Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring hormone in your body that plays a key role in regulating blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. Medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists (also known as GLP-1 medications or GLP-1 agonists) are designed to mimic this hormone, helping to manage insulin and blood sugar levels, which can result in weight loss and blood sugar regulation.

GLP-1 agonists are often prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes. In some cases, they are also prescribed for weight management. Some of the ways they work include reducing the feeling of hunger, making you feel fuller longer, and reducing your blood sugar. Some common examples of GLP-1 agonist medications include semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic), tirzepatide (Zepbound), and liraglutide (Saxenda).

GLP-1 agonist medications can help manage hunger and blood sugar in several ways, including signaling to the brain to help you feel full sooner, slowing down how quickly food leaves your stomach, helping the pancreas release insulin after meals, and reducing the release of glucagon – a hormone that raises blood sugar. These medications are often prescribed alongside lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, especially for people with obesity or prediabetes who haven’t had success with weight loss on their own.

The average weight loss with GLP-1 medications can differ based on the specific product and the individual. In certain clinical trials, when compared to a placebo, patients who used Wegovy lost about 15% of their starting body weight in the first 1 to 1.5 years, those on Ozempic lost 6%, Saxenda users lost 5%, and Zepbound users lost 16%. Start a Walgreens Weight Management visit to see which GLP-1 agonist may be the right fit for you.

During your Walgreens Weight Management visit, you will fill out a questionnaire to assess whether you meet specific eligibility requirements for a consultation, which include body mass index (BMI) and any weight-related health conditions. After confirming your eligibility, your healthcare provider will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan.

It’s simple! After completing a short online questionnaire about your health history, if qualified, you’ll start an on-demand video visit with a Walgreens Weight Management provider. They will review your information and if appropriate, will create your treatment plan and prescribe weight loss medication. After your first visit, most follow-up visits will be conducted through chat, where your provider will check your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed. If you ever need real-time support, like help with side effects, you can always request another on-demand video visit. We’re here to help you every step of the way!

Before your first visit, you’ll complete a short online questionnaire about your health history so we can make sure treatment is safe and right for you. No lab work is needed for your first visit/initial prescription. However, in order to qualify for additional refills, you’ll need to get an Hba1c test and either a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel blood test. If you have had these lab tests performed within the last 12 months, you can upload them to us for review. If you don’t have recent lab results, your Walgreens Weight Management provider can order them for you during your first visit.

Walgreens Weight Management is designed to be a more affordable, flexible option – no insurance or subscription required. Initial video visits start at $69, follow-up chat visits are $49 each, and additional video visits (if needed) are $49. Note: The cost of the medication is separate from visit costs. Through March 31, 2026, get Wegovy or Ozempic for $199/month for the first two months via an introductory offer from Novo Nordisk, restrictions and exclusions apply.^†

Walgreens Weight Management is currently intended for patients paying out of pocket for weight loss medications — no insurance or prior authorizations needed. We don’t currently handle insurance or prior authorizations for GLP-1s, but please check back soon. A recent survey found that only 19% of large employer plans and other firms (with 200 or more workers) offering health benefits included GLP-1 coverage for weight loss in 2025.

Through March 31, 2026, get Wegovy or Ozempic for $199/month for the first two months via an introductory offer from Novo Nordisk, subsequent doses start at $349/month, restrictions and exclusions apply.^†

Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic^‡), tirzepatide (Zepbound), liraglutide (Saxenda)^1-4

• Contraindications:
  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
  • Known serious hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the product
• Warnings and Precautions:
  • Thyroid C-cell tumors have occurred in animal studies; human relevance of this finding has not been determined. Report symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g., a lump in the neck, hoarseness, dysphagia, or dyspnea) to your healthcare provider.
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis): contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have severe pain in your abdomen that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
  • Acute gallbladder disease or problems including gallstones have occurred. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of gallbladder disease or complications: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), fever, or clay-colored stool.
  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) risk is increased when using a GLP-1 agonist, especially if also taking medications such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, shakiness, blurred vision, slurred speech, weakness, anxiety, hunger, headache, irritability or mood changes, confusion or drowsiness, fast heartbeat, feeling jittery.
  • Acute kidney injury: diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may lead to dehydration which may cause kidney problems such as acute kidney injury and, in rare cases, requiring hemodialysis. It is important that you drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away.
  • Gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe, have been reported. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions: stop using the GLP-1 agonist and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, severe rash or itching, very rapid heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, fainting or feeling dizzy.
  • Increased heart rate may occur, even when at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest, lasting for several minutes.
  • Increased risk of pulmonary aspiration (food getting into your lungs) during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sedation due to delayed gastric emptying. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking this GLP-1 agonist before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.
  • Changes in vision. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision. A temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy could occur. (Wegovy, Ozempic, or Zepbound only)
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding - speak with your provider if you are or plan to be pregnant or breastfeeding, as these GLP-1 agonists should only be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding if the potential benefit outweighs potential risk to the fetus or breastfed infant.
  • Increased risk of depression or thoughts of suicide. Pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you. (Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda only).
  • Do not share your medication pen or needles with anyone else. You may give an infection to them or get an infection from them.
• Common Side Effects
  • Wegovy: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, belching, hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and nasopharyngitis.
  • Ozempic: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation.
  • Zepbound: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, upset stomach, injection site reactions, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, belching, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Saxenda: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reactions, headache, low blood sugar, upset stomach, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase (a digestive enzyme), upper abdominal pain, fever, and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines).
• Drug or Food Interactions
  • Delayed gastric emptying may impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications.
  • Use of GLP-1 medications may reduce the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives. If you are using oral hormonal contraceptives, add a non-oral contraceptive method or a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after starting medication and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
  • Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. GLP-1 agonist medications can change how some medicines work, and other medicines may affect how GLP-1 medications work too.

^‡Not FDA approved for weight loss