Weight loss injections are gaining attention for their ability to combat obesity and obesity-related health concerns like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol.¹

When considering weight loss medications, you will want to share your needs, concerns and goals with your provider. Each type of weight loss injection has different effectiveness, side effects and price points.

Learn more about your weight loss injection options so you and your provider can make the best decision for your health.

What weight loss medications are available by injection?

There are three primary types of weight loss medications currently available: semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide. Each has unique brands and qualities to consider.

Semaglutide

Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It is prescribed to lower blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes and as a weight loss aid for individuals with obesity.²

For weight loss, semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone released in the digestive tract as a response to eating. It helps reduce feelings of hunger, increase satiety and slow gastric emptying to extend feelings of fullness.³

Injectable Semaglutide Options

Wegovy®

Wegovy is an injectable semaglutide approved by the FDA as a prescription weight loss aid. It comes in a pen with premeasured doses that are injected under the skin. The starting dose is 0.25 mg per week and increases every few weeks to 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg.⁴

Ozempic®

Ozempic is FDA approved for lowering blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is sometimes prescribed off-label as a weight loss aid.⁵ It comes in a pen with premeasured weekly doses starting with 0.25 mg and increasing to 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg. The doses are injected with the pen under the skin.⁶

Compounded Semaglutide

Compounded semaglutide has the same active ingredient as name brands. It is produced by state-licensed compounding pharmacies rather than traditional manufacturers.⁷ It is a weekly injection that the user measures into a syringe from a vial and injects under the skin. Dosages will vary depending on the prescriber. Common dosages include 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg.⁸

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is part of a class of medications called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It is prescribed to help lower blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes and as a weight loss aid for individuals with obesity.

Tirzepatide mimics GLP-1 and GIP hormones released in the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating. It works by slowing food movement through the stomach, which may decrease appetite and support weight loss.⁹

Injectable Tirzepatide Options

Zepbound®

Zepbound is a weekly injection prescribed to help those with obesity lose weight. It comes in a premeasured injection pen or as a single use vial with a syringe. Doses start small and increase incrementally. The Zepbound pen is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg doses. The Zepbound vial is available in 2.5 mg and 5 mg doses.¹⁰

Mounjaro®

Mounjaro is an injectable tirzepatide prescribed to help individuals with type 2 diabetes lower blood sugar. It can be prescribed off-label to support weight loss. It comes in a premeasured pen for once-weekly injections under the skin. Dosing starts at 2.5 mg and increases incrementally to 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg.¹¹

Compounded Tirzepatide

Compounded tirzepatide has the same active ingredients as name brands. Rather than being produced by a traditional manufacturer, it is made at a state-licensed compounding pharmacy.¹² Compounded tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that the user measures from a vial into a syringe. Dosing will vary depending on the prescription and provider. A common dosage schedule starts at 2.5 mg and increases incrementally to 15 mg.

Liraglutide

Liraglutide belongs to a class of medications called incretin mimetics. It is prescribed to help lower blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes and as a weight loss aid. It works for weight loss by slowing stomach emptying and reducing appetite.¹³

Injectable Liraglutide Options

Saxenda®

Saxenda is an injectable liraglutide prescribed to help support weight loss in individuals with obesity. It comes in a premeasured pen injected under the skin once weekly. The dosing schedule starts with 0.6 mg per week and increases by 0.6 mg incrementally until the maintenance dose of 3 mg is reached.¹⁴

Victoza®

Victoza is an injectable form of liraglutide prescribed to lower blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is sometimes used off-label to support weight loss. Victoza comes in an injection pen with 18 mg of medication. Depending on your prescription, the pen will deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg for a weekly injection.

What’s the difference between common injection methods?

There are two choices regarding weight loss injections: the autoinjector pen, and the vial and syringe. The autoinjector pen limits the amount of human error with premeasured doses and proper needle injection. Brand names often provide their medications in an autoinjector form.

The vial and syringe are more affordable than the autoinjector pen. The user measures their dose into a syringe, which leaves more room for human error. Compounding pharmacies often deliver prescriptions using this method.¹⁵

How do side effects and safety compare for weight loss injections?

All the weight loss injections covered here carry the same increased risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer. Please talk to your provider if you or your family has a history of thyroid disease.¹⁶

Semaglutide Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects of semaglutide injections include:¹⁷

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Diarrhea.

• Abdominal pain.

• Constipation.

• Heartburn.

• Burping.

Less common and more severe side effects are possible. Please seek emergency medical care if any of the following symptoms occur while taking semaglutide:

• Ongoing pain that begins in the upper left or middle of the stomach but may spread to the back, with or without vomiting.

• Rash; itching; swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, tongue or throat; or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

• Decreased urination or swelling of legs, ankles, or feet.

• Vision changes.

• Fainting or dizziness.

• Yellowing of skin or eyes.

• Rapid heartbeat.

Tirzepatide Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects of tirzepatide injections include:¹⁸

• Nausea.

• Diarrhea.

• Decreased appetite.

• Vomiting.

• Constipation.

• Upset stomach.

Less common and more severe side effects are possible. Please seek emergency medical care if any of the following symptoms occur while taking tirzepatide:

• Stomach pain that will not go away (and may radiate to the back), with or without vomiting.

• Signs of low blood sugar like dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heart rate and feeling jittery.

Liraglutide Side Effects & Safety

Common side effects of liraglutide injections include:¹⁹

• Headache.

• Constipation.

• Heartburn.

• Runny nose, sneezing or coughing.

• Tiredness.

• Difficulty urinating, or pain or burning on urination.

• Injection site rash or redness.

Less common and more severe side effects are possible. Please seek emergency medical care if any of the following symptoms occur while taking liraglutide:

• Ongoing pain that begins in the upper left or middle of the stomach but may spread to the back.

• New or worsening depression.

• Thinking about harming or killing yourself.

• Unusual changes in mood or behavior.

• Vomiting.

• Nausea.

• Diarrhea.

• Clay-colored stools.

• Yellow eyes or skin.

• Heart pounding.

• Fainting or feeling dizzy.

• Swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, tongue or throat.

• Rash.

• Itching.

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing.

How effective are weight loss injections?

Weight loss injections have been clinically proven to help aid weight loss over placebo.

Users of semaglutide lost an average of 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks of use.²⁰

In one clinical study, participants using tirzepatide injections lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight after 72 weeks.²¹

In one clinical study of liraglutide, nearly 63% of participants lost more than 10% of their body weight over 52 weeks.²²

How do costs compare for weight loss injections?

The cost of weight loss injections will vary depending on the prescription, pharmacy and insurance coverage. The prices below reflect average monthly costs without insurance coverage.

Semaglutide Costs

• Wegovy – $1,586²³

• Ozempic – $1,029²⁴

• Compounded Semaglutide – $449 - $1205

RedBox Rx offers compounded semaglutide injections for $189 monthly with a six-month subscription—no insurance required.

Tirzepatide Costs

• Zepbound – $1,272²⁵

• Mounjaro – $1,069²⁶

• Compounded Tirzepatide – $449 - $1,209

RedBox Rx offers compounded tirzepatide injections for $429 per month. No subscription or insurance required.

Liraglutide Costs

• Saxenda - $1,349²⁷

• Victoza - $689²⁸

Does medical insurance cover weight loss injections?

Insurance coverage for weight loss injections will depend on your provider. Generally, weight loss injections are not covered by insurance unless the individual has a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.²⁹

Can you use an HSA or FSA for weight loss injections?

HSA or FSA coverage for weight loss injections will depend on your plan and the provider. RedBox Rx does except both HSA and FSA as payment for weight loss injection prescriptions.

How do you get weight loss injections?

Weight loss injections are available by prescription only. You can get a prescription for weight loss injections online with RedBox Rx. Start an online consultation to see if GLP-1 weight loss medication is right for you.

You may be able to get a prescription from your primary care provider or a specialist if you qualify.

Are there alternatives to weight loss injections?

Some medications in weight loss injections are also available in a daily oral tablet.

RYBELSUS® is a name brand for daily oral semaglutide tablets. Compounded semaglutide is also available as a daily oral tablet.

Compounded tirzepatide is also available in a daily oral tablet.

Weight Loss Injection Comparison Chart

How RedBox Rx can help

RedBox Rx provides convenient, affordable telehealth services and prescription weight loss injections.

Benefits of RedBox Rx include:

• Compounded semaglutide injections and oral dissolvable tablets starting at $189 per month with a six-month subscription.

• Compounded tirzepatide injections starting at $429 per month and oral dissolvable tablets starting at $397 per month.

• Flat-rate, no intro pricing — no cost increase based on dosage.

• Online consultations with a U.S. licensed medical professional are included in subscription price.

• Unlimited provider follow-ups through messaging or video.

• One FREE dietitian discovery session.

• No insurance required. HSA and FSA eligible.

• Free express shipping — get meds in five to seven days.

Start your weight loss journey today with an easy, quick online assessment to see if you qualify.