GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about GLP-1 medications, how they work, semaglutide vs tirzepatide, what side effects to expect, what they actually cost, and how to start treatment safely through a real US-licensed physician.
Reviewed by the Majesta Health Medical Team · Updated June 2026
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Compounded Semaglutide: The 2026 Complete Guide
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What is a GLP-1 medication?
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone your body makes naturally every time you eat. It tells your stomach to slow down, your brain that you're full, and your blood sugar to stay balanced. For people who've struggled with weight, this signal often doesn't work as well as it should.
GLP-1 medications give your body a stronger version of that natural signal. People on these medications often describe their hunger as quieter and the constant "food noise" finally calming down. Once-weekly injections like semaglutide and tirzepatide have helped millions of people lose meaningful, sustained weight.
These medications are FDA-approved (under brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound), and through licensed telehealth providers like Majesta Health, you can also access affordable compounded versions from $179 your first month.
Browse by topic
Every guide is reviewed by the Majesta Health Medical Team and written in plain English, no jargon, no scare tactics, just the answers you need.
GLP-1 Basics. Start here
What GLP-1 medications are, how they work, and who they help.
Comparisons. Pick the right one
Tirzepatide vs semaglutide. Wegovy vs Zepbound. Compounded vs brand. Honest breakdowns.
Side Effects. What to expect
Honest information about side effects, how to manage them, and when to call your doctor.
Cost & Access. The real numbers
What GLP-1 actually costs, the cheapest legitimate options, and how to spot scams.
Living with GLP-1. Day-to-day
Diet tips, expected timelines, milestones, and what to do when results plateau.
GLP-1 telehealth by state
State-licensed physicians and discreet shipping. Find out what GLP-1 looks like in your state.
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Frequently asked questions about GLP-1 medications
The questions Majesta patients ask most. Each answer cites clinical sources where applicable.
What are GLP-1 weight loss medications?
GLP-1 medications are glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. They mimic a natural gut hormone that signals fullness, slows stomach emptying, and lowers blood sugar. The two most common active ingredients in 2026 are semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound, which is also a GIP receptor agonist). Both are approved by the FDA in their brand-name form for type 2 diabetes or chronic weight management depending on the product. Compounded versions are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies under a physician prescription for an individual patient. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved as final products, and the active pharmaceutical ingredient is FDA-registered.
How much do GLP-1 medications cost in 2026?
Brand-name Wegovy and Zepbound run around $1,000 to $1,400 a month at retail without insurance. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide through telehealth typically cost $179 to $499 a month depending on dose, format, and provider. Through Majesta Health, you have three plans: Express sublingual semaglutide at $179 your first month and $249 a month after, Essential semaglutide injection at $179 first month and $299 a month after, and Performance tirzepatide injection at $329 first month and $399 a month after. Every plan includes physician consultation, medication, and shipping.
Is compounded semaglutide the same as Ozempic or Wegovy?
Compounded semaglutide and brand-name semaglutide use the same active pharmaceutical ingredient (semaglutide). They are not the same final product. Brand-name Ozempic (for diabetes) and Wegovy (for chronic weight management) are FDA-approved finished drugs manufactured by Novo Nordisk under specific commercial formulations. Compounded semaglutide is prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy under a physician prescription for an individual patient and may include other agents such as B12 depending on the formulation. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved as final products. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is FDA-registered.
What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist only. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning it acts on two gut hormone pathways instead of one. In the head-to-head SURMOUNT-5 trial published in 2025, tirzepatide produced greater average weight reduction than semaglutide over 72 weeks in adults with obesity who did not have diabetes. Side effect profiles are similar (mostly gastrointestinal: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and fatigue, particularly during dose escalation). Tirzepatide is typically more expensive in both brand-name and compounded forms. Which one is right depends on your medical history, dose tolerance, budget, and physician recommendation.
What are the most common GLP-1 side effects?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and reduced appetite. Most are mild to moderate, peak during dose escalation, and improve over weeks. Less common but serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar (especially in patients on insulin or sulfonylureas), kidney problems, and a boxed warning in the brand-name labels about thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent studies, with human relevance unknown. Stop and contact your physician for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, vision changes, or symptoms of allergic reaction.
Who qualifies for GLP-1 weight loss treatment through telehealth?
Eligibility is determined by a US-licensed physician based on your medical history, current medications, and weight loss goals. Typical clinical considerations include body mass index (commonly 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition, or 30 or higher), absence of contraindications such as personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, no history of pancreatitis, and no pregnancy or planned pregnancy in the near term. Through Majesta, you complete a 2-minute assessment, a US-licensed physician reviews your file, and approval and the right plan are decided together. There is no charge to start the assessment. A $20 medical consultation fee applies only if a licensed physician reviews and approves treatment.
How long does it take to see results on GLP-1 medications?
Most patients experience reduced appetite and earlier satiety within the first 1 to 2 weeks. Measurable weight reduction typically begins by week 4 and accelerates between months 3 and 6 as the dose escalates. The largest average weight reduction in the STEP-1 trial of semaglutide and the SURMOUNT-1 trial of tirzepatide was reached between months 6 and 9 of consistent treatment, which is why the Majesta Month 6 medication included benefit exists on every plan. Results vary by individual based on dose, adherence, diet, activity, sleep, and genetics. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved as final products.
Can you get GLP-1 medication online safely and legally?
Yes, when treatment is provided by a US-licensed physician licensed in your state, with medication dispensed by a state-licensed pharmacy that holds NABP accreditation and LegitScript certification, on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Red flags to avoid: any provider selling GLP-1 without a physician prescription, pharmacies based outside the United States, sites that ask you to skip a medical assessment, and any site advertising specific guaranteed weight loss numbers (which violates FTC and FDA advertising rules). Majesta Health uses US-licensed physicians in every state we serve, dispenses through state-licensed pharmacies with NABP and LegitScript credentials, and operates on a HIPAA-compliant platform.
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