03/05/2026
GLP Medication Clarification
There’s a lot of information — and confusion — circulating about GLP medications right now. I’ve been getting many questions about semaglutide, tirzepatide, pills vs injections, and newer drugs people are hearing about online, so here’s a quick clarification.
⬇️ Quick breakdown
Semaglutide
💉 Forms: Injection (Wegovy / Ozempic); oral versions studied for weight management
⚙️ Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist
📉 Average weight loss: ~15% with injections; ~13–14% with oral versions in trials
📌 Notes: Oral forms require strict dosing instructions (empty stomach, small sip of water, then wait before eating or taking other medications)
💰 Typical self-pay:
• Manufacturer programs: ~$199–$349/month injection, $149–$299/month pill depending on dose
• Compounded versions (varies widely): ~$200–$400/month
Tirzepatide
💉 Form: Injection only (Mounjaro / Zepbound)
⚙️ Mechanism: Dual hormone agonist (GLP-1 + GIP)
📉 Average weight loss: ~20–22.5% in clinical trials
📌 Notes: No approved oral tirzepatide option currently
💰 Typical self-pay:
• Manufacturer programs: ~$299–$449/month depending on dose
• Compounded versions (varies widely): ~$300–$600/month
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Still in development
💊 Orforglipron: oral GLP-1 medication being studied (~6–8% weight loss in early trials)
💉 Retatrutide: triple-agonist injection (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon) showing ~24–29% weight loss in early studies
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There’s understandably a lot of misinformation circulating about these medications.
Information only — results vary and treatment decisions should always be individualized with a qualified medical professional.
If you’ve been hearing different things about these medications, what questions do you have?
If you’d like to talk through your specific goals and options, we can also schedule a consult.