Updated · United States & Canada

GLP-1, weight-loss and diabetes medicines — explained clearly

Approvals, label dosing, side effects, costs and the legal ways to get every GLP-1, incretin and insulin medicine in the United States and Canada.

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What is a GLP-1?

A GLP-1 receptor agonist is a medicine that mimics the gut hormone GLP-1: it raises insulin after meals, lowers glucagon, slows stomach emptying and reduces appetite. Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) are the best known; all are prescription-only in the US and Canada. Read the full answer →

How GLP-1 medicines workGLP-1 medicines raise insulin after meals, lower glucagon, slow stomach emptying and reduce appetite.1More insulinreleased after meals,only when sugar is high2Less glucagonso the liver makesless sugar3Slower stomachfood leaves the stomachmore slowly4Less appetitethe brain signalsfullness sooner
The four main actions of GLP-1 receptor agonists, as described on their labels.

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GLP-1 & incretin medicinesWegovy (injection)semaglutide · Once weeklyGLP-1 & incretin medicinesZepboundtirzepatide · Once weeklyGLP-1 & incretin medicinesOzempic (injection)semaglutide · Once weeklyGLP-1 & incretin medicinesMounjarotirzepatide · Once weeklyGLP-1 & incretin medicinesWegovy pilloral semaglutide 25 mg · Once dailyGLP-1 & incretin medicinesFoundayoorforglipron · Once daily

What changed in 2026

  1. Ozempic tablets replace Rybelsus as the name for oral semaglutide in diabetes.
  2. Wegovy HD 7.2 mg approved.
  3. Awiqli, the first once-weekly insulin, approved in the US.
  4. Foundayo (orforglipron) approved — a weight-loss pill with no fasting rule.
  5. Canada became the first G7 country with generic semaglutide.

Explore by topic

TopicSemaglutide — the complete guideTopicTirzepatide — Mounjaro and ZepboundTopicDiabetes injections — every optionTopicWeight loss injections and pillsTopicInsulin — types, brands and how they differ

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Line up dosing schedules, approvals and availability for any pair — from Wegovy vs Zepbound to Lantus vs Tresiba.

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CompareOzempic vs Wegovy: same drug, different jobsCompareWegovy vs Zepbound: semaglutide vs tirzepatide for weight lossCompareWegovy pill vs Foundayo: the two weight-loss pills comparedCompareMounjaro vs Ozempic for type 2 diabetesCompareSaxenda vs Wegovy: daily liraglutide vs weekly semaglutide

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GuideHow to buy GLP-1 medicines legally in the USAGuideHow to buy GLP-1 medicines legally in CanadaGuideGLP-1 cost without insurance (US, 2026)GuideCompounded, research-peptide and counterfeit GLP-1s: the risks
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Where our facts come from

Every page is written from official labels and regulators, carries its review date, and is signed by our editor, Dr. George Grunberger. We never sell medicines.

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