India’s top weight loss medications compared: Which GLP-1 is actually worth your money?
Medically Reviewed By
Aditya Khurana (MD, MBBS)
In this blog
What is GLP-1 and how does it work?
Week-by-Week breakdown
Tips and lessons from real users
The EARLY Perspective
Conclusion
About the Author
References
Ready to lose weight for good?
Obesity in India has reached alarming levels, affecting over 135 million individuals across rural and urban populations. While lifestyle changes remain foundational, a new class of drugs is changing the equation: GLP-1 receptor agonists. Initially developed for diabetes, they’re now showing significant weight loss benefits, leading many to ask: what’s the best GLP-1 for weight loss?
With rising interest in GLP-1 in India, patients and doctors alike are exploring options like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy. But not all injectables are equal, and your health choice matters. In this blog, we’ll get into the top weight loss injections available today, learn about how they work, their side effects, and suitability, so you can make an informed decision about your health.
How GLP-1s Work: The Science Behind Their Weight Loss Power
GLP-1, short for glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone your body naturally releases in response to eating. Its job? It is to help you feel full, regulate blood sugar, and slow down digestion. But in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes, this system doesn’t always work efficiently. That’s where GLP-1 receptor agonists, like Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), come in.
These medications mimic your body’s natural GLP-1. When injected, they bind to GLP-1 receptors in your pancreas, stimulating insulin release and lowering blood sugar. But scientists soon discovered something unexpected: these drugs also reduced appetite, enhanced satiety, and led to significant weight loss. That’s because GLP-1 doesn’t just act in the gut. It also signals the brain to turn off hunger cues and delays how quickly food leaves your stomach, helping you feel fuller for longer.
Unlike older weight loss drugs that worked by simply blocking fat absorption or suppressing appetite in a blunt way, GLP-1s work through multiple pathways, metabolic, hormonal, and neurological.
Mounjaro vs Ozempic Vs Wegovy Vs Rybelsus: Which GLP-1 Works Best for Weight Loss?
GLP-1 receptor agonists are revolutionizing obesity care worldwide, and growing interest in GLP-1 in India is proof of that. Medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Mounjaro are helping people lose significant weight while improving metabolic health. While Semaglutide is the active ingredient found in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a dual agonist that mimics both GLP-1 and GIP hormones. These drugs work by reducing appetite, improving satiety, and slowing gastric emptying.
Comparison between Mounjaro vs Ozempic Vs Wegovy Vs Rybelsus
| Medication | Generic Name | Type | Drug Class | Approved Use | Prescribed Use for Weight Loss | Availability in India |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro | Tirzepatide | Injection | GLP-1 + GIP agonist | Type 2 Diabetes | Yes | Yes, Mounjaro is available in India |
| Wegovy | Semaglutide | Injection | GLP-1 agonist | Obesity and Heart Disease Prevention | Yes | Yes, Wegovy is available in India |
| Rybelsus | Semaglutide | Pills | GLP-1 agonist | Type 2 Diabetes | Yes (Off label) | Yes, Rybelsus is available in India |
| Ozempic | Semaglutide | Injection | GLP-1 agonist | Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease Prevention | Yes (Off-label) | Ozempic is not available in India |
Who is eligible to use GLP-1 medication for weight loss?
Individuals eligible for GLP-1 medication for weight loss include:
- Adults with obesity: GLP-1 drugs are approved for people who have a BMI of 30 or higher, even without additional health conditions.
- Overweight individuals with Comorbidities: Adults with a BMI of 27 or higher, along with a weight-related health condition (e.g., type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver).
- Teenagers Aged 12+ with Obesity: Teens aged 12 and above with obesity (based on age-specific BMI).
- Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Not Achieving Target Control: Patients struggling to control their blood sugar levels despite existing medications may benefit from GLP-1 receptor agonists.
- Individuals Intolerant to Metformin: For those who cannot take or tolerate metformin, the first-line diabetes drug, GLP-1s offer an effective alternative.
- Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Complications: GLP-1s are particularly beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes who also have heart failure, atherosclerosis, or chronic kidney disease.
- Adults Who Need Extra Support for Weight Loss: If diet and exercise alone haven’t been enough, GLP-1 medications can serve as an additional tool to accelerate weight loss.
- People Cleared by Their Healthcare Provider: People approved by their healthcare provider after a complete health evaluation.
Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs
Some common side effects of GLP-1 medication include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, changes in appetite, bloating, stomach pain, fatigue, dizziness, low blood glucose levels. Some less common side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney disease. To determine what is suitable for you, it is essential to consult with a medical professional, such as endocrinologists who are super specialist doctors specializing in metabolic conditions.
Take away
The rise of GLP-1 medications marks a turning point in obesity care, especially in India, where over 135 million people are affected. But while these drugs offer scientifically backed, powerful weight loss results, choosing the best GLP-1 for weight loss depends on more than just the numbers on the scale. Each option available has its unique strengths, risks, and suitability based on your age, health conditions, and weight loss goals. If you are struggling with obesity, GLP-1 drug therapy might be the next step in your health journey. Speak to your healthcare provider to understand more about the best GLP-1 drug for your health needs.
Disclaimer: GLP-1 medications should only be taken under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. At Early, we strongly advise against the use of any GLP-1 therapy without proper medical consultation, as unsupervised use may lead to adverse side effects or health complications.
About the Author
Arwa Aliakber
Arwa Aliakber is a qualified pharmacist and seasoned health & wellness writer with 4+ years of experience delivering high-impact content for global healthcare brands. She has worked with startups, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and digital agencies, translating complex medical information into clear, engaging, and trustworthy content.
References
- Venkatrao M, Nagarathna R, Majumdar V, Patil SS, Rathi S, Nagendra H. Prevalence of Obesity in India and Its Neurological Implications: A Multifactor Analysis of a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study. Ann Neurosci. 2020 Jul;27(3-4):153-161. doi: 10.1177/0972753120987465. Epub 2021 May 29. PMID: 34556954; PMCID: PMC8455012. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8455012/
- Areesha Moiz, Kristian B. Filion, Michael A. Tsoukas, Oriana HY. Yu, Tricia M. Peters, Mark J. Eisenberg, Mechanisms of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist-Induced Weight Loss: A Review of Central and Peripheral Pathways in Appetite and Energy Regulation, The American Journal of Medicine,2025, ISSN 0002-9343, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2025.01.021.
- Ard J, Fitch A, Fruh S, Herman L. Weight Loss and Maintenance Related to the Mechanism of Action of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists. Adv Ther. 2021 Jun;38(6):2821-2839. doi: 10.1007/s12325-021-01710-0. Epub 2021 May 11. PMID: 33977495; PMCID: PMC8189979. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8189979/
- Hannah Flynn, Ferdinand Lali, How Semaglutide and similar drugs act on the brain and body to reduce appetite, Medical News Today, Written on March 18, 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-semaglutide-and-similar-drugs-act-on-the-brain-and-body-to-reduce-appetite
- Julie Adkison, Reviewed by Christina Aungst, Ozempic, Trulicity, and More: 10 GLP-1 Drugs and How to Navigate Your Options, GoodRx, pdated on February 14, 2025. https://www.goodrx.com/classes/glp-1-agonists/glp-1-drugs-comparison
- Kendall K. Morgan, Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound: What’s the Difference? WebMD, July 21, 2024. https://www.webmd.com/obesity/mounjaro-ozempic-wegovy-zepbound-difference
- Khashayar Farzam; Preeti Patel. Tirzepatide,L ast Update: February 20, 2024 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056/
- Amber R. Watson, Medically Reveiwed by Alex Nguyen, Ozempic for weight loss, Medical News Today, Updated on November 15, 2024, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-ozempic-for-weight-loss
- Kaitlin Sullivan, Medically reviewed by Sean Hashmi, GLP-1 Drugs for Obesity and Weight Loss, Everyday Health, Published on November 18, 2024, https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight-management/glp-1-drugs-for-obesity-and-weight-loss/
- Hope Gillete, Medically Reviewed by Jorge Moreno, A Guide for Deciding If GLP-1s Are Right for You, Healthline, Updated May 6, 2024, https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/considering-glp1s
- Lisa Catanese, Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drug side effects: “Ozempic face” and more, Harvard Health Publishing, February 5, 2024, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/glp-1-diabetes-and-weight-loss-drug-side-effects-ozempic-face-and-more
- Written by Alyssa Billingsley, Reviewed by Christina Aungst, Published on February 11, 2025 https://www.goodrx.com/classes/glp-1-agonists/glp-1-side-effects#side-effect-list
In this blog
How GLP-1s Work?
Which GLP-1 Works Best for Weight Loss?
Who is eligible to use GLP-1 medication for weight loss?
Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs
Are there any side effects of GLP-1 medicines?
Take away
