Diabetes weight loss drugs: options, benefits, and risks explained

Diabetes drugs have revolutionized the treatment of obesity, but the discovery of their potential weight loss benefits didn't happen right away. 

In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved exenatide (Byetta), the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which was designed to help lower blood glucose levels (blood sugar)in people with type 2 diabetes. Other GLP-1 agonist medications, like liraglutide (Victoza), followed.

Researchers soon discovered that this group of medicines not only treated diabetes but may also help people lose a considerable amount of weight.

A new generation of weight loss medications was born.

Today, new medications for type 2 diabetes, including Ozempic and Mounjaro, are helping some people with and without diabetes lose up to 15% or more of their body weight. 

Read on to learn about the different types of diabetes weight loss drugs and how they may promote weight loss, and find information about safety, side effects, and whether these medications might be right for you. 

There are several types of diabetes drugs that, in addition to regulating blood sugar, may promote weight loss: GLP-1 receptor agonists, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and metformin. 

Due to their impact on weight and other health benefits, some of these drugs may be used off-label (for a different indication than they were approved to treat) for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity. 

Let’s take a closer look at how they work. 

How GLP-1 receptor agonists can promote weight loss

GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a natural hormone our intestines release called glucagon-like peptide 1, which can promote weight loss via three actions:

Suppressing appetite

"The drugs 'talk' to our brain to encourage us to eat less and to be less preoccupied with food," explains Alexandra Sowa, MD, a dual board-certified obesity and internal medicine physician practicing in New York City, a clinical instructor of medicine at New York University, and author of The Ozempic Revolution. 

Slowing stomach emptying

GLP-1 drugs also “talk to” your stomach, slowing digestion and stomach emptying. When food sits in your stomach longer, it signals your body and brain via hormones that you're full and don't need to eat, Dr. Sowa says.  

Lowering blood sugar

These medications can trigger the release of insulin, a hormone that moves sugar from your bloodstream into your cells to use for energy and store for later. GLP-1 drugs also block glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. The net effect of these two actions is to help prevent the rollercoaster of blood sugar spikes and dips that could otherwise make you feel hungry.

Some examples of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes include:

• Ozempic (semaglutide)

• Rybelsus (semaglutide)

• Victoza (liraglutide)

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

• Trulicity (dulaglutide)

• Byetta and Bydureon BCise (exenatide)

How SGLT2 inhibitors can promote weight loss

These medicines help your body get rid of extra glucose (sugar). The protein SGLT2 makes your kidneys reabsorb glucose back into your bloodstream. SGLT2 inhibitors cause your kidneys to release more glucose into your urine and remove it from your body, which can lead to calorie loss.

Some examples of SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetes include:

• Invokana (canagliflozin)

• Farxiga (dapagliflozin)

• Jardiance (empagliflozin)

• Steglatro (ertugliflozin)

How metformin can promote weight loss

Metformin may impact weight management via its effects on blood sugar. Metformin lowers blood sugar by reducing the amount of glucose your liver makes and decreases glucose absorption in the small intestines. It also makes your cells respond better to the hormone insulin.  

Brand names for metformin include:

• Glucophage

• Glumetza

• Fortamet

• Riomet

People with type 2 diabetes who need help with blood sugar control or who also have risk factors for cardiovascular disease are candidates for these medications, according to Diala Alatassi, MD, a double board-certified internal and obesity medicine physician at Endeavor Health in Elmhurst, IL.

For your doctor to prescribe any of these medicines off-label for weight loss, Dr. Alatassi adds that you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• Have a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity)

• Have a BMI of 27 or higher (overweight), plus a weight-related health condition like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease

Below is a list of the diabetes drugs that may lead to weight loss based on the most recent clinical trial data.

These figures are approximate. In some cases, these drugs were studied at dose strengths that may not be available with off-label use. Individual weight loss results will vary. 

As with any weight loss plan, lifestyle interventions are important. In all clinical trials, participants who lost the most weight paired medication with intensive diet and exercise modifications.

Ozempic

Ozempic is indicated to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also FDA-approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

• Route, form, and dosage:

  • Ozempic comes in a subcutaneous (beneath the skin) self-injectable pen that you take once per week.

  • Ozempic comes in four dose strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg. Dosing starts at 0.25 mg weekly and increases to 0.5 mg weekly after one month, up to a maximum dose of 2 mg weekly. 

• Cost: $968.52 per month without insurance. 

• Effectiveness: A review of four randomized-controlled studies including 3,613 people with obesity but not diabetes found that the average weight loss with semaglutide was just under 12% compared to placebo. 

Rybelsus

Rybelsus is the first oral GLP-1 drug on the market. It contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic (semaglutide) and is indicated to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. 

• Route, form, and dosage:

  • Rybelsus is an oral pill you take daily. It should be taken on an empty stomach with plain water only, at least 30 minutes before breakfast. 

  • Rybelsus comes in three dose strengths: 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg. The starting dose is 3 mg once a day. After 30 days, it increases to 7 mg daily, and may be increased to the maximum dose of 14 mg daily after another 30 days. 

• Cost: $968.52 per month without insurance. 

• Effectiveness: Rybelsus isn’t indicated for weight loss; however, some data suggest that it may lead to modest reductions in weight. According to results from the PIONEER phase 3a clinical trial program, oral semaglutide resulted in an average weight loss of 8 pounds, or less than 5% of body weight, over 26 weeks (about 6 months) when taking 14 mg of Rybelsus. 

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is indicated to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a new class of medications called dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)and GLP-1 receptor agonists.

GIP is another hormone your intestine releases after you eat to help regulate blood sugar levels. By activating receptors for both GIP and GLP-1, these drugs can help reduce appetite, promote weight loss, and improve blood sugar control. 

• Route, form, and dosage:

  • Mounjaro comes in a self-injectable pen that you inject under the skin once a week. 

  • Mounjaro comes in six dose strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. The dosage starts at 2.5 mg once a week and is increased by 2.5 mg every four weeks, up to a maximum dose of 15 mg once weekly. 

• Cost: $1069.08 per month without insurance. 

• Effectiveness: In a study of 2,539 adults with obesity or overweight plus at least one weight-related medical condition (excluding diabetes), the average weight loss at 72 weeks was 15% with 5 mg weekly doses of tirzepatide, 19.5% with 10 mg doses, and almost 21% with 15 mg doses.

Victoza

Victoza (liraglutide) is approved for controlling blood sugar in adults and children ages 10 and older with type 2 diabetes and to help prevent heart attacks and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease. 

• Route, form, and dosage: 

  • Victoza is a medication that you inject under the skin daily. It comes in a pre-filled pen. 

  • Victoza comes in three dose strengths: 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, and 1.8 mg. Dosing starts at 0.6 mg daily and is increased to 1.2  mg after one week. If you need additional blood sugar control after one week at the 1.2 mg dose, your healthcare provider may increase your dose to 1.8 mg daily. 

• Cost: $543.51-$815.27 without insurance. 

• Effectiveness: In a study of 3,731 people who had a BMI of at least 30 or a BMI of at least 27 plus high cholesterol or high blood pressure, 63% lost at least 5% of their body weight and 33% lost more than 10% of their body weight at week 56 after taking 3 mg of liraglutide daily. 

Trulicity

Trulicity (dulaglutide) helps to improve blood sugar control in adults and children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes and is also prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes in adults with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease. 

• Route, form, and dosage: 

  • Trulicity is a weekly subcutaneous injection that comes in a single-dose pen. 

  • Trulicity comes in four dose strengths: 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, and 4.5 mg. Dosing starts at  0.75 mg once a week for at least four weeks. Your healthcare provider may increase your dose every month, depending on how you tolerate the medication and if additional blood sugar control is needed. The maximum dose is 4.5 mg weekly in adults and 1.5 mg in children.

• Cost: $977.42 per month without insurance. 

• Effectiveness: In a clinical trial involving the highest dose (4.5 mg) of Trulicity, 49% of people with type 2 diabetes lost 5% or more of their body weight, and 14% lost 10% or more at nine months. 

Byetta and Bydureon BCise

Byetta (exenatide) is approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Bydureon BCise is approved for blood sugar control in adults and children ages 10 and older with type 2 diabetes.

• Route, form, and dosage of Byetta: 

  • Byetta is an injectable medication that you take twice daily. It comes in a pre-filled pen. 

  • Byetta comes in two dose strengths: 5 micrograms (mcg) and 10 mcg. Dosing begins with 5 mcg twice a day, one hour before breakfast and dinner. The dose is increased to 10 mcg twice daily after one month. 

• Route, form, and dosage of Bydureon BCise:

  • Bydureon BCise extended-release also comes in a pre-filled pen that you inject under the skin once a week. 

  • The dose strength for Bydureon BCise is 2 mg.

• Cost: The average retail price for Byetta is $1019.28 per month without insurance. Bydureon BCise retails for about $998.24 per month without insurance. 

• Effectiveness:  In one study, 56% of women with overweight or obesity lost 5% or more of their body weight, and 23% lost 10% or more of their body weight after three months on this drug. However, researchers also stated that  weight loss results with exenatide were similar to the results you might experience from following a low calorie diet. 

SGLT2 inhibitors

These drugs are indicated for blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and to help prevent major cardiovascular issues like heart attack and stroke for people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

• Route, form, and dosage:

• SGLT2 inhibitors come as oral pills that are taken once a day. 

• Invokana is taken before your first meal. Dosing starts at 100 mg daily and may be increased to 300 mg per day based on your provider’s guidance. 

• Farxiga can be taken with or without food. Dosing starts at 5 mg per day and may gradually increase to 10 mg daily. 

• Jardiance comes in 10 and 25 mg doses and should be taken in the morning, with or without food. 

• Steglatro is taken with or without food. The dosing starts at 5 mg per day and may gradually increase to 15 mg daily. 

• Cost: SGLT2 medications are slightly less expensive than GLP-1 medications and range from $400-$800 per month without insurance or coupons.

• Effectiveness:  A 2022 review of seven studies found that these drugs may be effective for weight loss in people with obesity, but results were less significant (in this case, less than 5% of body weight) than other drug classes. That review also suggests that the weight loss effects may be short-lived due to the way these drugs work. SGLT2 inhibitors remove glucose through urine, which increases calorie loss and can mimic a state of fasting. Over time, the body may adapt to this state and compensate by taking in more calories, which can offset weight loss. 

Metformin

Metformin is prescribed for blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. 

• Route, form, and dosage:

• Metformin is a daily oral medication that you take with meals. It comes in two forms: tablet or liquid solution. Tablets come in regular and extended-release formulations.

• Dosing for metformin varies depending on the formulation. Recommended dosing typically starts at 500 mg taken once or twice a day and is gradually increased until you reach the maintenance dose. For immediate-release tablets, the maximum dose is 850-1000 mg once or twice daily. The maximum dosage for extended-release tablets and liquid solution is 2,000 mg daily.  

• Cost: The average cost of metformin without insurance ranges from as low as $10 per month for tablets to up to $400 per month for the liquid solution. 

• Effectiveness: Metformin can cause some weight loss, although not as much as the GLP-1 drugs. In one study, about 30% of participants with prediabetes lost more than 5% of their body weight in their first year on metformin. 

While semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide are indicated for type 2 diabetes under the brand names Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Victoza, respectively, the active ingredients in these drugs are now available under different brand names for different indications. 

Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide), and Saxenda (liraglutide) are all FDA-approved for weight loss in people with obesity or overweight who have a weight-related health condition like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or obstructive sleep apnea. 

Wegovy

Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but in different dose strengths. 

• Route, form, and dosage:

• Wegovy comes in a self-injectable pen that you inject beneath the skin once per week.

• Wegovy comes in five dose strengths: 0.25 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg. Dosing starts at 0.25 mg and then increases every four weeks, as needed and tolerated, up to 2.4 mg. 

• Cost: Wegovy costs $1349.02 per month without insurance. 

• Effectiveness: In one double-blind trial, participants taking 2.4 mg of semaglutide (the maximum dosage of Wegovy) over 68 weeks lost 14.9% of their body weight. 

Zepbound 

Similar to Mounjaro, Zepbound is a dual-agonist GLP-1/GIP medication. 

• Route, form, and dosage: 

• Zepbound is an injectable medication that you take weekly. It comes as a single-use pen or in a vial that you use with a syringe.

• Zepbound comes in six dose strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. Dosing starts at 2.5 mg once a week and increases to 5 mg once a week after a month, up to a maximum dose of 15 mg once weekly.  

• Cost: Zepbound costs $1059.87 per month without insurance. 

• Effectiveness: The potential weight loss results for Zepbound mirror those reported above for Mounjaro, since they share the same active ingredients and dose strengths. According to that study, at 72 weeks participants lost up to 15% of their body weight at 5 mg, up to 20% at 10 mg, and up to 21% of body weight at the maximum weekly dose (15 mg) of Zepbound. 

Saxenda 

Saxenda shares the same active ingredient as Victoza (liraglutide). 

• Route, form, and dosage: 

• Saxenda comes in a self-injectable pen. Unlike other GLP-1 injections, Saxenda is meant to be taken daily.

• Saxenda comes in five dose strengths: 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, and 3 mg. Dosing starts at 0.6 mg and gradually increases to the maximum maintenance dose of 3 mg/day over about five weeks. 

• Cost: Saxenda costs $1349.02 per month without insurance. 

• Effectiveness: In one randomized trial, 63% of participants taking 3 mg of liraglutide lost 5% of their body weight, and 33% lost more than 10% of their body weight over 56 weeks. 

Ultimately, all these drugs can be effective treatments for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Still, research shows that GLP-1 drugs can produce the most significant weight loss.

• With Saxenda, people can lose about 5-10% of their body weight.

• Wegovy and Ozempic can promote weight loss of up to 12-14% of body weight. 

• With a combo GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist like Mounjaro and Zepbound, people can lose 20% or more of their weight.

All of these medications are FDA-approved and have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy. However, these medications may cause side effects and, in some cases, more serious health complications. 

Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new medication. 

GLP-1 side effects

The most common side effects of the GLP-1 medications include gastrointestinal issues such as: 

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Heartburn

• Abdominal pain

These side effects are typically worse when first starting the medication or changing the dose, but tend to improve once you've been on the drug for a while. Drinking more fluids, taking a fiber supplement, or eating smaller meals can help minimize side effects. 

More serious but less common adverse effects from these medications include:

• Blockage  in the intestine or bile duct

• Gallstones

• Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

These medications also carry a black box warning that they may increase the risk for thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Although this cancer was only found in animal studies of the GLP-1 drugs and not in human studies, anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2 syndrome shouldn't take these medications.

SGLT2 side effects

Some common side effects of SGLT2 inhibitors may include:

• Urinary tract infections

• Certain genital infections in people with vaginas, including bacterial vaginitis, vulvovaginitis, and candidiasis (yeast infection)

• Nausea

• Increased urination

• Constipation

These drugs can also increase the risk of blood vessel (vascular) problems in the legs, which, in extreme cases, could lead to amputation. "Any patients with a history of peripheral arterial disease or any kind of vascular disease should discuss that with their doctor," Dr. Alatassi suggests.

This is not a comprehensive list of side effects from these medications. 

Close supervision from your healthcare provider is critical to understanding and managing any side effects you might experience. For example, Dr. Alatassi sees her patients once a month when they start on these drugs and then once every three months. When a patient reports a side effect, she'll investigate the cause with blood tests.

GLP-1 drugs have the potential to produce impressive weight loss, but what happens if you stop using these medications too soon?

"There are multiple studies that show that interrupting these medications will result in weight regain," Dr. Alatassi says.

You'll likely need to stay on these medicines long-term—typically a year or more— to see significant and sustained weight loss results. Most people will need to take these drugs indefinitely to maintain weight loss and blood sugar control. But, Dr. Alatassi adds, weight-loss drugs are no different than the medicines you might take to manage high blood pressure or diabetes. Obesity is a chronic condition that needs long-term management.

Studies offer evidence of how effective GLP-1 drugs are for weight loss, but how do they work in the real world?

"They're very effective," Dr. Sowa says of the GLP-1 medications. "And with the newer iterations of these drugs, they have become the most effective tool we have in our toolkit in weight management medicine."

We spoke with three people^** who experienced significant weight loss results from these medications.

Breaking the cycle

Before Raleigh-based psychologist Senah Andrews started taking Wegovy in December 2023, food was always on her mind. 

After going on this medicine, "The first thing I noticed was, 'I don't think about food anymore,'" she says. The weight started dropping off almost immediately. She's lost 60 pounds so far and calls her results "amazing." 

"I broke the cycle of all the crazy dieting and yo-yoing," she says. "I just feel like a regular person who didn't have a weight problem."

Managing side effects

Brandon Blakeley, CTO of Mirador Living, went on Ozempic in January 2022. "When I was younger, I had no difficulty managing my weight, but I've found it increasingly difficult as I've gotten older,  so I tried Ozempic to see if it would help," he shares. He dropped 35 pounds, going from 205 down to 170 pounds. 

While he says he did have some nausea before meals while on Ozempic, Blakeley learned how to manage it by mixing fiber (like Metamucil) with water before eating. "That provided enough of a buffer in my stomach to abate the nausea," he says.

Minimizing food noise

Social worker and elder care consultant Bethany J. says she'd attempted every diet, from Noom to Weight Watchers, before starting on semaglutide in June 2024. 

"It has completely killed the ‘food noise,’" she says. "I don't even really crave food, which is kind of nice." She has since lost 45 pounds and dropped three pants sizes.

**Disclaimer: The people interviewed above are not Ro patients and are not affiliated with Ro Health.

Medications are only one part of the treatment for overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. 

"No matter how many medications you take, if you don't get your diet and lifestyle changes in the right direction, then you're going to struggle," Dr. Alatassi says.

Nutritional guidelines from The Obesity Society recommend these dietary changes to help maintain weight loss and prevent malnutrition and muscle loss, which can happen when you take diabetes weight loss drugs:

• Carbohydrates: 135–245 grams a day from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and dairy foods or dairy alternatives (soy milk)

• Fat: 27–58 grams a day from fatty fish (tuna, salmon), seafood, avocado, nuts and seeds, and vegetable oils

• Fiber: 21–25 grams daily for women and 30–38 grams daily for men from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and other legumes, and nuts and seeds

• Protein: 60–75 grams daily from beans and other legumes, nuts and seeds, soy products, seafood, lean meat, poultry, low-fat dairy (milk, yogurt) or dairy alternatives, and eggs

Exercise is the other key component that can help with weight loss and management with GLP-1 drugs (and weight loss in general, for that matter). Dr. Sowa recommends strength training to maintain muscle mass, which is an important part of metabolic health.

Some examples of strength training exercises include lunges, squats, push-ups, or planks. These exercises can be performed without any equipment (using body weight) or with resistance bands or free weights, and all can be modified to suit your fitness level and preferences.

Lifestyle changes

While the weight loss potential of GLP-1s is impressive, these results are not the outcome of medication alone. These medications are meant to be combined with a well-balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise (150 minutes/week) to achieve optimal results. 

Safety

Both GLP-1s and SGLT2 drugs come with the potential for side effects, medication interactions, and other safety precautions and may not be suitable or safe for everyone. 

Cost

GLP-1 medications can also be expensive. 

A one-month supply costs around $1,000 or more in the US without insurance. Many private health insurance plans (as well as Medicare and Medicaid) may not cover diabetes medicine used off-label for weight loss. Drug manufacturers sometimes offer patient assistance programs and savings cards that can help offset the costs of these medications. 

Your health goals and preferences

Whether you’re interested in GLP-1s or SGLT2 Inhibitors, remember that each medicine has different routes of administration, side effects, duration of action, costs, and effects on weight and A1C level. These medications are also meant to be taken long-term, typically for a year or longer. Stopping GLP-1 medications too soon can lead to weight gain or regain, and may impact blood sugar regulation. 

The best diabetes drug for weight loss for you depends on factors like:

• Whether or not you have type 2 diabetes or are a candidate for off-label use

• Your personal and family health history

• Your preference for oral medications versus injectable drugs

• Insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs

• Your tolerance of the side effects 

• Your weight loss and health goals 

If you’re curious about diabetes drugs for weight loss, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you determine the right course of treatment based on your goals, preferences, and personal and family health history. 

Helping people lose weight is just one of many potential health benefits of the GLP-1 medications. These drugs may also be useful for preventing and treating several other conditions, including:

Type 2 diabetes Through their effects on the hormones insulin and glucagon, GLP-1 medicines can keep blood sugar levels under control. These drugs can help people with type 2 diabetes achieve an A1C (a marker of blood sugar control over time) goal of less than 7%. Improved blood sugar control may also benefit people with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is associated with insulin resistance. 

Cardiovascular disease Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy can help reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events and improve symptoms of heart failure. Researchers believe GLP-1 agonists may help the heart by reducing inflammation, improving blood pressure, and promoting weight loss.

Kidney disease Chronic high blood sugar can damage the tiny filters inside the kidneys. By lowering blood sugar, the GLP-1 drugs can help protect the kidneys from this detrimental effect, which may delay or prevent kidney disease and kidney failure.

While more research is needed, GLP-1 drugs may also provide a promising treatment for:

• Alzheimer's disease

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

• Parkinson's disease

• Obstructive sleep apnea

A few exciting new injectable weight loss drugs are working their way down the research pipeline.

Retatrutide

Retatrutide is an agonist for GIP, GLP-1, plus another hormone involved in blood sugar regulation called human glucagon-receptor (GCG). Researchers call it a triple-hormone-receptor agonist. 

In a phase 2 study, people who took a 12 mg dose of retatrutide lost an average of 17.5% of their body weight in six months and 24% of their weight in 48 weeks. 

"It's a step beyond the dual agonists that we have now, like Zepbound. With the tri-agonist medications, we're seeing even more weight loss in a shorter amount of time," Dr. Sowa says.

Pemvidutide

Other notable developments include drugs like pemvidutide. This treatment may help people lose fat without shedding muscle mass, which can happen with current weight loss drugs. 

• Newer diabetes drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists can promote significant weight loss. Certain GLP-1 medications may help people lose up to 20% of their body weight when combined with diet and exercise interventions.

• Some GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved for treating type 2 diabetes but may be prescribed off-label for weight loss. 

• Other GLP-1s like Wegovy and Zepbound are specifically indicated to treat obesity and overweight with related health conditions. 

• Other diabetes drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors and metformin may also be used off-label for weight loss, but results are much more modest. 

• Insurance companies may not cover the cost of diabetes drugs that are prescribed off-label for weight loss. Manufacturers may offer assistance programs to help you pay for these medications.

It’s important to work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider if you're considering one of these drugs for weight loss. Your provider can discuss the pros and cons of each medication for your health history and goals, and discuss important considerations regarding safety and side effects to help you make an informed decision. 

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

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Current version

January 02, 2025

Written by

Stephanie Watson

Fact checked by

Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, MS

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About the medical reviewer

Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, MS

Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, MS, is a physician, health expert, media contributor, and health writer based in the New York City area. She’s a practicing internist as well as a civil surgeon designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.