Introduction

GLP-1 medications have completely changed the landscape of weight loss treatment.
In 2025, patients now have several powerful options, including Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, and others—all designed to help regulate appetite, control blood sugar, and promote long-term weight loss.

But how do these medications stack up against each other?
This updated guide breaks down the best GLP-1 options for weight loss, including how much weight you can expect to lose, side effects, dosing differences, and cost.

Quick Overview: Best GLP-1s for Weight Loss (2025)

Medication	Active Ingredient	FDA Approval	Average Weight Loss	Dosing
Zepbound	Tirzepatide	Obesity (2023)	Up to 22.5%	Weekly
Wegovy	Semaglutide	Obesity (2021)	~15%	Weekly
Ozempic	Semaglutide	Diabetes (Off-label for weight loss)	10–15%	Weekly
Saxenda	Liraglutide	Obesity (2014)	5–8%	Daily

1. Zepbound – The New King of Weight Loss

FDA-approved for obesity (2023)
Dual-action (GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist)
Highest average weight loss (~22.5% of body weight)

Key Benefits:

• Greater appetite suppression
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• More powerful metabolic reset

Downsides:

• Newer medication = insurance coverage still growing
• Mild nausea and digestive side effects at dose escalation

Clinical Study: SURMOUNT-1 Trial

2. Wegovy – Trusted, Proven, and Widely Used

FDA-approved for weight loss
Well-studied in diverse populations
15%+ average body weight loss

Key Benefits:

• Strong results with once-weekly dosing
• Growing insurance coverage for obesity treatment
• Well-established safety profile

Downsides:

• Supply shortages (2022–2024) impacted availability in some areas
• Side effects like nausea and constipation, especially early on

Clinical Study: STEP-1 Wegovy Trial

3. Ozempic – Off-Label Star for Weight Loss

FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes
Commonly prescribed off-label for weight loss
Similar ingredient (semaglutide) as Wegovy, at lower doses

Key Benefits:

• More insurance coverage if you have diabetes or prediabetes
• Lower initial cost for some patients compared to Wegovy

Downsides:

• Not officially approved for weight loss
• Slightly lower weight loss (~10–15%) compared to Wegovy

Tip: Some patients start on Ozempic to lower costs while waiting for Wegovy or Zepbound approval.

4. Saxenda – Older, But Still Useful for Some

FDA-approved for weight loss
Available since 2014

Key Benefits:

• Daily dosing may help patients needing a slower titration
• May be covered by insurance if other GLP-1s are excluded

Downsides:

• Requires daily injections
• Less weight loss compared to newer GLP-1s (5–8%)
• Higher nausea rates reported in early studies

Clinical Study: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes Trial

Side Effects Across All GLP-1s

Side Effect	Common?
Nausea	(especially early)
Diarrhea or constipation
Fatigue or headache
Gallbladder issues	(low risk)
Pancreatitis (rare)	Rare
Thyroid tumor warning (animals)	Very rare

Slow titration (gradually increasing your dose) can significantly reduce side effect severity.

Cost Comparison (U.S. vs Canada)

Medication	U.S. Retail Price	Canadian Price Estimate
Zepbound	~$1,060/month	~$450–$500/month
Wegovy	~$1,300/month	~$500–$600/month
Ozempic	~$900–$1,200/month	~$419/month
Saxenda	~$1,200/month	~$515–$700/month

Canadian pharmacies can save you 40–60% compared to U.S. retail.

Learn about personal importation laws: FDA Drug Importation Policy.

Which GLP-1 Should You Start With?

Choose Zepbound if:

• You want maximum weight loss results
• You have insulin resistance or higher BMI

Choose Wegovy if:

• You qualify through BMI and comorbidities
• Your insurance covers FDA-approved weight loss meds

Choose Ozempic if:

• You have diabetes or prediabetes
• You want a lower-cost starting point

Choose Saxenda if:

• You prefer daily injections
• Newer GLP-1s aren’t covered by your insurance

Final Thoughts

GLP-1 medications have revolutionized weight loss by targeting the root causes of obesity—hormonal imbalance, appetite dysregulation, and metabolic resistance.

Zepbound leads in total weight loss
Wegovy offers trusted, wide-ranging effectiveness
Ozempic is a strong, accessible off-label option
Saxenda is a proven alternative for daily injection users

For a custom guide based on your insurance, goals, and budget, visit our GLP-1 Weight Loss Center.