FAQ

In most countries: BMI ≥ 30, OR BMI ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related condition (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea). Some drugs have additional criteria. Only a doctor can determine your actual eligibility — these are general guidelines, not a guarantee.

Obesity is a chronic biological condition — not a failure of willpower. The brain actively defends higher body weight through hunger hormones, slowing metabolism, and increasing appetite. GLP-1 drugs work by correcting these hormonal signals. Using them is no more "cheating" than treating high blood pressure with medication. See our Myths page for more on this.

Yes. The FDA approved an oral version of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) for weight loss in December 2025. It launched in the US in January 2026. The pill (25mg, taken once daily on an empty stomach) produces similar weight loss to the weekly injection — up to 16.6% of body weight in trials — and costs $149–$299/month self-pay depending on dose, compared to $349–$399/mo self-pay for the injection (list price $1,349/month). See the semaglutide page for full details.

Not anymore. Two GLP-1 pills are FDA-approved: the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide 25mg), from $149/month rising to $299/month at the maintenance dose, and Foundayo (orforglipron), from $149 to $349/month. Older pills such as the phentermine/topiramate combination are also available. The injection form is still used by people who prefer once-weekly dosing over daily pills.

There are now two affordable oral GLP-1 options: the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) at $149–$299/month self-pay depending on dose, and Foundayo (orforglipron) at $149–$349/month depending on dose. The weekly injection form of semaglutide is self-pay $349–$399/mo via NovoCare Pharmacy (list price $1,349/month). With commercial insurance savings cards, the Wegovy pill, the Wegovy injection, and Foundayo can all come down to around $25/month.

Partially — and the data is clear on this. In the STEP 1 extension study, people who stopped semaglutide regained two-thirds of their lost weight within one year. However, many metabolic improvements (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar) partially persisted. Tirzepatide shows a similar pattern. This is why doctors often describe these as chronic treatments, similar to blood pressure medication — ongoing use may be needed to maintain results.

Yes — and for many people, this is the right starting point. A consistent caloric deficit with high protein intake and regular exercise can produce 10–20 kg of loss over 6 months with good adherence. The evidence-based plan is: 500 kcal deficit per day, 1.2–1.6g protein per kg of body weight, and 150+ minutes of aerobic exercise per week. Medication produces greater weight loss but also has costs, side effects, and requires a doctor. The right choice depends on your individual situation.

No. Berberine and semaglutide work through completely different mechanisms. Berberine may improve insulin sensitivity — trials show approximately 2–3 kg weight loss. Semaglutide mimics a gut hormone to directly suppress appetite — trials show up to 15% body weight loss (roughly 14–18 kg for most people in the trial). These are not comparable. See the Myths page for a full breakdown.

"Natural" does not mean safe — supplements are not subject to the same safety testing before they go on sale as prescription drugs. Some have known drug interactions. Some carry real risks at the doses used in commercial products. Green tea extract at high doses has caused liver toxicity. L-carnitine may raise TMAO levels (linked to heart risk). Always check with your doctor before adding any supplement, especially if you take other medications.

When we say "people lost an average of 15% of their body weight," we mean the middle of the distribution across all trial participants — some lost more, some lost less. It includes people who had side effects, people who reduced their dose, and people who stopped treatment early. It is not a prediction of your personal result — it is the best population-level estimate we have from the trial. Your results will depend on your dose, how consistently you take it, your diet, exercise, and your body.

Every statistic on this site comes from randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, or official regulatory documents. We do not use press releases or company claims. Each claim links to its source — you can verify everything yourself. We do not rank treatments or make recommendations. See "How we verify information" above for the full methodology.