Dr. Benjamin H. Krasne, M.D.
Board-certified physicianBoard-certified in anesthesiology, he reads medications and metabolism with a pharmacologist's eye, which shapes how he doses weight loss and longevity care.
Compare GLP-1 options, prescribed online
GLP-1 prescription online for weight loss
Weekly shots, daily shots and daily pills all fall under the GLP-1 umbrella. This guide compares them, and a free 5–10 minute visit with a licensed clinician helps you choose.
- Free 5–10 minute consultation
- Weekly shots, daily shots or pills
- Plans from $149 a month
Free to book. You pay only if you go ahead with treatment.
$149starting price, per month
Licensed U.S. clinician review
Options: Injections and pills
From $149/motransparent price
5–10 minphone or video
No insuranceneeded
LicensedU.S. clinicians
Why get a GLP-1 prescription through My IV Doctors
Every option on the table
Semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide and GLP-1 pills are all considered, so your clinician can match the medicine to your health and routine.
A plan for your dose
If a GLP-1 is prescribed, you get a step-by-step dose-increase plan for that specific medicine, plus guidance on handling early side effects.
Support to switch
Follow-up visits let you review progress and side effects. If a medicine isn't working for you, your clinician can discuss switching to another option.
Licensed U.S. pharmacies only
Prescriptions go only to licensed U.S. pharmacies. If a compounded medicine is prescribed, you're told plainly that it is not FDA-approved.
How to get a GLP-1 prescription online
- 1
Pick a time for your free visit
You do not need to know which medicine you want. Pick a phone or video slot online.
- 2
Talk with a clinician
In 5–10 minutes a licensed U.S. clinician reviews your weight, conditions, medicines, past GLP-1 use and preferences about shots or pills.
- 3
Get your GLP-1 prescription
If a GLP-1 is appropriate, your clinician recommends a specific medicine and form, explains the cost and prescribes it.
- 4
Increase your dose and check in
Almost every GLP-1 starts low and increases over weeks. Follow-ups adjust the pace and check that the medicine is still the best fit.
Who can get a GLP-1 prescription?
BMI of 30 or higher
Weight-management GLP-1s are approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or more.
BMI of 27 or higher plus a health condition
A BMI of 27 or more with a condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or sleep apnea.
Type 2 diabetes
Several GLP-1 brands, including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Rybelsus, are approved specifically to lower blood sugar.
Obesity with sleep apnea
Zepbound is approved for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
Who shouldn't take a GLP-1
A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2, pregnancy, severe gastroparesis or a history of pancreatitis that needs specialist review. Your clinician screens for each.
GLP-1 medications compared: injections vs. pills
| Medicine | Form | How often | FDA status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) | Injection | Weekly | FDA-approved |
| Semaglutide pills (Wegovy pill, Rybelsus) | Tablet | Daily | FDA-approved |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) | Injection | Weekly | FDA-approved |
| Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza, generics) | Injection | Daily | FDA-approved |
| Orforglipron (Foundayo) | Tablet | Daily | FDA-approved |
| Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide | Varies | Varies | Not FDA-approved |
What is a GLP-1 prescription?
GLP-1 receptor agonists copy a hormone your gut releases when you eat. They tell your brain you are full, slow the emptying of your stomach and help the pancreas release insulin only when blood sugar is high. For weight management, the main effect most people notice is that hunger and food thoughts become quieter.
Several medicines share this action but differ in how often you take them, how strong their effect is and which conditions they are approved for. Semaglutide and liraglutide act on the GLP-1 receptor alone. Tirzepatide also acts on the GIP receptor. Some are weekly injections, one is a daily injection, and there are now daily pills approved for weight management.
There is no single best GLP-1 for everyone. The right choice depends on your health conditions, how you feel about injections, side effects you have had before and cost. A licensed U.S. clinician at My IV Doctors can go through the options with you and prescribe one when it is appropriate.
GLP-1 medications compared: shots vs. pills
Here is a quick map of the options you may hear about. Brand names belong to their manufacturers, and brand medication may cost more than the starting plan price.
- Semaglutide, weekly injection: Wegovy for weight management and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes
- Semaglutide, daily pill: the Wegovy pill for weight management and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes
- Tirzepatide, weekly injection: Zepbound for weight and sleep apnea, Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes; acts on GIP and GLP-1
- Liraglutide, daily injection: Saxenda for weight, Victoza for diabetes, with lower-cost generics available
- Orforglipron, daily pill: Foundayo, a non-peptide GLP-1 pill for weight management
- Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide: prepared by licensed U.S. compounding pharmacies and not FDA-approved
How to choose the right GLP-1 medication
Strength of effect: in their own trials, tirzepatide has generally produced the largest average weight loss, followed by semaglutide, with liraglutide and the pills tending to produce less. Individual responses overlap a lot.
Routine: weekly injections mean one dose a week. Daily pills avoid needles but need to be taken every day, and some have rules about food and water. Daily liraglutide suits people who like a daily habit.
Health conditions: sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes and heart disease each point toward particular medicines with matching approvals. Your clinician will match the medicine to your conditions.
Compounded GLP-1s and research peptides
The FDA has warned that compounded GLP-1 drugs are not reviewed by the agency for safety, effectiveness or quality, and that some people have been hospitalized after measuring doses incorrectly. It has also warned about products sold online as research chemicals or not for human use. We only prescribe through licensed U.S. pharmacies, and if a compounded medicine is prescribed, your clinician tells you plainly that it is not FDA-approved.
GLP-1 side effects and safety
These medicines share a similar safety profile. The details differ slightly by product, and your clinician reviews the label for the one you are prescribed.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation are the most common side effects, especially after dose increases
- Injectable GLP-1s carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents
- Severe, persistent stomach pain can signal pancreatitis or gallbladder disease and needs prompt care
- Low blood sugar is more likely if combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea
- Never take two GLP-1 medicines at the same time
- Tell your anesthesia team you take a GLP-1 before any procedure with sedation
Physicians who oversee your care
Independently licensed U.S. physicians supervise every treatment we offer.
Dr. Johnathan Chance Miller, M.D.
PhysicianTrained at Columbia and Washington University, he pairs prescriptions with practical habits around food, training and sleep.
Dr. Vanessa Niles, R.N., M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
OB-GYN, board certifiedAn OB-GYN for more than 40 years and a Fellow of ACOG, she leads women's health care, from perimenopause to PCOS.
GLP-1 prescription FAQs
Still deciding? The first consultation is free and takes about 5–10 minutes.
Book a free consultationWhat is a GLP-1 prescription?
It is a prescription for a medicine that acts on the GLP-1 hormone receptor, such as semaglutide, tirzepatide or liraglutide. These are used for weight management, type 2 diabetes or both, depending on the brand.
How much does a GLP-1 prescription cost without insurance?
Plans start from $149/mo, and the first consultation is free. The exact price depends on the medicine and dose, and brand medication may cost more; your clinician confirms the total before prescribing.
Which GLP-1 is best for weight loss?
In their own trials, tirzepatide has generally led to the largest average weight loss, followed by semaglutide. But the best medicine for you also depends on side effects, conditions and cost.
Is there a GLP-1 pill for weight loss?
Yes. The Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) and Foundayo (orforglipron) are daily pills approved for weight management. Rybelsus is an oral semaglutide approved for type 2 diabetes.
What's the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Both contain semaglutide. Wegovy is approved for weight management and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, with different dose ranges.
Are compounded GLP-1s the same as brand-name drugs?
No. Compounded versions are made by compounding pharmacies and are not FDA-approved, so the FDA has not reviewed their safety, effectiveness or quality. Brand and generic products are FDA-approved.
Can I switch from one GLP-1 to another?
Yes, with your clinician's guidance. They will choose a safe starting dose for the new medicine based on what you have been taking.
Do I qualify for a GLP-1 prescription?
Usually you need a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition, or a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for the diabetes brands. Your clinician also checks for reasons it would be unsafe.
How long do you have to stay on a GLP-1?
They are designed for long-term use. Many people regain weight after stopping, so plan your long-term approach with your clinician.
What are the most common GLP-1 side effects?
Digestive symptoms such as nausea and constipation are the most common and usually ease over a few weeks. Raising the dose slowly helps.
Do GLP-1s affect birth control pills?
Tirzepatide can make oral contraceptives less reliable after starting and after dose increases. Ask your clinician about backup contraception for the medicine you are prescribed.
What if I cannot take a GLP-1?
There are other options, such as bupropion-naltrexone tablets, depending on your history. Your clinician can talk through alternatives.
Do I need insurance to get a GLP-1 prescription online?
No. You can book and be treated without insurance. Some people use insurance for brand medicines separately; ask your clinician if that applies to you.
Get your GLP-1 prescription with a free consultation
Plans start from $149 a month, and booking is free with no insurance needed. Talk with a licensed clinician for 5–10 minutes by phone or video to find your fit.
Related treatments
References
- FDA: Concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss
- MedlinePlus: Semaglutide injection
- MedlinePlus: Tirzepatide injection
- MedlinePlus: Liraglutide injection
- FDA: Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information
Medically reviewed October 2026. This page is general information and not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. Read our editorial policy.
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