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Common questions
GLP-1 questions, answered
The most common GLP-1 questions in 2026 are about cost, insurance coverage, eligibility, and side effects. Below: 12 clinician-reviewed answers covering Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and compounded options. Each answer cites FDA prescribing info or peer-reviewed sources and is reviewed quarterly.
Eligibility & getting started
Who qualifies for GLP-1 medications and what the prescription pathway looks like.
Who qualifies for GLP-1 weight-management medication?
Wegovy and Zepbound are FDA-approved for adults with BMI ≥30, or BMI ≥27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea). Pediatric approval starts at age 12 for Wegovy.
Do I need to see a doctor in person, or can I do this online?
Telehealth providers like Ro, Hims, MEDVi, and Sequence prescribe GLP-1 medications entirely online. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your intake form, BMI, and medical history, then prescribes if eligible.
Can I take GLP-1s if I have a history of medullary thyroid cancer?
No. GLP-1 medications carry a black-box warning against use in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Cost, insurance, and savings
What you can expect to pay and where to push for coverage.
How much do GLP-1 medications cost without insurance?
Brand-name Wegovy lists at ~$1,199/month and Zepbound at ~$1,059/month. Compounded semaglutide ranges $99-$249/month through telehealth providers. Manufacturer savings cards drop brand prices to $499/month for eligible patients.
Will my insurance cover Wegovy or Zepbound?
Coverage varies by plan. Most commercial plans require prior authorization with documentation of BMI ≥30 and a failed lifestyle-intervention attempt. Medicare does not cover weight-loss-only indications. Medicaid coverage is state-specific.
Is compounded semaglutide still legal?
Personalized compounded semaglutide (different dose or added vitamin) remains legal through licensed 503A pharmacies. Large-scale identical-copy compounding ended when the FDA declared the shortage resolved in 2025.
Side effects and what to expect
The most common issues and how they evolve over the titration schedule.
What are the most common GLP-1 side effects?
The most common are gastrointestinal: nausea (44%), constipation (24%), diarrhea (30%), vomiting (24%), and decreased appetite (35%). These usually appear during dose escalations and improve over 1-4 weeks.
How fast will I lose weight on a GLP-1?
Average trial data: Wegovy patients lost 5.9% body weight at week 16, 13.5% at week 52, and 14.9% at week 68. Zepbound 15mg patients lost 8% at week 16, 19% at week 52, and 20.9% at week 72.
What happens if I stop taking GLP-1 medications?
Studies show patients regain about two-thirds of the lost weight within 1 year of discontinuation. GLP-1s for weight management are designed as long-term therapy, similar to medications for hypertension or hyperlipidemia.
Choosing a provider
How to compare telehealth options and what to look for.
How do you rank GLP-1 telehealth providers?
A weighted formula balances pricing (35%), user experience (25%), medication variety (20%), and insurance acceptance (20%). Variants reweight these for specific intent — "cheapest" puts 70% weight on price.
Do you accept payment to influence rankings?
No. We earn affiliate commissions when readers sign up, but the ranking formula uses identical inputs regardless of payout. Our methodology page documents the formula publicly.
Which provider is best for someone new to GLP-1s?
For most beginners we recommend taking the 5-step quiz — it filters by state, insurance, budget, and priority and returns three personalized matches. If you're entirely insurance-paid, start with providers that handle prior authorizations directly.