Weight-Loss Injections vs Pills: GLP-1 shots and oral options compared

Close-up of a woman sitting cross-legged, holding a pill bottle and a glass of water.

Weight-loss injections vs pills: every FDA-approved option in each group, trial results, side effects, daily-life differences and self-pay prices checked October 6, 2026.

Fact-checked against FDA labels and official sources; not yet reviewed by a licensed clinician. This page is education, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.

Key takeaways

  • FDA-approved weight-management injections include Wegovy and Zepbound (weekly) and Saxenda (daily); approved long-term pills include the Wegovy pill, Foundayo, Qsymia, Contrave and orlistat.[15]
  • Average weight loss in the main placebo-controlled trials ranged from about 5% (Contrave) to 21% (Zepbound 15 mg); trials were separate, so this is not a ranking.[7]
  • Semaglutide is approved as both a weekly injection (-14.9% in STEP 1) and a daily pill (-13.6% in OASIS 4).[9]
  • Side effects depend on drug type more than on form: GLP-1 pills and shots share digestive effects and class warnings.[1]
  • Medicare's temporary GLP-1 Bridge (July 2026 to December 2027) covers Wegovy, Zepbound KwikPen and Foundayo for weight with a $50 copay for people who meet its criteria.[21]

The short answer

FDA-approved weight-management injections (Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda) and long-term pills (Wegovy pill, Foundayo, Qsymia, Contrave, orlistat) differ in how often they are taken, food rules, needles, side effects, other approved uses and price. Average weight loss in their main trials ranged from about 5% to 21%; trials were separate, so this is not a ranking.

Scorecards

Wegovy (semaglutide): uses, side effects, cost and FDA statusFDA approved for weight managementPrescriptionInjectionWegovy Pill (oral semaglutide): status, how it is taken, how it comparesFDA approved for weight managementPrescriptionPill
Medical supervisionRequired—

No overall score and no winner: what matters depends on you. Hover a value for its definition.

Facts side by side

Wegovy (semaglutide): uses, side effects, cost and FDA statusFDA approved for weight managementPrescriptionInjectionWegovy Pill (oral semaglutide): status, how it is taken, how it comparesFDA approved for weight managementPrescriptionPill
PurposeReduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term (with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity); Reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term (injection); Reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (CV death, nonfatal heart attack, nonfatal stroke); Noncirrhotic MASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (F2 to F3), accelerated approval (injection); Weight reduction and maintenance, and cardiovascular risk reduction (Wegovy tablets)Reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term (with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity); Reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events
Class or typeGLP-1 receptor agonistGLP-1 receptor agonist
Regulatory statusFDA approved for weight managementPrescriptionInjectionFDA approved for weight managementPrescriptionPill
Prescription requiredYesYes
How it worksWegovy (semaglutide): FDA-approved uses, who the label covers, how it is taken in general, trial results, side effects, boxed warning and dated prices.The Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) is FDA approved for adults: approval, how the label says to take it, OASIS 4 results, pill vs injection and self-pay prices.
How it is done or takenInjectionPill (tablet)
How oftenWeeklyDaily
Average outcomes in studies
  • STEP 1: Mean body-weight change -14.9% with semaglutide 2.4 mg vs -2.4% with placebo; 86.4% vs 31.5% lost 5% or more.
  • SELECT: Major adverse cardiovascular events 6.5% vs 8.0% with placebo (hazard ratio 0.80).
  • OASIS 4: Weight change -13.6% with oral semaglutide 25 mg vs -2.2% with placebo.
Main risks
  • Thyroid C-cell tumors (boxed warning, seen in rodents)
  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Acute gallbladder disease
  • Thyroid C-cell tumors (boxed warning, rodents)
  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Acute gallbladder disease
Cost (dated)from 25 USD per month with commercial coverage (max savings $100 a month; government beneficiaries excluded) (checked October 6, 2026)from 149 USD per month, 1.5 mg (30 tablets), NovoCare Pharmacy (checked October 6, 2026)
Official resourcesdailymed.nlm.nih.govdailymed.nlm.nih.gov

What the trials showed

  • No injection-vs-pill trial in obesity found Same-drug comparison only across separate trials: semaglutide 2.4 mg injection -14.9% at 68 weeks (STEP 1) and semaglutide 25 mg pill -13.6% at 64 weeks (OASIS 4).[9]
  • SURMOUNT-5 (injection vs injection) 751 adults, 72 weeks, open label: tirzepatide -20.2% vs semaglutide -13.7%.[10]

Side effects compared

Wegovy (semaglutide): uses, side effects, cost and FDA statusFDA approved for weight managementPrescriptionInjectionWegovy Pill (oral semaglutide): status, how it is taken, how it comparesFDA approved for weight managementPrescriptionPill
From the label
  • Nausea (44% vs 16% placebo (adults, 2.4 mg, weight trials))
  • Diarrhea (30% vs 16% placebo)
  • Vomiting (24% vs 6% placebo)
  • Constipation (24% vs 11% placebo)
  • Abdominal pain (20% vs 10% placebo)
  • Headache (14% vs 10% placebo)
  • Fatigue (11% vs 5% placebo)
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain (Most common; see label section 6 for tablet-specific rates)

Cost and coverage

OptionPriceAmountBasisChecked on
Wegovy (semaglutide): uses, side effects, cost and FDA statusList price1,349.02 USDper package (pen, HD pen or pill)October 6, 2026
Wegovy (semaglutide): uses, side effects, cost and FDA statusSelf-pay / cash349 USDper month, pens 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg, NovoCare PharmacyOctober 6, 2026
Wegovy (semaglutide): uses, side effects, cost and FDA statusSelf-pay / cash399 USDper month, Wegovy HD 7.2 mg pen, NovoCare PharmacyOctober 6, 2026
Wegovy (semaglutide): uses, side effects, cost and FDA statusSelf-pay / cash199 USDper month, first 2 fills of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg for new patients, through 2026-12-31October 6, 2026
Wegovy (semaglutide): uses, side effects, cost and FDA statusWith savings program25 USDper month with commercial coverage (max savings $100 a month; government beneficiaries excluded)October 6, 2026
Wegovy Pill (oral semaglutide): status, how it is taken, how it comparesSelf-pay / cash149 USDper month, 1.5 mg (30 tablets), NovoCare PharmacyOctober 6, 2026
Wegovy Pill (oral semaglutide): status, how it is taken, how it comparesSelf-pay / cash199 USDper month, 4 mgOctober 6, 2026
Wegovy Pill (oral semaglutide): status, how it is taken, how it comparesSelf-pay / cash299 USDper month, 9 mg or 25 mgOctober 6, 2026
Wegovy Pill (oral semaglutide): status, how it is taken, how it comparesList price1,349.02 USDper packageOctober 6, 2026

Prices change often and depend on pharmacy, plan and location. Insurance can change what you pay. Every price shows the date we checked it.

Things people weigh up

  • Needles vs daily routine: injections are mostly weekly; pills are daily, and the Wegovy pill has empty-stomach rules.
  • Average results differ by medicine more than by form; the weekly injections and GLP-1 pills had the largest averages in their own trials.
  • Side effects depend on drug type: GLP-1 pills and shots share digestive effects; Qsymia, Contrave and orlistat have different profiles and rules.
  • Other approved uses (heart risk, sleep apnea, MASH, teens) belong to specific medicines.
  • Self-pay prices overlap (about $75 to $449 a month by medicine and strength, checked 2026-10-06); coverage varies by plan.
  • Medicare's temporary GLP-1 Bridge covers Wegovy (both forms), Zepbound KwikPen and Foundayo, not the older pills.

These are the differences people commonly consider, not a recommendation. A clinician can help you decide what fits you.

In short: As of October 6, 2026, the FDA-approved weight-management injections for obesity in general are Wegovy and Zepbound (weekly) and Saxenda (daily, being discontinued). The approved long-term pills are the GLP-1 pills Wegovy pill and Foundayo, plus the non-GLP-1 pills Qsymia, Contrave and orlistat. In their main placebo-controlled trials, average weight loss ranged from about 5% to 21% depending on the medicine, with the weekly injections and the GLP-1 pills toward the top of that range. Pills avoid needles but are taken every day, and some have strict food rules; injections are weekly but need pens and refrigeration. There is no single right answer: the choice depends on your health, preferences, coverage and a clinician’s evaluation.

A joyful couple preparing a healthy breakfast with cereals and milk at home.
Photo: SHVETS production / Pexels

Until recently, “injection or pill” meant choosing between very different levels of effect. Two FDA approvals changed that: the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide, December 22, 2025) and Foundayo (orforglipron, April 1, 2026). This page lays out the approved options in both groups, what trials showed, side effects, practical differences and dated prices, so you can research and then talk it through with a licensed clinician.

Injections vs pills at a glance

  • 3 injections, 5 long-term pillsFDA-approved options for chronic weight management in obesity in general (Imcivree, an injection, is only for rare genetic conditions; orlistat is also sold over the counter as Alli)FDA labels
  • -20.9%average weight change with Zepbound 15 mg at 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1), the largest in this group's main trialsNEJM 2022
  • -13.6%average weight change with the Wegovy pill 25 mg at 64 weeks (OASIS 4), the largest among pillsNEJM 2025

Checked on October 6, 2026

The approved options in each group

MedicineForm and scheduleTypeOther approved uses
Zepbound (tirzepatide)Injection, weekly (pens, vials, KwikPen)GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonistModerate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity
Wegovy (semaglutide)Injection, weekly (Wegovy HD 7.2 mg for some adults)GLP-1 receptor agonistHeart-risk reduction; MASH; teens 12+
Saxenda (liraglutide)Injection, daily; being discontinued (last shipments late January 2027); generic liraglutide approved 2025GLP-1 receptor agonistTeens 12+ over 60 kg
Wegovy pill (semaglutide)Tablet, daily, empty stomach, wait 30 minutesGLP-1 receptor agonistHeart-risk reduction (adults)
Foundayo (orforglipron)Tablet, daily, with or without foodGLP-1 receptor agonist (non-peptide)None beyond weight (adults)
Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate)Capsule, once each morningAppetite suppressant plus anti-seizure medicine; Schedule IVTeens 12+ with obesity
Contrave (naltrexone-bupropion)Tablets, twice daily at full doseOpioid blocker plus antidepressantNone beyond weight (adults)
Orlistat (Xenical; Alli over the counter)Capsule with each fat-containing mealLipase inhibitor (blocks some fat absorption)Xenical: teens 12+
Sources: FDA prescribing information on DailyMed for each product; Drugs@FDA; NovoCare. Checked on October 6, 2026. Short-term phentermine and the rare-disease medicine Imcivree are covered on their own pages.

Most of these labels describe adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, used with a reduced-calorie diet and more activity. Full details and status badges are on the weight-loss injections hub, the weight-loss pills hub and the medications hub.

Teens. For adolescents 12 and older with obesity, the approved options are the Wegovy injection, Saxenda (over 60 kg), Qsymia and prescription orlistat (Xenical). Neither GLP-1 pill and neither Zepbound nor Contrave is approved for people under 18. Decisions for teens belong with a pediatric clinician.

What the main trials showed

Each medicine was tested mainly against placebo, in different trials, years apart, with different people and lengths. So the chart below shows the range of results, not a ranking. Only a few head-to-head trials exist, and none compares an injection with a pill in obesity.

Average weight lost in each medicine's main placebo-controlled trialValues in %
Average weight lost in each medicine's main placebo-controlled trial
ItemMedicinePlacebo
Zepbound 15 mg, injection (SURMOUNT-1, 72 wk)20.9%3.1%
Wegovy 2.4 mg, injection (STEP 1, 68 wk)14.9%2.4%
Wegovy pill 25 mg (OASIS 4, 64 wk)13.6%2.2%
Foundayo top dose, pill (ATTAIN-1, 72 wk)11.1%2.1%
Qsymia 15/92 mg, capsule (Study 2, 1 yr)9.8%1.2%
Saxenda 3 mg, injection (Study 1, 56 wk)7.4%3%
Contrave, tablet (COR-I, 56 wk)5.4%1.3%

Separate trials; not a ranking. Orlistat (XENDOS, 4 years): -5.2% vs -2.8%. Individual results vary widely.

Source: SURMOUNT-1, STEP 1 and OASIS 4 (NEJM); Foundayo, Qsymia, Saxenda and Contrave prescribing information (checked on October 6, 2026)

The head-to-head trials that do exist compare within a form. SURMOUNT-5 compared two injections (tirzepatide -20.2% versus semaglutide -13.7% at 72 weeks); STEP 8 compared weekly semaglutide with daily liraglutide (-15.8% versus -6.4%); ACHIEVE-3 compared two pills in type 2 diabetes. See Wegovy vs Zepbound, Wegovy vs Saxenda and Wegovy vs Foundayo.

Same drug, two forms. Semaglutide is the one medicine approved for weight as both a weekly injection and a daily pill. In their own trials, the 2.4 mg injection led to -14.9% at 68 weeks and the 25 mg pill to -13.6% at 64 weeks. The pill needs a much larger daily dose because only a small fraction is absorbed from the stomach, which is why the empty-stomach rules matter.

Side effects: by drug type, not by form

Side effects depend mostly on how a medicine works, not on whether it is swallowed or injected. GLP-1 pills and GLP-1 injections share the same digestive side effects and the same class warnings (including the thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning). The non-GLP-1 pills have quite different profiles.

Nausea on each label at the highest studied doseValues in %
Nausea on each label at the highest studied dose
ItemValue
Wegovy 2.4 mg injection44%
Saxenda 3 mg injection39.3%
Foundayo 17.2 mg pill35%
Contrave pill32.5%
Zepbound 15 mg injection28%

Placebo nausea in those trials: Wegovy 16%, Saxenda 13.8%, Foundayo 10%, Contrave 6.7%, Zepbound 8%. Different trials; not a direct comparison. Qsymia's most common effect is tingling (20% at the top dose); orlistat's are oily spotting and urgency.

Source: Prescribing information (DailyMed) for each medicine, adverse reaction tables (checked on October 6, 2026)

GroupTypical side effectsKey safety points on the labels
GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 injections and pillsNausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, mostly while doses increaseThyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning; pancreatitis; gallbladder disease; low blood sugar with insulin or sulfonylureas; dehydration and kidney injury; aspiration during anesthesia
QsymiaTingling, dry mouth, constipation, altered taste, insomnia, dizzinessBirth defects: pregnancy tests and REMS; controlled substance; mood, thinking and eye effects; taper to stop
ContraveNausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizzinessBoxed warning on suicidal thoughts; seizures; blood pressure; not with opioids
OrlistatOily spotting, gas with discharge, urgency, fatty stoolsTake a multivitamin at a separate time; rare liver injury and kidney problems on the label
Sources: prescribing information on DailyMed. Checked on October 6, 2026.

For the GLP-1 class, see GLP-1 side effects; for the other pills, appetite suppressants and Contrave vs Qsymia.

Everyday differences

Weekly injectionsDaily GLP-1 pillsOther pills
How oftenOnce a week (Saxenda: daily)Once a dayOnce or twice a day; orlistat with meals
NeedlesYes, under the skinNoNo
Food and timing rulesAny time of day, with or without mealsWegovy pill: empty stomach, up to 4 oz water, wait 30 minutes. Foundayo: with or without foodContrave: avoid high-fat meals with doses. Orlistat: with fat-containing meals
StoragePens are kept in the refrigerator before use; each label lists its room-temperature limitsSee the label’s storage sectionSee each label
Missed doseEach label has a window for a late doseWegovy pill: skip and take the next day; Foundayo: take as soon as possible, never doubleSee each label
Interactions to ask aboutSlower stomach emptying can affect oral medicines; Zepbound and birth-control pillsWegovy pill: timing with other morning pills; Foundayo: birth-control pills, CYP3A4 medicinesContrave: opioids, antidepressants; Qsymia: birth-control pills, sedatives; orlistat: cyclosporine, levothyroxine timing
Sources: prescribing information on DailyMed for each medicine. Checked on October 6, 2026. Always follow your own prescriber and pharmacist.

Researching injection vs pill: a simple path

  1. Know your numbersCheck your BMI with the calculator and list your health conditions and medicines.
  2. List what matters to youNeedles, food rules, daily vs weekly, cost, other conditions such as heart disease or sleep apnea.
  3. Read the labelsUse the medicine pages here and the official prescribing information they link to.
  4. Check coverageAsk your plan what it covers and whether prior authorization applies.
  5. Get evaluatedBook a visit with a licensed clinician and bring your questions.

Cost and coverage (checked on October 6, 2026)

Self-pay prices from the manufacturers vary by strength. The chart shows each medicine’s lowest to highest regular monthly self-pay price from its maker’s own program (introductory offers are noted separately).

Monthly self-pay price range from the manufacturer, by medicine
Monthly self-pay price range from the manufacturer, by medicine
ItemLowHigh
Zepbound KwikPen or vial (on-time refills)$299$449
Wegovy pen and HD pen$349$399
Wegovy pill$149$299
Foundayo pill (regular prices)$149$349
Contrave (CurAccess, or less)$99$99
Qsymia (home delivery, 30-day)$74.99$74.99

Wegovy pen intro $199 (first 2 fills of starting strengths, new patients, through 12/31/2026). Zepbound higher strengths $499-$699 without on-time refills. Foundayo temporary prices through 12/31/2026. No manufacturer self-pay price found for Saxenda.

Source: Lilly (Zepbound, Foundayo), NovoCare Pharmacy (Wegovy), contrave.com, qsymia.com (checked on October 6, 2026)

  • Commercial insurance. Coverage for weight-management medicines varies widely. In KFF’s 2025 employer survey, 43% of firms with 5,000 or more workers covered GLP-1s for weight loss, compared with 16% of firms with 200 to 999 workers. Makers’ savings cards (from $25 a month) only help if your plan covers the drug.
  • Medicare. Medicare is barred by law from covering drugs used for weight loss, but the temporary Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027) covers Wegovy (injection and tablets), Zepbound KwikPen and Foundayo for weight management with a $50 copay for people who meet its criteria. Qsymia, Contrave and Saxenda are not on the Bridge list.
  • Medicaid. 13 state Medicaid programs covered GLP-1s for obesity under fee-for-service as of January 2026, according to KFF.

Full details: does insurance cover GLP-1s?, Wegovy cost, Zepbound cost and the GLP-1 cost comparison tool.

What to avoid with either form

Compounded GLP-1 injections and pills, “research-use” peptides and products sold without a prescription are not FDA approved, and the FDA has warned about counterfeit semaglutide in the U.S. supply chain. Supplements marketed as “natural GLP-1” are not GLP-1 medicines. Read compounded GLP-1s and our supplements hub before buying anything online.

Long term, with either form

Weight tends to return when these medicines stop: in STEP 4 (semaglutide injection) people switched to placebo regained 6.9% over 48 weeks, and in SURMOUNT-4 (tirzepatide injection) 14.0% over a year. Protein, strength training and follow-up matter at every stage; see life after a GLP-1, muscle loss on GLP-1s and the protein calculator. Not sure where to start? Find My Options shows the categories that match your preferences.

Compared with the items

Related comparisons

Related guides

Tools for this topic

Questions to ask a professional

  • Given my health and other medicines, which medicines in either group could be safe for me?
  • Would a weekly injection or a daily pill fit my routine better, and what food rules apply?
  • Do I have a condition, such as heart disease or sleep apnea, that makes a specific medicine more relevant?
  • What does my insurance cover, and what would each option cost me per month?
  • How will we judge whether it is working, and what is the plan if it is not?
  • What is the long-term plan, including protein, strength training and stopping?

Frequently asked questions

Are weight-loss pills as effective as injections?

It depends on the medicine. In their own trials, the Wegovy pill (-13.6%) and Foundayo (-11.1%) came close to the Wegovy injection (-14.9%); Zepbound injection (-20.9%) had the largest average. Older pills such as Qsymia and Contrave had smaller averages. These were separate trials, not a direct comparison.

Is there a GLP-1 pill for weight loss?

Yes. The FDA approved the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) on December 22, 2025 and Foundayo (orforglipron) on April 1, 2026 for weight management in adults.

Do pills have fewer side effects than injections?

Not necessarily. GLP-1 pills and GLP-1 injections share the same digestive side effects and warnings. Non-GLP-1 pills such as Qsymia and Contrave have different side effects and their own warnings.

Which is cheaper, a pill or an injection?

Prices overlap. On 2026-10-06, manufacturer self-pay prices were about $75 to $99 a month for Qsymia and Contrave programs, $149 to $349 for the GLP-1 pills by strength, and $299 to $449 for Zepbound and $349 to $399 for Wegovy pens. Your cost depends on coverage.

Can I switch from an injection to a pill?

Sometimes, but it is a prescriber decision. The Wegovy label includes instructions for switching between its injection and tablets; moving to a different medicine follows that medicine's label.

Why does the Wegovy pill have to be taken on an empty stomach?

Semaglutide is a peptide that is poorly absorbed from the stomach. The label says to take it in the morning on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces of water and wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines.

Does Medicare cover weight-loss pills?

Medicare is barred by law from covering drugs used for weight loss. The temporary GLP-1 Bridge (July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027) covers the Wegovy pill and Foundayo, plus Wegovy and Zepbound KwikPen injections, for people who meet its criteria. Qsymia, Contrave and orlistat are not included.

Are compounded GLP-1 pills or drops a safe alternative?

Compounded GLP-1 products are not FDA approved, and the FDA has raised concerns about unapproved versions and counterfeits. Read our compounded GLP-1 guide and talk with a clinician before considering any product.

References

  1. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets: prescribing information. Novo Nordisk, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Drug label
  2. ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection: prescribing information. Eli Lilly and Company, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Drug label
  3. SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection: prescribing information. Novo Nordisk, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
  4. FOUNDAYO (orforglipron) tablets: prescribing information. Eli Lilly and Company, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Drug label
  5. QSYMIA (phentermine and topiramate) extended-release capsules: prescribing information. Vivus, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
  6. CONTRAVE (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) extended-release tablets: prescribing information. Nalpropion Pharmaceuticals, via DailyMed, 2025. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
  7. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al.. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine, 2022. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2206038 · PMID 35658024 · NCT04184622 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
  8. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al.. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine, 2021. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 · PMID 33567185 · NCT03548935 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
  9. Wharton S, Lingvay I, Bogdanski P, et al.. Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (OASIS 4). New England Journal of Medicine, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2500969 · PMID 40934115 · NCT05564117 (accessed October 6, 2026) Randomized trial
  10. Aronne LJ, Horn DB, le Roux CW, et al.. Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-5). New England Journal of Medicine, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2416394 · PMID 40353578 · NCT05822830 (accessed October 6, 2026) Randomized trial
  11. Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, et al.. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight (STEP 8). JAMA, 2022. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.23619 · PMID 35015037 · NCT04074161 (accessed October 6, 2026) Randomized trial
  12. Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al.. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance (STEP 4). JAMA, 2021. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3224 · PMID 33755728 · NCT03548987 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
  13. Aronne LJ, Sattar N, Horn DB, et al.. Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.24945 · PMID 38078870 · NCT04660643 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
  14. Drugs@FDA: Wegovy tablets, NDA 218316. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
  15. Drugs@FDA: Foundayo, NDA 220934. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
  16. Zepbound coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
  17. Wegovy at NovoCare Pharmacy: self-pay prices. Novo Nordisk (NovoCare Pharmacy). (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
  18. Foundayo coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
  19. Contrave savings and CurAccess pharmacy. Currax Pharmaceuticals. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
  20. Qsymia pricing and home delivery. Vivus. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
  21. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
  22. 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey. KFF, 2025. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
  23. Medicaid Coverage of and Spending on GLP-1s. KFF, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
  24. What Medicare’s Temporary Program Covering GLP-1s for Obesity Means for Beneficiaries. KFF, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
  25. FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page

Facts checked on October 6, 2026

Educational information, not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your own situation. In an emergency call 911.