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Eligibility Guide

Do You Qualify for GLP-1 Medication?

FDA-approved criteria, BMI thresholds, and common disqualifiers — all in one place.

Quick BMI Check

GLP-1 medications for weight loss are generally prescribed based on BMI thresholds.

30+
BMI
Qualifies without additional conditions
27+
BMI
Qualifies with at least one weight-related condition

Qualifying Conditions

If your BMI is between 27 and 29.9, you typically need at least one of the following weight-related conditions:

✓
Type 2 Diabetes
Some GLP-1s (like semaglutide as Ozempic) are also approved for glycemic control
✓
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Diagnosed or currently treated with medication
✓
High Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
Elevated LDL or triglycerides
✓
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Diagnosed via sleep study or clinical evaluation
✓
Cardiovascular Disease
History of heart attack, stroke, or established heart disease

Common Disqualifiers

Your doctor will evaluate these during your consultation. Some are absolute contraindications; others are assessed case-by-case.

✕
Personal or Family History of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC)
This is a contraindication listed on all GLP-1 receptor agonist labels
✕
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN2)
A rare genetic condition — your doctor may ask about family history
✕
Pregnancy or Planning to Become Pregnant
GLP-1 medications are not approved for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
⚠
History of Pancreatitis
Evaluated case-by-case — your provider may still prescribe with monitoring
⚠
Severe Gastrointestinal Disease
Gastroparesis or severe GERD may affect tolerability

FDA-Approved GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss

These are the currently FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists indicated for chronic weight management.

Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg)
Weekly subcutaneous injection. FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with BMI ≥ 30 or ≥ 27 with a comorbidity.
Zepbound® (tirzepatide)
Weekly subcutaneous injection. A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. FDA-approved for chronic weight management with the same BMI criteria.
Saxenda® (liraglutide 3.0 mg)
Daily subcutaneous injection. FDA-approved for chronic weight management. One of the earlier GLP-1 options for weight loss.

Note: Compounded versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide are available through some telehealth providers but are not FDA-approved.

Think You Qualify?

Talk to a licensed provider. The following telehealth platforms offer GLP-1 consultations online.

Find a Provider →