Approved uses · FDA-approved
What obesity is, and why weight is defended
Body weight is actively defended by the body. That defense is well evidenced, and what remains debated is the model that explains it rather than whether it happens. It is the reason weight lost through eating less is so often regained, and it is why obesity is treated as a chronic condition rather than a question of effort.
How GLP-1 medications work for obesity and weight
The weight effect comes from appetite signaling, and it is a separate mechanism from the blood sugar one. You feel full sooner, you stay full longer, and for many people the constant thinking about food quiets down. In the trial of once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity, average weight loss was about 15% of body weight over 68 weeks alongside lifestyle support.
Some of the weight lost on any weight loss approach is lean mass rather than fat, which is why protein intake matters during weight loss and why muscle health on these medications is an active area of study. The side effects page covers the practical targets.
Work through your own numbers
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Other approved uses
Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Sleep Apnea, Fatty Liver Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease.
Approval is specific to individual products, so a use listed here does not mean every GLP-1 medication carries it. Compare the medications to see how they differ, and take the question to your prescriber.