Frequently asked questions

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists are medications that mimic a natural gut hormone to regulate blood sugar, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite. They are FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes and, in some forms, for chronic weight management.

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) targets the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) targets both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, and shows higher average weight loss in clinical trials (around 21% vs 15% for semaglutide at top doses).

Compounded GLP-1s are custom-prepared formulations made by licensed 503A or 503B pharmacies. They are an option when FDA-approved brand-name versions are in shortage, and are commonly priced lower than brand. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved as finished drugs but the active ingredients are FDA-approved.

Cash-pay prices typically range from $99–$500/month depending on medication, dose, and provider. Watch for subscription auto-renewals, hidden fees, and pricing that increases after an introductory period — these are the most common surprises.

Most patients see early appetite changes within 1–2 weeks and measurable weight loss by 4–8 weeks. Maximum clinical results in trials are typically reached around month 12–18 of consistent use at therapeutic doses.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and headache are the most commonly reported. Most are mild and improve with slow dose titration. See our /side-effects guide for a full breakdown with prevalence rates.

It depends on the provider. Some allow self-serve cancellation; others require contacting support and may auto-renew before you can cancel. We rank providers partly on cancellation friction — see /methodology.

Most do not. A documented, unconditional money-back guarantee is rare in this category — only a handful of providers offer one. Read the fine print: many "guarantees" are conditional on completing months of treatment.

Rankings reflect our editorial methodology across pricing transparency, billing structure (subscription vs not), money-back guarantees, clinical evaluation inclusion, U.S.-based support, shipping speed, and refill flexibility. See /methodology for the full scoring rubric.

GLP-1 medications have been studied for over 15 years and are generally well-tolerated under clinical supervision. They are not for everyone — patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, MEN 2, or active pancreatitis should not use them. Always consult a licensed clinician.