Weight Loss Injections: What You Need to Know

Weight loss can be a challenge, even for those who eat healthily and exercise regularly. Injectable weight loss medications — also known as GLP-1 and GIP injections — can help when lifestyle changes aren’t enough.

Weight loss injections are considered safe and effective for most people with obesity or excess weight. Still, like all medications, they can cause unwanted side effects — like nausea, constipation, and heartburn —  that typically subside within a few weeks.

Ahead, discover all the details you should know when considering weight loss injections.

Weight loss injections are prescription medications administered through the skin with a small needle to help with weight loss and weight management.

Injectable medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for obesity and overweight include:

• Wegovy^® (active ingredient semaglutide)

• Saxenda^® (active ingredient liraglutide)

• Zepbound^® (active ingredient tirzepatide)

There are also injections approved for type 2 diabetes that contain the active ingredient semaglutide. These meds are sometimes prescribed off-label to support weight loss.

When a medication is prescribed off-label, it means it’s approved by the FDA for a particular use, but a healthcare provider prescribes it to treat something else. This is a legal — and common — practice for many medications.

Diabetes injections prescribed off-label for weight loss include:

• Ozempic^® (semaglutide)

• Victoza^® (liraglutide)

• Mounjaro^® (tirzepatide)

Most diabetes and weight loss injections are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

These medications mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which is made in your gastrointestinal tract when you eat. The GLP-1 hormone is linked to:

• Reduced appetite

• Feelings of fullness

• Insulin production, which lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels

Although these medications have shown promise with weight loss, they’re not a replacement for eating well and exercising. Weight loss injections are meant to be used alongside healthy lifestyle changes, like following a nutritious eating plan and getting plenty of exercise.

Weight loss injections are taken either once a week or once daily — either way, you give yourself the shots at home.

There are a few different weight loss injections. We’ll go over the most common ones below.

Semaglutide Weight Loss Injections

You’re probably familiar with one semaglutide brand name: Ozempic^®. Other brand names for semaglutide include Wegovy^® and Rybelsus^® (the latter is taken orally daily, while the other two are injected once a week).

Ozempic is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, but it’s sometimes prescribed off-label to help with weight loss. Wegovy^®, on the other hand, is approved for weight loss in people with obesity or those with overweight and an obesity-related health condition, like high blood pressure (hypertension).

Ozempic and Wegovy^® are GLP-1 receptor agonists. They mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which affects the parts of the brain responsible for regulating appetite.

Ozempic was approved by the FDA in 2017, while Wegovy^® was granted approval in 2021.

Liraglutide Weight Loss Injections

Liraglutide is the active ingredient in Saxenda and Victoza.

Like Ozempic and Wegovy^®, liraglutide is an injected GLP-1 receptor agonist that can suppress appetite and regulate hunger hormones. One difference is that liraglutide weight loss injections are injected once daily as opposed to weekly.

Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight management in people with obesity. Victoza is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, but it’s sometimes used off-label for weight loss.

Weight Loss by Hers offers access to affordable, generic liraglutide injections.

Tirzepatide Weight Loss Injections

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Like Ozempic, Mounjaro is FDA-approved as a diabetes medication. It can help folks with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar levels. Mounjaro is also sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss, while Zepbound is FDA-approved for weight loss.

Beyond being a GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide is also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. It’s known as a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist.

In simpler terms, this medication targets two receptors in the body, whereas semaglutide injections only target one.

The GLP-1 receptor agonist component works the same way it does in semaglutide: by reducing hunger and promoting feelings of fullness.

The GIP receptor agonist part works very similarly, mimicking the GIP hormone, which is also released after eating to trigger insulin production. It’s also linked with feelings of fullness.

Together, the GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists can produce a reduced appetite that leads to reduced food intake — according to an Eli Lilly-sponsored study (the manufacturer of Mounjaro and Zepbound). And at the risk of stating the obvious, these effects promote weight loss.

You’ll need a prescription to get injections that help with weight loss. You may be able to get a prescription from a healthcare provider in person or through certain telehealth platforms.

Though the process of getting GLP-1 injections for weight loss varies by provider, they’ll typically ask you a few basic questions and calculate your BMI (body mass index).

This calculation is based on your height and weight. It’s not perfect, but BMI can offer a basic idea of body fat composition and whether a person falls within the overweight or obesity categories.

As for telehealth platforms, you can use platforms like Hers to connect with a healthcare provider and access a range of weight loss treatments online, if eligible.

Weight Loss by Hers

Hers offers access to safe and affordable weight loss treatment.

So, here’s how Weight Loss through Hers works:

1. Online assessment. You’ll start by completing an online intake and answer questions about your weight loss goals, lifestyle habits, and medical history.

2. Clinician evaluation. After submitting your assessment, a licensed healthcare provider trained in weight management will review your responses to determine if you’re eligible for treatment. There’s usually no video consultation needed, though some states may require it.

3. Prescription and treatment plan. If eligible, a provider will write you a prescription for weight loss medication, and you’ll get a personalized weight loss treatment plan.

4. Direct shipping. Medications are shipped to you in discreet packaging at no extra charge. You’ll get everything you need to start treatment, including injection supplies (if applicable) and instructions.

5. Unlimited ongoing care. You’ll have ongoing check-ins and provider support to address concerns, help manage any early side effects, and monitor progress. You can do all of this online through a web browser or through the Hers app. There’s also a feature for 24/7 messaging with your care team.

Speaking of the Hers app, it’ll give you access to a variety of habit trackers, behavioral change tools, and expert guidance to support sustainable, long-term, healthy weight loss.

Here are some of the resources you can access through the Hers app:

• Dynamic protocols to support improved nutrition, physical activity, and sleep-based habits for sustained weight loss

• In-app sleep and mindset techniques developed by psychologists to improve sleep quality

• Daily protein recommendations to help you maintain lean muscle mass while taking weight loss medication

• Daily activity goals to get regular movement while taking medication

• More than 100 nutritionist-developed healthy recipes and meal plans

• Healthy eating tips tailored to your unique eating pattern (like emotional eating or automatic eating)

You can also purchase doctor-recommended, high-protein meal replacement shakes and bars through Hers. These meal-replacement options are designed to support folks taking weight loss medications by helping you:

• Up your protein and essential nutrient intake

• Stay full longer and curb snacking

• Eat a consistent amount of daily calories

• Preserve lean muscle mass by adding more protein

• Prioritize healthy eating in a busy schedule

As for pricing, there are no additional costs for the initial assessment, app, check-ins, prescription adjustments, shipping, or ongoing access to healthcare providers. All of this is included in the monthly price of your treatment plan.

You also don’t need insurance to access weight loss treatment through Hers.

But if you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), it might help bring the cost down. When using FSA or HSA funds, people save about 30 percent on average, but it depends on your plan and tax rate.

GLP-1s through Hers are eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement (check your plan for details).

Even though GLP-1s are safe for most people, there are some side effects to keep in mind. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, particularly nausea and diarrhea. You may also experience vomiting and constipation.

Over five percent of people experience nausea and diarrhea on semaglutide and liraglutide. These adverse reactions also affect up to 10 percent of those who use tirzepatide. Other possible side effects of GLP-1s include:

• Dizziness

• Fatigue 

• Headaches

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

• Indigestion 

• Mild tachycardia (fast heart rate)

• Itching or redness at the injection site

Some people manage nausea, diarrhea, and headaches with over-the-counter medication and home remedies like ginger tea during the first couple of weeks while they adjust to the meds. There are also prescription anti-nausea options you can discuss with your healthcare provider. 

There’s also a risk that weight loss injections can cause more serious health problems. Although these issues are rare, they’re possible.

Some risks can include:

• Allergic reaction to the drug

• Gallbladder disease

• Kidney issues

• Pancreatitis

• Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)

• Thyroid cancer

Weight loss injections also have certain contraindications, meaning healthcare providers may not recommend them for some people.

Liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide might not be a good fit if you have:

• Type 1 diabetes

• Diabetic retinopathy

• A history of pancreatitis.

• Gallstones or other gallbladder diseases.

• Kidney disease

• Family or personal history of thyroid tumors, especially medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)

These medications may increase the risk of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). Clinical trials have shown that they can cause an increase in thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, but this observation hasn’t been made in human studies.

There isn’t much research on how safe weight loss injections are during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In some cases, a healthcare provider will determine whether a medication is worth prescribing when the benefits outweigh the potential risks (treating diabetes, for example).

Also, since weight loss injections delay gastric emptying, they might affect how your body processes medications, such as contraceptive pills. Discuss your current medications with a healthcare professional, as it might be necessary to use a different type of contraceptive (like condoms) while using weight loss injections.

Another thing to keep in mind is that, like other methods of weight loss, weight can be regained after using weight loss injections. 

In a 2022 study sponsored by Novo Nordisk, participants gained most of their lost weight back after stopping semaglutide for a year. These people regained an average of two‐thirds of their prior weight loss, highlighting the importance of ongoing treatment and lifestyle changes.

There isn’t one single best injection for weight loss for ongoing at-home use. The best weight loss treatment for you will depend on your health, body, and lifestyle.

Having said that, there’s some research comparing weight loss injections against each other.

For instance, one 2022 trial compared the weight loss effects of Wegovy^® with Saxenda.

This clinical trial looked at 338 adults who had obesity or overweight but not diabetes. Participants received counseling for diet and physical activity as well as either Wegovy^® or Saxenda injections.

The study found that once-weekly Wegovy^® injections were more effective for weight loss than once-daily Saxenda injections. On average, participants lost 15.8 percent of their body weight with Wegovy^® and 6.4 percent of their body weight with Saxenda over 68 weeks.

What About Tirzepatide?

A 40-week trial sponsored by Eli Lilly looked at the effects of tirzepatide versus semaglutide in almost 1,900 people with type 2 diabetes.

Although the goal of the trial wasn’t to measure weight loss, the researchers noted that participants who used tirzepatide lost more weight than those who used semaglutide.

If you’re wondering about side effects, the story is slightly different.

The same study from Eli Lilly also found that five to seven percent of patients who used tirzepatide experienced serious side effects, as opposed to only three percent of those who got semaglutide.

Still, more research should be done before there’s an official consensus on which weight loss injection is safest and most effective. As always, medications can be tolerated differently by different people.

Cost is another thing you may want to factor into the decision.

Typically, a one-month supply of brand-name weight loss injections costs:

• Ozempic: $1,075

• Wegovy^®: $1,450 

• Mounjaro: $1,163

• Victoza: $590

• Saxenda: $1,450

• Zepbound: $1,170

These prices can vary depending on the pharmacy you visit and the dosage you’re prescribed.

And there are a few things to keep in mind when considering cost.

First, weight loss medications are meant to be taken continuously, so think about your long-term plans and health goals.

Second, health insurance policies seldom cover weight loss injections. Most insurance companies don’t currently cover new weight loss medications, including treatments like semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide. But they might cover medications prescribed for diabetes.

Weight Loss by Hers

Hers offers access to safe and affordable weight loss treatment, including GLP-1 injections like Wegovy^® and Ozempic.

Depending on your treatment plan, you may also be eligible for ondansetron (generic Zofran^®, prescription anti-nausea med) at no additional cost. It can be taken as directed to ease nausea and help you stick with your plan. 

So, here’s how weight loss through Hers works: 

1. Online assessment. You’ll start by completing an online intake and answer questions about your weight loss goals, lifestyle habits, and medical history.

2. Clinician evaluation. After submitting your assessment, a licensed healthcare provider trained in weight management will review your responses to determine if you qualify for treatment. There’s usually no video consultation required, though some states may require it.

3. Prescription and treatment plan. If eligible, a provider will write you a prescription for weight loss medication, and you’ll get a personalized weight loss treatment plan. 

4. Direct shipping. Medications are shipped to you in discreet packaging at no extra charge. You’ll get everything you need to start treatment, including injection supplies and instructions (if applicable).

5. Unlimited ongoing care. You’ll have ongoing check-ins and provider support to address concerns, help manage any early side effects, and monitor progress. You can do all of this online through a web browser or on the Hers app. There’s also a feature for 24/7 messaging with the care team.

Speaking of the Hers app, it’ll give you access to a variety of habit trackers, behavioral change tools, and expert guidance to support sustainable, long-term, healthy weight loss. 

Here are some of the resources you can access on the Hers app: 

• Dynamic protocols to support improved nutrition, physical activity, and sleep-based habits for sustained weight loss

• In-app sleep and mindset techniques developed by psychologists to improve sleep quality

• Daily protein recommendations to help you maintain lean muscle mass while taking weight loss medication 

• Daily activity goals to achieve regular movement while taking medication

• More than 100 nutritionist-developed healthy recipes and meal plans

• Healthy eating tips tailored to your unique eating pattern (like emotional eating or automatic eating)

You can also get doctor-recommended high-protein meal replacement shakes and bars through Hers. These meal replacement options are designed to support folks taking weight loss medications by helping you: 

• Up your protein and essential nutrient intake

• Stay full longer and curb snacking

• Eat a consistent amount of daily calories

• Preserve lean muscle mass by adding more protein 

• Prioritize healthy eating in a busy schedule 

As for pricing, there are no additional costs for the initial assessment, app, check-ins, prescription adjustments, shipping, or ongoing access to healthcare providers. All of these are included in the monthly price of your treatment plan. 

You also don’t need insurance to get weight loss treatment through Hers. 

But if you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), it might help bring the costs down. When using FSA/HSA funds, people save, on average, about 30 percent. GLP-1s through Hers are eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement (check your plan for details). 

Losing weight can be a challenging and complicated process, especially if you have a health condition that affects your metabolism.

Given the media hype around medications like Ozempic, Victoza, and Mounjaro, it’s no surprise there are lots of questions and concerns around how these meds work.

Here’s what to keep in mind about type 2 diabetes medications used to support weight loss and weight loss injections:

• Weight loss injections are safe and effective when used as prescribed. GLP-1s are usually prescribed alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.

• Some injectables are FDA-approved for weight loss, and others are used off-label for weight loss. FDA-approved weight loss medications include Wegovy^® (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Type 2 diabetes injectables are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight management. These include Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). 

• These injections work by mimicking hormones that reduce appetite. Semaglutide and liraglutide are both GLP-1s and tirzepatide is a GIP/GLP-1. They both work by decreasing your cravings and helping you stick to healthier eating habits.

• There are side effects of weight loss injections to be aware of. Nausea and diarrhea are common with weight loss injections. Rarer (but more serious) health risks include kidney issues and pancreatitis.

All medications have potential side effects. A healthcare professional can help determine which weight loss medications will be safest for you.

If you’d like extra support, we can connect you with a healthcare provider to chat about potential solutions.

If you think you might be a good candidate, get started on our telehealth platform to explore new weight loss injections and other products to support your journey.

Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S.