A section of federal law that lets a licensed pharmacy compound a medication for an individual patient's prescription, outside the FDA approval process.
An FDA-registered compounding facility that can make larger batches under CGMP standards and FDA inspection — a step above 503A, but still not an FDA-approved manufactured drug.
A blood test measuring average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months, used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.
A larger-than-expected drop in the calories your body burns during weight loss, beyond what the loss of body mass alone would predict.
A general pharmacology term for any substance that activates a receptor to produce a biological response.
A reduced ability to feel pleasure, including from food — sometimes reported on GLP-1 medications alongside appetite and reward changes.
A formal request asking your insurer to reconsider a denied claim or prior authorization.
A reduction in the drive or desire to eat, distinct from the fullness felt during or after a meal.
Weight-loss surgery (such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) that alters the digestive system, often compared to GLP-1 medications as a treatment option.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis — a body composition measurement method that estimates fat and lean mass by sending a small electrical current through the body.
A biologic medication highly similar to an already-approved reference drug, often available at lower cost once patents expire.
Body mass index — a weight-to-height ratio commonly used as a screening threshold for obesity and GLP-1 eligibility.
A mental health condition involving persistent, distressing preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance — a consideration for anyone undergoing rapid body change.
The percentage of a drug's cost you're responsible for paying, after any deductible is met.
A health condition that exists alongside a primary condition — for example, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea occurring with obesity.
A version of semaglutide made by a compounding pharmacy rather than the original manufacturer — not FDA-approved as a standalone product.
A pharmacy licensed to prepare customized medications, including compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs, outside of standard manufacturer production.
A fixed dollar amount you pay out-of-pocket for a prescription or visit, set by your insurance plan.
The amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering costs.
A range of irregular or harmful eating behaviors that may not meet the full criteria for a diagnosed eating disorder but still deserve attention and care.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4, the enzyme that rapidly breaks down the body's own GLP-1 within minutes.
A medication that activates two hormone receptors at once — for example, tirzepatide, which targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.
A specialized X-ray scan that measures body composition, including fat mass, lean mass, and bone density.
How well a medication performs in everyday, real-world use — as opposed to the controlled conditions of a clinical trial.
How well a medication performs under ideal, controlled conditions — typically measured in clinical trials.
A U.S.-based pharmaceutical company that manufactures tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), among other medications.
A toxin from the outer wall of certain bacteria that can contaminate poorly made injectable products and trigger fever, chills, and serious reactions.
A patient who experiences significant appetite suppression and weight loss quickly, often at lower doses, after starting a GLP-1 medication.
A colloquial term for persistent, intrusive thoughts about food — commonly reported to diminish significantly on GLP-1 medications.
The list of medications your plan covers, organized into cost tiers.
Eli Lilly's brand name for oral orforglipron, a GLP-1 medication for adults with obesity or excess weight plus weight-related medical problems.
The rate at which the stomach passes its contents into the small intestine, which GLP-1 medications slow down.
Delayed emptying of the stomach — a normal, mild effect of GLP-1 medications, but a more serious diagnosable condition in rare cases.
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide — a second gut hormone, alongside GLP-1, that some newer medications (like tirzepatide) target together.
A gut hormone (glucagon-like peptide-1) that stimulates insulin release, slows digestion, and reduces appetite; the target of drugs like semaglutide and liraglutide.
A colloquial term for facial volume loss and skin laxity that can accompany rapid, significant weight loss on GLP-1 medications.
A comparison between single-hormone GLP-1 drugs (e.g. semaglutide) and dual-hormone GLP-1/GIP drugs (e.g. tirzepatide).
A hormone that raises blood sugar by triggering the liver to release stored glucose — the functional counterpart to insulin, and an emerging target in newer GLP-1-class medications.
The time it takes for half of a drug dose to be cleared from the body — determines how often a medication needs to be taken.
Treatment that replaces a hormone the body no longer produces in adequate amounts — most commonly estrogen (usually with a progestogen) for menopausal women, or testosterone for men with hypogonadism. It is not a weight-loss treatment and is separate from GLP-1 medications.
A condition of low sex-hormone production. In men it means low testosterone with symptoms; importantly, the low testosterone that often accompanies obesity is frequently a reversible state ('pseudo-hypogonadism') rather than true, pathologic hypogonadism.
A popular brand of bioelectrical impedance device used to measure body composition, often found in gyms and clinics.
A class of gut hormones, including GLP-1 and GIP, that trigger insulin release in response to food.
Body weight from everything other than fat — primarily muscle, but also organs, bone, and water.
An essential amino acid that is the main dietary trigger of muscle protein synthesis.
Eli Lilly's direct-to-patient platform offering telehealth access, home delivery, and savings programs for its medications, including Mounjaro and Zepbound.
A rubbery lump of thickened fatty tissue under the skin caused by repeated injections in the same spot.
A first-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist taken as a daily injection, sold as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management.
The stable, ongoing dose taken once titration is complete, intended to sustain treatment effects long-term.
The insurer's determination that a treatment is required to diagnose or treat a condition, often required for coverage approval.
A rare thyroid cancer arising from the thyroid's C cells; a personal or family history of it is a contraindication to GLP-1 medications.
An inherited syndrome that raises the risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma and is a contraindication to GLP-1 medications.
Estrogen, usually combined with a progestogen (when the uterus is present), used to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and to protect bone. Often just called 'HRT.' It is associated with less visceral fat but is not a weight-loss treatment.
Eli Lilly's brand name for injectable tirzepatide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
The biological process of building new muscle protein, stimulated by resistance exercise and dietary protein intake.
A Danish pharmaceutical company that manufactures semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), among other medications.
Novo Nordisk's patient support platform offering savings programs, insurance guidance, and prescription access for its medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
A U.S. nonprofit patient advocacy organization focused on obesity education, awareness, and access to treatment.
A sleep disorder in which the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing brief pauses in breathing; it is closely linked to obesity.
Prescribing a medication for a condition or in a manner not officially FDA-approved.
The most you'll have to pay for covered services in a plan year before insurance covers 100% of costs.
Novo Nordisk's brand name for injectable semaglutide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
Inflammation of the pancreas — a rare but serious potential side effect of GLP-1 medications requiring immediate medical attention.
A manufacturer- or nonprofit-run program that provides free or discounted medication to eligible patients who can't afford it.
A third-party company that manages prescription drug benefits on behalf of insurers or employers, including which drugs are covered.
A short chain of amino acids — the molecular structure underlying GLP-1 medications and the natural hormones they mimic.
Approval your insurer requires before it will cover a medication.
A hormone — natural progesterone or a synthetic progestin — given alongside estrogen in menopausal hormone therapy to protect the lining of the uterus.
A drug that binds to and activates a specific receptor, mimicking the effect of the body's natural hormone.
An investigational triple agonist medication (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon) developed by Eli Lilly, currently in clinical trials.
The age- or illness-related loss of muscle mass and strength — a risk to monitor for during rapid weight loss.
The feeling of fullness that builds during a meal and signals you to stop eating.
The sense of fullness that persists between meals, delaying the return of hunger.
A manufacturer-provided coupon that reduces out-of-pocket cost for insured patients, typically not usable with government insurance.
A brand of liraglutide, a daily-injection GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management and made by Novo Nordisk.
A medical-grade body composition measurement device made by Seca, using bioelectrical impedance to estimate fat and lean mass.
A GLP-1 receptor agonist medication made by Novo Nordisk, sold under the brand names Ozempic (diabetes) and Wegovy (weight management).
A protein that binds and transports sex hormones (including testosterone) in the blood. Obesity lowers SHBG, which reduces measured total testosterone and is a major reason obesity can look like low testosterone on a lab test.
The broad use of digital communication technology to deliver healthcare services and information remotely.
The delivery of clinical medical services remotely, such as virtual doctor visits and prescribing — a subset of telehealth.
Replacing testosterone in men who have hypogonadism (clinically low testosterone plus symptoms), delivered as a gel, injection, patch, or pellet. It is for a specific diagnosis, not a default treatment for the reversible low testosterone that often accompanies obesity.
A once-weekly dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Eli Lilly, marketed as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management and obstructive sleep apnea.
The gradual, step-by-step increase of a medication dose over time, used to reduce side effects.
A brand of liraglutide, a daily-injection GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and made by Novo Nordisk.
Fat stored deep in the abdomen around the internal organs, which is more strongly tied to metabolic and cardiovascular risk than fat under the skin.
Novo Nordisk's brand name for injectable semaglutide, FDA-approved for chronic weight management.
A period during treatment when weight loss slows or stalls despite continued medication use.
The return of lost weight, commonly seen after reducing or stopping a GLP-1 medication.
Negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination directed at people because of their body weight, including within healthcare.
A regulatory standard ensuring medications are consistently produced and controlled to quality standards — a key marker of legitimacy for compounded or manufactured drugs.
The unauthorized sale of medications outside official manufacturer and pharmacy supply chains — legally distinct from counterfeit, but unregulated and risky.
A patient who experiences minimal appetite suppression or weight loss at typical doses, often requiring longer titration or higher doses to see results.
A rule requiring you to try lower-cost options before a plan covers another.