The clear, honest guide to GLP-1 medications
Semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide — what they are, how they work, what they cost, and how to get treatment safely. No hype, no jargon, no pressure. Just the facts you'd want a knowledgeable friend to explain.
Science first
We lead with how the drugs actually work — mechanism, dosing and evidence before any recommendation.
Straight about cost
Branded list prices, compounded pricing, and how insurance really behaves for weight loss vs diabetes.
Honest about risk
Real side effects, real warning signs, and who shouldn't take these medications.
The GLP-1 medications
Deep-dives on each drug — brands, dosing, results, side effects and cost.
SemaglutideOzempic, Wegovy
The most widely prescribed GLP-1 — sold as Wegovy for weight loss, Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, and Rybelsus as a daily pill.
Read the guideTirzepatideMounjaro, Zepbound
A dual-hormone injection (Zepbound for weight loss, Mounjaro for diabetes) that has produced the largest average weight loss of any approved GLP-1-class drug so far.
Read the guideRetatrutide(no brand name yet)
An experimental “triple agonist” that produced the largest weight loss seen in trials so far — but it is not yet approved and not legally available.
Read the guideLiraglutideSaxenda, Victoza
The original once-daily GLP-1 (Saxenda for weight loss, Victoza for diabetes) — now largely superseded by weekly drugs but still relevant, including as a generic.
Read the guideStart with the essentials
The questions almost everyone has before and during treatment.
How GLP-1 Medications Actually Work
7 min readSafetyGLP-1 Side Effects and How to Manage Them
8 min readCostGLP-1 Cost and Insurance: What You'll Actually Pay
7 min readResultsGLP-1 Results Timeline: What to Expect Month by Month
6 min readFree tools, no signup
Answer the two questions everyone has before starting.
Head-to-head comparisons
No scoreboard — we match each program to your priority (price, brand access, shipping, coaching).
Embody vs Ro
Embody's flat-price compounded GLP-1 versus Ro's branded, insurance-friendly access. A cash-price vs FDA-approved decision, broken down by real cost.
Embody vs altRx
The two lowest-priced compounded GLP-1 programs, head to head — with the actual monthly numbers, formulations and trade-offs laid out.
altRx vs Ro
altRx's low-cost compounded (plus brand) program versus Ro's established branded, insurance-first platform — compared on cost, product and support.
Embody vs TrimRX
Flat, transparent compounded pricing versus a guidance-heavy compounded program — compared on price clarity, support and credentials.
Where to get GLP-1 treatment
If you've decided to pursue treatment, these are the telehealth programs we rate highest for GLP-1 access, pricing and clinical support.
embody
9.9· ExceptionalFlat-priced compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide with fast shipping.
- Semaglutide $69/mo, tirzepatide $119/mo — flat pricing
- Free 1–2 day shipping, no insurance required
- Licensed doctors, LegitScript-certified, 503A pharmacies
altRx
9.6· ExcellentCompounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, plus brand-name Zepbound and Wegovy.
- Compounded GLP-1 from $89/mo, GLP-1 + GIP from $149/mo
- Brand-name options too — Zepbound and Wegovy
- No insurance required; Buy Now, Pay Later available
Ro
9.5· ExcellentClinician-reviewed access to branded GLP-1 medications and insurance coordination.
- Licensed providers review every treatment plan
- Help navigating branded GLP-1 access and insurance
- Convenient online follow-ups and support
Why trust TopGLP1?
TopGLP1 exists to be the clearest GLP-1 explainer on the web. We're upfront that we earn affiliate commissions from some providers — but our medication guides are written to inform, not to sell, and we'll happily tell you when a drug isn't right, when a product isn't legal, or when the honest answer is "talk to your doctor."
Read our editorial approach