GLP-1 explained simply
A GLP-1 is a medicine that copies a hormone your gut makes after a meal. It makes you feel full sooner, which is why Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound and Mounjaro became the best-known weight-loss drugs. This page covers what they are, how they work, the names and what each costs, in about five minutes. Prices checked November 12.
What it is
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your gut releases when you eat. GLP-1 drugs are made versions of it that last much longer in the body. Doctors first used them for type 2 diabetes. They are now approved for weight loss and for other conditions linked to weight, such as heart disease and sleep apnea.
How it works
- You feel full sooner. It acts on the parts of the brain that control hunger.
- Food leaves your stomach more slowly. That keeps you full for longer, and it is also why nausea is the most common side effect.
- Blood sugar steadies. It helps your pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high.
In the trial behind Wegovy (STEP 1), people lost 14.9% of their body weight on average over 68 weeks. In the trial behind Zepbound (SURMOUNT-1), people on the top dose lost 20.9% over 72 weeks. Every major study, in plain English: GLP-1 research library.
The names
Most brand names are one of two drugs: semaglutide, made by Novo Nordisk, and tirzepatide, made by Eli Lilly. Tirzepatide copies two gut hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) instead of one.
| Brand | Drug | Approved for | How you take it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | semaglutide | Weight loss, heart risk, a fatty liver disease | Weekly shot or daily pill |
| Ozempic | semaglutide | Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease in diabetes | Weekly shot |
| Zepbound | tirzepatide | Weight loss, sleep apnea | Weekly shot (pen or vial) |
| Mounjaro | tirzepatide | Type 2 diabetes | Weekly shot |
| Foundayo | orforglipron | Weight loss | Daily pill |
Compounded versions
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are mixed by a pharmacy instead of the drug's maker. They are not Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound or Mounjaro, and the FDA does not review them before they are sold. They are the cheapest way to pay cash, and most online programs sell them. What compounded means, in full: compounded medication.
Two cash programs to check.
No insurance needed.
Prices checked Nov 12, 2026.
- Check price →Eden's GLP-1 page, then an online assessment
- Check price →
What it costs
- Compounded semaglutide: from $59 a month on our chart. Compounded semaglutide cost.
- Compounded tirzepatide: from $69 a month. Compounded tirzepatide cost.
- The Wegovy pill: from $149 a month at the starting dose, from NovoCare. Wegovy cost.
- Zepbound vials: from $299 a month at the starting dose, from LillyDirect. Zepbound cost.
- On Medicare: the GLP-1 Bridge charges $50 a month for some people on Part D. Medicare GLP-1 cost.
Brand-name prices rise with the dose, so compare what you would pay at the dose you stay on, not the first month.
How people get one
- A prescription, from your own doctor or an online program that has a clinician review you.
- Check your insurance. Plans differ on weight loss; diabetes, heart risk and sleep apnea are covered more often. GLP-1 coverage by plan.
- If insurance says no, compare cash prices by state. Compare GLP-1 prices.
Side effects, briefly
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation are the most common, mostly while the dose is still going up. Your prescriber is the person to ask about them. The full list, with figures from the clinical trials: GLP-1 side effects.
Sources
- Wilding JPH et al. STEP 1. N Engl J Med 2021
- Jastreboff AM et al. SURMOUNT-1. N Engl J Med 2022
- Harvard Health Publishing: how GLP-1 drugs work and their side effects
Questions
What is a GLP-1 in simple terms?
A medicine that copies a hormone your gut makes after you eat. It makes you feel full sooner and for longer, slows how fast your stomach empties and helps your body release insulin when blood sugar is high.
Is Ozempic the same as Wegovy?
Both are semaglutide made by Novo Nordisk. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, at different doses and prices.
What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?
Semaglutide copies one gut hormone, GLP-1. Tirzepatide copies two, GLP-1 and GIP. In the first head-to-head trial, people on tirzepatide lost more weight on average.
What does compounded mean?
A pharmacy mixes it for a patient instead of the drug's maker. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound or Mounjaro, and the FDA does not review them before they are sold. They cost the least.
How do people get a GLP-1?
With a prescription, from their own doctor or an online program. Insurance may pay depending on the plan and the reason; without it, people pay cash.