Route of Administration |
Injection (Vial & Syringe)
|
Oral Liquid Drops
|
Oral Liquid Drops
|
Injection (Pre-Filled Pen)
|
Dosing Frequency |
Weekly
|
Daily
|
Daily
|
Weekly (Ozempic, Wegovy), Daily (Saxenda) |
Bioavailability |
High
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
High (Optimized Brand Formula) |
Mechanism of Action |
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1, single action) |
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1, single action) |
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GLP-1 + GIP, dual action) |
Both GLP and GIP+GLP-1 |
Onset of Action |
Gradual, peaks in days
|
Steady absorption daily
|
Steady absorption daily
|
Gradual, peaks in days |
Convenience |
Requires drawing dose and inject manually
|
No injections, easy daily oral intake
|
No injection, easy daily oral intake
|
Pre-measured dose, minimal preparation |
Best For |
- Starting GLP-1 patient
- Cost-conscious
- Comfortable with manual draw from vial
- Flexibility in titrating dosages
|
- Starting and on-going GLP-1 patient
- Needle-averse individuals
- Comfortable with manual draw from vial
- Good with daily oral routine
- Flexibility in titrating dosages
|
- Starting and on-going GLP-1 and GIP patient
- Needle-averse individuals
- Good with daily oral routine
- Flexibility in titrating dosages
|
- Patients preferring an FDA-approved brand
|
Effectiveness for Weight Loss |
Effective, typically up to 15% depending on dosage and other factors
|
Effective, typically up to 15% but requires daily adherence and other factors
|
Effective, typically up to 20% but requires daily adherence and other factors
|
Most clinically studied for weight loss |
Side Effects |
Possible nausea, GI discomfort
|
Possible nausea, GI discomfort
|
Possible nausea, GI discomfort
|
Possible nausea, GI discomfort |
Monitoring |
Self-administered, provider guided dose escalation
|
Self-administered, provider guided dose escalation
|
Self-administered, provider guided dose escalation
|
Self-administered, provider guided dose escalation |
Price |
$199/mo. subscription with 6-month prepay plan available
|
$299/ mo. subscription, with 6-month prepay plan available
|
$359/ mo. subscription with 6-month prepay plan available
|
$1,000+ per month (varies by brand)
|
Discount |
$100 off first month for subscription or 20% off for 6 months prepa
|
$100 off first month for subscription
|
$100 off first month for subscription
|
Not Available |
Higher Dosage |
Add $50/mo. up to 2 mg per week
|
Add $50/mo. up to 2 mg per day
|
Add $50/mo. 7.5 mg per day
|
Same price |
Insurance Coverage |
Not covered |
Not covered |
Not covered |
May be covered (varies by provider) |