GLP-1 medications for weight loss in the US include the FDA-approved injections Wegovy® and Zepbound® and two new daily pills, alongside older prescription options like Contrave®, Qsymia®, phentermine and orlistat. Ozempic® and Mounjaro® are approved for type 2 diabetes, and compounded versions are not FDA-approved at all.
What you'll find here
- Plain-language guides to each medication: how it works, what the trials found and who it is approved for.
- How GLP-1s act on appetite, how long they take to work and what happens when you stop.
- Comparisons such as Foundayo vs Wegovy pill.
- The FDA status of each option, stated precisely and dated.
FDA status at a glance (as of November 2026)
| Medication | Active ingredient | FDA-approved for |
|---|---|---|
| Zepbound® | Tirzepatide | Chronic weight management (2023) |
| Wegovy® | Semaglutide (injection) | Chronic weight management (2021) |
| Wegovy® pill | Oral semaglutide | Chronic weight management (2025) |
| Foundayo® | Orforglipron (oral) | Chronic weight management (2026) |
| Saxenda® | Liraglutide | Chronic weight management (2014) |
| Contrave® | Naltrexone / bupropion | Chronic weight management (2014) |
| Qsymia® | Phentermine / topiramate | Chronic weight management (2012) |
| Phentermine | Phentermine | Short-term weight management; controlled substance |
| Xenical® / Alli® | Orlistat | Weight management (Rx 1999; OTC 2007) |
| Mounjaro® / Ozempic® | Tirzepatide / semaglutide | Type 2 diabetes only (off-label for weight) |
| Compounded semaglutide / tirzepatide | Same ingredient or a different salt form | Not FDA-approved |
Source: FDA approvals and drug labels. The FDA warns that compounded GLP-1s are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality, and that some use salt forms (semaglutide sodium or acetate) that it considers different active ingredients. For a broader overview, see the NIH's page on prescription medications to treat overweight and obesity.
Want a sense of average trial results applied to your weight? Try the GLP-1 weight loss calculator, or check how your BMI compares with label criteria in the BMI calculator.
We describe medications; we never give dosing advice or tell you to start, stop or switch. Only your healthcare provider can decide which option, if any, is right for you. Read our medical disclaimer.
Coming next
- Zepbound vs Wegovy (including Wegovy HD)
- Is compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide safe and legal in 2026?
- Retatrutide: status and gray-market risks
