Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It was FDA approved in 2021. It is administered as an injection and approved for use in adults and children aged 12 years or more with obesity (BMI ≥30 for adults, BMI ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex for children) or some adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) (overweight) who also have weight-related medical problems. The dose must be increased gradually over 16 to 20 weeks to arrive at the 2.4 mg dosage. This progression can help to alleviate side effects, which include gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and fatigue.

Ozempic is the same medication but is approved to treat type 2 diabetes.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is approved to treat type 2 diabetes. As Zepbound, it is approved to treat obesity in adults with a BMI of 30 or greater.

It is both a GLP-1 and a GIP receptor agonist and, like semaglutide, works by reducing appetite and is meant to be used in combination with diet and exercise to lose weight. It is also administered as an injection.

Saxenda (liraglutide) is a daily injectable medication that acts on hormones from the gut that send signals to the brain to make the patient feel full quicker and decrease hunger signals. Doses start at 0.6 mg to 3 mg a day. Some patients may lose 5–10% of body weight, especially with the liraglutide higher dose.

Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase, and renal insufficiency. It is contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.