Breaking Down Obesity Medications That Target GLP-1

In the second video of the series, PA Ledyi Ballesteros reviews the currently approved obesity medications that target GLP-1, including key indications, formulations, and dosing considerations. She explains how these therapies work, outlines expected weight-loss outcomes, and highlights the rapid evolution of this treatment category.

PA Ballesteros also examines similarities across these medications, including the need for dose titration, gastrointestinal side effects, and broader clinical considerations when using pharmacotherapy in obesity care. Clinicians will gain a practical overview of the current treatment landscape and the role these agents can play in supporting individualized obesity management.

Key Takeaways:

There are 4 incretin mimetic medications approved to reduce body weight in adults with obesity.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide have additional indications for comorbidities of obesity including type 2 diabetes (as different brand names).
These medications require dose titration and have similar adverse events.

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Speaker

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Ledyenska Baez Ballesteros, MPAS, PA-C

References and Additional Resources:

Aronne LJ, SURMOUNT-4 Investigators. Tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction in adults with obesity-reply. JAMA. 2024;331(19):1676. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38630499/

Foundayo (Orforglipron). Prescribing information. Eli Lilly and Company, 2026. Accessed May5, 2026. https://uspl.lilly.com/foundayo/foundayo.html#pi

Garvey WT, Batterham RL, Bhatta M, et al. Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Nat Med. 2022;28(10):2083-2091. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36216945/

Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35658024/

Kwak KH, Jung CH. Nutrient-stimulated hormone-based therapies: Transforming obesity management. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2025;40(6):879-882. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12765871/

Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(1):11-22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26132939/

Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of continued weekly subcutaneous semaglutide vs placebo on weight loss maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity: The STEP 4 randomized clinical trial: The STEP 4 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1414-1425. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33755728/

Wadden TA, Bailey TS, Billings LK, et al. Effect of subcutaneous semaglutide vs placebo as an adjunct to intensive behavioral therapy on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity: The STEP 3 randomized clinical trial: The STEP 3 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1403-1413. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33625476/

Wadden TA, Chao AM, Machineni S, et al. Tirzepatide after intensive lifestyle intervention in adults with overweight or obesity: the SURMOUNT-3 phase 3 trial. Nat Med. 2023;29(11):2909-2918. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37840095/

Wadden TA, Hollander P, Klein S, et al. Weight maintenance and additional weight loss with liraglutide after low-calorie-diet-induced weight loss: the SCALE Maintenance randomized study. Int J Obes (Lond). 2013;37(11):1443-1451. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23812094/

Weghuber D, Barrett T, Barrientos-Pérez M, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adolescents with obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(24):2245-2257. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36322838/

Wegovy (Semaglutide). Package insert. Novo Nordisk; 2026. https://www.novo-pi.com/wegovy.pdf

Wharton S, Aronne LJ, Stefanski A, et al. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(18):1796-1806. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40960239/

Wharton S, Freitas P, Hjelmesæth J, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025;13(11):949-963. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40961952/

Wharton S, Lingvay I, Bogdanski P, et al. Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(11):1077-1087. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40934115/

Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/

Zepbound (Tirzepatide Injection). Prescribing information. Eil Lilly and Company, 2026. Accessed May 5, 2026. https://uspl.lilly.com/zepbound/zepbound.html#pi

Supported by

Ledyenska Baez Ballesteros, MPAS, PA-C

Ledyenska (Ledyi) Ballesteros is a board-certified PA of 18 years with concentrations in internal medicine and obesity medicine. She received the Obesity Management in Primary Care Certificate in 2019, followed by the Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine in 2020.

Since 2011, PA Ballesteros has practiced internal medicine at Gonzaba Medical Group in San Antonio, Texas. In 2015, she created the clinic’s obesity medicine program, which she still runs. She is also active in educating her peers in the medical community on obesity and its management through local, state and national conference presentations, social media platforms, and online webinars.

PA Ballesteros has been faculty in various organizations including GatherEd, The Obesity Society, and AAPA.

PA Ballesteros currently serves as President of PAs in Obesity Medicine and secretary and co-founder of the newly developed San Antonio Obesity Society.