Bottom line: GLP-1 weight loss treatment uses prescription medications that mimic a natural gut hormone to reduce appetite, slow stomach emptying and improve blood sugar. Combined with nutrition and activity changes, most eligible adults who stay on treatment lose about 10% to 20% of their body weight. At Lifecare Primary Medical in Richmond, TX, every plan starts with a medical evaluation and lab work and continues with regular visits to adjust the dose, manage side effects and protect your long-term health.
Clinical guide
How GLP-1 medications work
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone your gut releases after you eat. GLP-1 medications copy and strengthen that signal. They act on appetite centers in the brain so you feel full sooner and think about food less, they slow how quickly the stomach empties, and they help the pancreas release insulin only when blood sugar is high. Tirzepatide also activates a second hormone receptor, GIP, which adds to its effect on appetite and blood sugar. The result is a steady drop in calorie intake without the constant hunger that makes most diets fail.
Because excess weight drives so many chronic conditions, the benefits often reach beyond the scale. Losing 5% to 10% of body weight can lower blood pressure, A1c and triglycerides, and semaglutide has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease and excess weight. That is why GLP-1 therapy fits naturally into internal medicine, alongside diabetes management, hypertension treatment and heart disease prevention.
Who is a good candidate for GLP-1 weight loss?
You may qualify for an FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss medication if you are an adult with:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or
- A BMI of 27 or higher plus at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea or heart disease
GLP-1 medications are not right for everyone. They are not used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and most carry a warning against use in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2). A history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe stomach problems or diabetic eye disease needs a careful conversation first. Your provider reviews all of this at your first visit.
GLP-1 treatment options in 2026
Today’s options include weekly injections and, since late 2025, daily pills. The right choice depends on your health conditions, how much weight you want to lose, your comfort with injections and your insurance coverage.
| Medication | How it works | How it’s taken | Average weight loss in its main trial |
|---|
| Semaglutide (Wegovy) | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Once-weekly injection | About 15% at 68 weeks |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound) | Dual GLP-1 and GIP agonist | Once-weekly injection | Up to about 21% at 72 weeks (highest dose) |
| Oral semaglutide (Wegovy pill) | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Daily tablet on an empty stomach | About 14% at 64 weeks |
| Orforglipron (Foundayo) | Non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist | Daily pill, no food or water restrictions | About 11% to 12% at 72 weeks (highest dose) |
Trial results are averages, not guarantees. Your results depend on the dose you reach, consistency and lifestyle changes.
The pipeline is moving quickly. Triple-agonist medicines such as retatrutide (GLP-1, GIP and glucagon) and amylin-based combinations such as CagriSema are in late-stage clinical trials but are not FDA-approved. We follow this research closely and prescribe FDA-approved medications.
Protecting muscle while you lose fat
Rapid weight loss on any GLP-1 includes some lean tissue. In clinical studies, roughly 25% to 40% of the weight lost came from lean mass, which matters most for adults over 60 and anyone at risk of frailty. Our plans protect muscle with three proven basics:
- Protein at every meal, with a daily target set for your body weight and kidney health
- Resistance training two to three times a week, scaled to your fitness level
- Tracking weight, waist size, strength and labs at follow-up visits, so the plan can change early
Side effects, safety and compounded GLP-1s
The most common side effects are nausea, fullness, constipation, diarrhea and occasional vomiting, usually during dose increases. Starting low, increasing slowly, eating smaller meals and staying hydrated help most people. Less common but serious risks include pancreatitis, gallstones, kidney strain from dehydration and low blood sugar when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas. That is why we check labs before and during treatment.
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide became widespread during drug shortages. Those shortages officially ended in late 2024 and early 2025, and the FDA has warned that compounded versions are not FDA-approved. We prescribe FDA-approved products and will help you understand your options if you are currently using a compounded medication.
What to expect in our Richmond GLP-1 program
- Consultation and labs. We review your history, medications and goals, and order labs such as A1c, kidney and liver function, lipids and thyroid testing when needed.
- Your personalized plan. Together we choose an injection or a pill, review your insurance coverage and set nutrition, activity and protein goals.
- Gradual dose increases. Doses rise step by step, usually over about four to five months, to limit side effects.
- Regular follow-up. Visits track weight, blood pressure, side effects and labs, and adjust treatment.
- A maintenance plan. When you reach your goal, we plan how to keep the weight off, whether that means continuing, adjusting or carefully stepping down medication.
Prefer to start with a broader program? Learn about our medical weight management approach.
