What is a GLP-1 medication?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your intestine releases every time you eat. It tells your brain you are full, slows your stomach’s emptying, and helps your pancreas release insulin when blood sugar rises. The natural hormone is destroyed in about two minutes — far too briefly to affect your weight. GLP-1 medications are engineered versions of that hormone built to last about a week per dose. The sustained signal suppresses appetite powerfully enough that most people eat 20–35% fewer calories without feeling deprived, which is what drives the weight loss. The family includes: - Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) — the most-prescribed; ≈15% average weight loss in trials - Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) — adds a second hormone pathway (GIP); up to ≈21% average loss - Liraglutide (Saxenda) — older, daily, ≈8% loss; available as a generic - Compounded, sublingual, and oral forms of the above, plus pipeline molecules like retatrutide They are prescription medications with real contraindications (thyroid cancer history, pregnancy, pancreatitis history among them) — not supplements. For the full mechanism story, see how GLP-1s work.