if treatment stops, weight regain is common. While GLP-1s are not a cure-all, they can make it easier to maintain healthy habits such as improving your nutrition and engaging in regular physical activity. Some also offer added benefits like better blood sugar control, which can be especially helpful for those with insulin resistance or diabetes.
GLP-1 medications have shown impressive results in previous clinical trials, but it’s also important to understand what those numbers mean.
In large-scale studies, semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) led to an average placebo-corrected weight loss of about 12.4% at the 2.4 mg dose. Tirzepatide, used in medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound, showed even greater results, where participants in some trials lost up to 22.5% of their body weight.
Beyond that, a head-to-head comparison from the SURMOUNT-5 trial illustrates the difference clearly: Participants taking tirzepatide lost an average of 20.2% of their body weight compared to 13.7% with semaglutide. To put that into perspective, someone weighing 200 pounds could potentially lose between 20 and 40 pounds—or more—depending on their response to treatment and the specific medication used.
Most of this weight loss occurs within the first 68 to 72 weeks of treatment, so patience and consistency are key. It’s also important to note that stopping the medication, especially without professional support and guidance, often leads to some degree of weight regain. These medications work best as part of a broader lifestyle approach, not as standalone solutions.
For sustainable long-term results, combining GLP-1 treatment with balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and behavioral changes remains essential. The medication can be a valuable support tool, but building lasting habits is what truly drives success.
The public perception and clinical use of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound have expanded significantly in recent years. In March 2024, the FDA expanded Wegovy’s approval to include reducing cardiovascular risk in people with obesity and existing cardiovascular disease—a major milestone for these treatments. This decision was based on the results of the SELECT trial, which followed over 17,600 participants and found that Wegovy reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by about 20%.
Zepbound also provides additional health benefits beyond weight loss. For example, in December 2024, the FDA approved Zepbound for the treatment of sleep apnea.
Beyond rapid weight loss, many patients experience other metabolic improvements, such as better blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
It’s clear that these medications can offer benefits that reach far beyond the number on the scale, supporting overall health for many people. That said, this is still emerging research, and more is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential of GLP-1 medications for different populations.
As is the case with most other medications, GLP-1s are not suitable for everyone, and understanding who qualifies is an important first step. According to FDA guidelines, these medications are approved for people with a:
These criteria help ensure that those most likely to benefit from treatment are prioritized.
Generally speaking, GLP-1 medications are considered when lifestyle changes such as improved diet and physical activity have not led to sufficient results on their own. If you’re not losing weight in a calorie deficit, it may be due to underlying factors that make progress harder. In these cases, GLP-1s may help you overcome those barriers. Still, they’re intended to complement healthy habits that you are already practicing, not replace them.
There are some important contraindications for taking GLP-1 medications:
Finally, cost and access need to be considered. These medications can be expensive, and insurance coverage for weight loss varies widely. Some plans only cover GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes, so checking with your healthcare provider and insurer can help you make an informed, realistic decision.
Another shared feature of most medications is the potential for side effects and risks, with GLP-1s being no exception. While most people tolerate them well, it’s helpful to know what side effects to expect, especially in the first few weeks of treatment:
These symptoms are well-documented across clinical trials and often appear during the dose escalation phase. Many users describe these effects as temporary and mild, gradually improving as the body adjusts to the medication.
While most side effects are manageable and temporary, there are more serious risks to be aware of:
Additionally, some users experience visible signs of rapid weight loss, such as a change in facial appearance (sometimes informally referred to as “Ozempic face”).. While not medically dangerous, this can be a cosmetic concern for some people.
Lean muscle loss is also common as a result of rapid weight loss with GLP-1s. Fortunately, some of this can be mitigated by eating enough protein and doing regular strength training. New complementary medications are also coming down the pike that may help preserve lean muscle while taking GLP-1s.
It’s important to note that while GLP-1s have been used in diabetes care for years, their widespread use for weight loss is relatively new. As research continues, long-term safety data across broader populations are still emerging. Regular check-ins with a healthcare provider are essential to monitor side effects and ensure the treatment remains appropriate for your health profile.
GLP-1 medications can be highly effective, but for many, cost and access remain significant barriers.
Without insurance, these treatments typically range from $800 to $1,400 per month, making them unaffordable for a large number of people. In addition, ongoing supply shortages have limited availability in some regions. The FDA actively monitors these shortages, but delays and access issues remain common.
Another hurdle regards insurance coverage or, more precisely, the lack thereof. While many plans will cover GLP-1 medications for diabetes, far fewer provide coverage for weight loss alone. This leaves many people stuck between wanting to try these options and not being able to afford them. With the rapid rise in demand, compounded medications have been developed that are more affordable, but can come with risks.
The FDA has issued warnings about compounded versions, highlighting serious dosing errors and safety concerns, as the FDA does not oversee the production of these versions. If you are having trouble affording FDA-approved GLP-1s, speak to your doctor about your options, as some manufacturers may offer discounts when they are medically necessary.
Typically, starting GLP-1 medication is a gradual process, with doses slowly increased over 16 to 20 weeks to help your body adjust and to minimize potential side effects.
During the early stages, nausea is one of the most common symptoms, but it often improves as you approach your target dose. Around this point, many people begin to notice the medication’s full appetite-suppressing effects. Some even describe a phenomenon where they “forget to eat”—not due to willpower, but because they simply don’t feel hungry.
Additionally, your relationship with food may begin to shift. Specifically, you might:
While this can be helpful for weight management, it can also impact social routines and become unexpectedly challenging, especially for events such as dining out or attending certain social food events. Eating too little and skipping meals can also become a common habit for many when their appetite is significantly suppressed. Getting enough nutrition, often in the form of small and frequent nutrient-dense meals, can be best to maximize nutrition and outcomes.
Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider are important to monitor how you’re doing and to adjust any other medications you might be taking, such as insulin or other diabetes medications. It’s also important to remember that GLP-1 treatment is a long-term commitment, as most people stay on these medications for an extended period. This is because they’re not meant to be a short-term fix, but instead a chronic disease treatment for obesity.
Most people regain approximately two-thirds of their lost weight within one year of stopping GLP-1 therapy. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and getting professional support can reduce this rebound effect and help preserve more of your progress over the long term.
While GLP-1s can be powerful tools for weight loss and metabolic health, they don’t permanently change the biology that made weight management challenging in the first place.
When you stop taking the medication, your hunger signals return, often more intensely than before, and your body’s natural systems push you back toward your previous weight.
This doesn’t mean all your progress disappears overnight. But it does highlight why combining medication with long-term strategies like balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and behavior changes is essential. These habits are what help you maintain your results when the medication ends or if you need to take a break.
If you do need to discontinue treatment, you’re not completely without options. Work with your healthcare provider to taper off gradually rather than stopping abruptly, or reducing to a lower dose for maintenance, which may help soften the return of appetite. You might also explore additional support tools, such as working with a dietitian, joining a weight management group, or using other medications if appropriate.
GLP-1 medications offer meaningful benefits, from significant weight loss to improved blood sugar and cardiovascular health. Like any treatment, however, they come with trade-offs and are not a one-size-fits-all solution.
They aren’t magic bullets, and the most sustainable results tend to occur when paired with lasting lifestyle changes and a long-term commitment. What works for one person might not work for another, so individual choice and professional guidance are necessary.
Further, these treatments require medical supervision to monitor progress and address any side effects. It’s always important to set realistic expectations, as results are not guaranteed. The field is evolving quickly, with new, more effective options and research emerging constantly. Ultimately, the decision to use GLP-1 medications should be made in partnership with healthcare providers who understand both your health goals and financial situation.
GLP-1 medications mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite and slows stomach emptying, so you feel full longer and eat less. They also support insulin production and help control blood sugar, which can be especially helpful for people with type 2 diabetes. The main effect is reduced appetite, making it easier to stick with healthy eating habits.
People with a BMI of 30 or higher or a BMI of 27 or higher with weight-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure are typically eligible. These medications are usually prescribed after diet and exercise alone haven’t worked well enough. They are not recommended for those with certain medical histories, such as pancreatitis or a family history of medullary thyroid cancer.
Most people experience mild to moderate side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, especially when first starting the medication. These symptoms usually improve as your body adjusts to the treatment. More serious but rare risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder disease.
Most weight loss occurs within the first 68 to 72 weeks of treatment, but some people notice appetite changes within a few weeks. Results vary from person to person, and ongoing lifestyle changes are important for lasting success. It’s important to be patient and follow your healthcare provider’s guidance.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
