What is a GLP-1?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide 1. It is a hormone your gut makes after you eat. It tells your brain you are full, slows your stomach and helps your pancreas release insulin. GLP-1 medicines copy this signal and make it last longer.
GLP-1 medicines for weight loss
- Semaglutide: Wegovy weekly injection and the Wegovy daily pill.
- Tirzepatide: Zepbound weekly injection. It acts on GLP-1 and a second hormone called GIP.
- Orforglipron: Foundayo daily pill, approved in April 2026, with no food or water rules.
- Liraglutide: Saxenda daily injection, an older option.
Benefits beyond the scale
Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight can improve blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, fatty liver and joint pain. Some GLP-1 medicines also have proven heart benefits. Wegovy lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with heart disease, and Zepbound is approved for obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
Is GLP-1 treatment safe?
GLP-1 medicines have been used for diabetes for close to 20 years. Most side effects are stomach related and improve over time. Serious problems are uncommon but real, so these medicines should be prescribed and watched by a doctor. Dr. Siddiqui checks your history, labs and other medicines before starting.
Why your GLP-1 doctor matters
Many places now sell GLP-1 shots. An endocrinologist does more than write a prescription. She looks for the reasons behind weight gain, adjusts diabetes medicines to prevent low blood sugar, protects muscle and bone, and plans for life after the weight comes off.