The word “peptides” might give you flashbacks to chemistry class or make you think of the latest skincare trends. But you’ve probably also heard of peptide medications, like GLP-1s, including Ozempic® and Wegovy®.
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Key Takeaways:
Peptides are compounds made of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
The most common peptides for weight loss are GLP-1 medications, like semaglutide and tirzepatide.
If you have obesity or overweight, GLP-1s may help you lose weight and improve your overall health.
These are prescription treatments, so ask your healthcare provider if they might be right for you.
The word “peptides” might give you flashbacks to chemistry class or make you think of the latest skincare trends. But you’ve probably also heard of peptide medications, like GLP-1s, including Ozempic® and Wegovy®.
GLP-1s can suppress appetite and help people with obesity and overweight lose weight.
Our guide to peptides for weight loss goes over how they work, the best options, and the side effects to know about.
Peptides are compounds made of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Some peptides are naturally made in your body, and others come from food or medications.
As for peptides for weight loss, you might have heard of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy®.
These medications are types of peptides. They can be effective at helping people lose weight who have a body mass index (BMI) in the obesity or overweight category.
The most common peptide medications for weight loss are GLP-1s.
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking the action of GLP-1, a natural hormone made in your gut when you eat. These drugs slow down how fast food moves from your stomach to your small intestine (gastric emptying), which helps you feel fuller for longer.
GLP-1 medications also act on parts of your brain involved in appetite regulation. This can lead to:
Reduced hunger
Fewer food cravings
Lower preference for high-calorie, not-so-nutritious foods
These changes in appetite can help you eat more nutritious foods and avoid overeating, promoting sustainable weight loss. They can also help prevent weight gain after reaching a healthy body weight.
Most GLP-1 receptor agonists are under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injections. They’re prescribed alongside lifestyle changes, like eating a nutritious diet and doing more daily movement, to maximize weight loss.
The best peptides for weight loss include GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide.
Here’s a rundown.
Drug | Active Ingredient | FDA-Approved For |
|---|---|---|
Ozempic® | Semaglutide | Type 2 diabetes |
Rybelsus® | Semaglutide | Type 2 diabetes |
Wegovy® | Semaglutide | Weight loss |
Mounjaro® | Tirzepatide | Type 2 diabetes |
Zepbound® | Tirzepatide | Weight loss |
Victoza® | Liraglutide | Type 2 diabetes |
Saxenda® | Liraglutide | Weight loss |
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic®, a once-weekly injection approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.
Rybelsus® contains semaglutide and is an oral peptide for weight loss, taken as a once-daily tablet. It’s also FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe Ozempic® and Rybelsus® off-label for weight loss.
Finally, Wegovy® also contains semaglutide and is FDA-approved to help people with obesity or overweight who have a weight-related condition lose weight and maintain their weight long-term.
Weight-related health conditions include:
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol (dyslipidemia)
Type 2 diabetes
Sleep apnea
A study sponsored by Novo Nordisk — the manufacturer of Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus® — found that a 2.4-milligram (mg) weekly injection of semaglutide led to an average weight loss of about 15 percent over 68 weeks.
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection. It’s a GLP-1 and a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) drug. This means it targets two hormone receptors instead of one.
It’s sold under the brand names Mounjaro® and Zepbound®. The former is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, and the latter is approved for weight loss and long-term weight management. Zepbound® is also FDA-approved to treat moderate-to-severe sleep apnea in people with sleep apnea and obesity.
Research sponsored by Eli Lilly — the manufacturer of Mounjaro® and Zepbound® — found that taking 15 mg of tirzepatide weekly led to an average weight loss of about 21 percent over 72 weeks.
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 medication. The big difference between liraglutide vs. semaglutide and tirzepatide is that liraglutide is a daily injection rather than a weekly shot.
Liraglutide is the active ingredient in Victoza® (FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda® (approved for weight loss). Liraglutide is also available as a generic medication.
A clinical trial sponsored by Novo Nordisk — which also makes Victoza® and Saxenda® — found that 3 mg of liraglutide led to an average weight loss of about 8 percent over 56 weeks.
There are potential side effects and risks of taking peptide shots for weight loss.
The most common side effects of GLP-1s are gastrointestinal side effects, like:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Abdominal pain
These side effects tend to be mild to moderate and get better with time. They’re most common when you first start a GLP-1 and when your dose increases.
Peptide medications come with a few rare risks. For example, in rare cases, Wegovy® may cause:
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Acute gallbladder disease
Severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions
Acute kidney injury due to lack of fluid (volume depletion)
Semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide come with warnings saying that the medications can cause thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. So far, research hasn’t found a link between semaglutide and cancer in humans.
Still, people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and those with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) shouldn’t take GLP-1 medications.
For some people, peptides like GLP-1 medications are a useful addition to a weight loss treatment plan.
Here’s what you need to know:
GLP-1s are the most common peptides for weight loss. They include semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are weekly injections, whereas liraglutide is a daily injection.
GLP-1s work by changing your appetite. They can reduce hunger and cravings and increase feelings of fullness. This makes it easier to eat a healthy diet and the right portion sizes.
Peptides like GLP-1s aren’t right for everyone. If you want to use peptides, you’ll need a prescription to get them. A healthcare provider will check your weight, health, and medical history to make sure they’re suitable for you.
You can explore your options for medical weight loss through Hers. A licensed healthcare provider will review your medical history and let you know if GLP-1s — or other weight loss medications — could help you reach your health and wellness goals.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about peptides for weight loss.
Yes, you need a prescription for weight loss peptides, including GLP-1 medications. A healthcare provider can assess your current weight, health, and medical history to make sure peptides are right for you.
Yes, peptides really work for weight loss and can lead to significant weight loss over time. For instance, research found that taking 15 mg of tirzepatide for 72 weeks leads to an average weight loss of about 21 percent. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro® and Zepbound®, sponsored this study.
The best peptides for fat loss are GLP-1 medications, like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide. GLP-1s aren’t exactly fat-burning peptides, but they can help you lose body fat. Research sponsored by Eli Lilly found that taking tirzepatide for 72 weeks led to an average fat loss of almost 34 percent.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards.
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