Glossary
- A1C
A blood test measuring average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months, used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.
- Agonist
A general pharmacology term for any substance that activates a receptor to produce a biological response.
- Anhedonia
A reduced ability to feel pleasure, including from food — sometimes reported on GLP-1 medications alongside appetite and reward changes.
- Appeal
A formal request asking your insurer to reconsider a denied claim or prior authorization.
- Appetite suppression
A reduction in the drive or desire to eat, distinct from the fullness felt during or after a meal.
- Bariatric surgery
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.
- BIA
Bioelectrical impedance analysis — a body composition measurement method that estimates fat and lean mass by sending a small electrical current through the body.
- Biosimilar
A biologic medication highly similar to an already-approved reference drug, often available at lower cost once patents expire.
- BMI
Body mass index — a weight-to-height ratio commonly used as a screening threshold for obesity and GLP-1 eligibility.
- Body dysmorphia
A mental health condition involving persistent, distressing preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance — a consideration for anyone undergoing rapid body change.
- Coinsurance
The percentage of a drug's cost you're responsible for paying, after any deductible is met.
- Comorbidity
A specialized X-ray scan (also spelled DEXA) that measures body composition, including fat mass, lean mass, and bone density.
- Compounded semaglutide
A version of semaglutide made by a compounding pharmacy rather than the original manufacturer — not FDA-approved as a standalone product.
- Compounding pharmacy
A pharmacy licensed to prepare customized medications, including compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs, outside of standard manufacturer production.
- Copay
A fixed dollar amount you pay out-of-pocket for a prescription or visit, set by your insurance plan.
- Deductible
The amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering costs.
- Dual agonist
A medication that activates two hormone receptors at once — for example, tirzepatide, which targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.
- DXA scan
A specialized X-ray scan that measures body composition, including fat mass, lean mass, and bone density.
- Effectiveness
How well a medication performs in everyday, real-world use — as opposed to the controlled conditions of a clinical trial.
- Efficacy
How well a medication performs under ideal, controlled conditions — typically measured in clinical trials.
- Eli Lilly
A U.S.-based pharmaceutical company that manufactures tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), among other medications.
- Fast responder
A patient who experiences significant appetite suppression and weight loss quickly, often at lower doses, after starting a GLP-1 medication.
- Food noise
A colloquial term for persistent, intrusive thoughts about food — commonly reported to diminish significantly on GLP-1 medications.
- Formulary
The list of medications your plan covers, organized into cost tiers.
- Foundayo
Eli Lilly's brand name for oral orforglipron, a GLP-1 medication for adults with obesity or excess weight plus weight-related medical problems.
- Gastroparesis
Delayed emptying of the stomach — a normal, mild effect of GLP-1 medications, but a more serious diagnosable condition in rare cases.
- GIP
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide — a second gut hormone, alongside GLP-1, that some newer medications (like tirzepatide) target together.
- GLP-1
A gut hormone (glucagon-like peptide-1) that stimulates insulin release, slows digestion, and reduces appetite; the target of drugs like semaglutide and liraglutide.
- GLP-1 face
A colloquial term for facial volume loss and skin laxity that can accompany rapid, significant weight loss on GLP-1 medications.
- GLP-1 receptor agonist vs. dual agonist
A comparison between single-hormone GLP-1 drugs (e.g. semaglutide) and dual-hormone GLP-1/GIP drugs (e.g. tirzepatide).
- Glucagon
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.
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
A regulatory standard ensuring medications are consistently produced and controlled to quality standards — a key marker of legitimacy for compounded or manufactured drugs.
- Grey market
The unauthorized sale of medications outside official manufacturer and pharmacy supply chains — legally distinct from counterfeit, but unregulated and risky.
- Half-life
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.
- InBody scan
A popular brand of bioelectrical impedance device used to measure body composition, often found in gyms and clinics.
- Incretin
A class of gut hormones, including GLP-1 and GIP, that trigger insulin release in response to food.
- Lean mass
Body weight from everything other than fat — primarily muscle, but also organs, bone, and water.
- LillyDirect
Eli Lilly's direct-to-patient platform offering telehealth access, home delivery, and savings programs for its medications, including Mounjaro and Zepbound.
- Maintenance dose
The stable, ongoing dose taken once titration is complete, intended to sustain treatment effects long-term.
- Medical necessity
The insurer's determination that a treatment is required to diagnose or treat a condition, often required for coverage approval.
- Mounjaro
Eli Lilly's brand name for injectable tirzepatide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
- Muscle protein synthesis
The biological process of building new muscle protein, stimulated by resistance exercise and dietary protein intake.
- Novo Nordisk
A Danish pharmaceutical company that manufactures semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), among other medications.
- NovoCare
Novo Nordisk's patient support platform offering savings programs, insurance guidance, and prescription access for its medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
- Off-label use
Prescribing a medication for a condition or in a manner not officially FDA-approved.
- Out-of-pocket maximum
The most you'll have to pay for covered services in a plan year before insurance covers 100% of costs.
- Ozempic
Novo Nordisk's brand name for injectable semaglutide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
- Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas — a rare but serious potential side effect of GLP-1 medications requiring immediate medical attention.
- Patient assistance program
A manufacturer- or nonprofit-run program that provides free or discounted medication to eligible patients who can't afford it.
- PBM (Pharmacy Benefits Manager)
A third-party company that manages prescription drug benefits on behalf of insurers or employers, including which drugs are covered.
- Peptide
A short chain of amino acids — the molecular structure underlying GLP-1 medications and the natural hormones they mimic.
- Prior authorization
Approval your insurer requires before it will cover a medication.
- Receptor agonist
A drug that binds to and activates a specific receptor, mimicking the effect of the body's natural hormone.
- Retatrutide
An investigational triple agonist medication (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon) developed by Eli Lilly, currently in clinical trials.
- Sarcopenia
The age- or illness-related loss of muscle mass and strength — a risk to monitor for during rapid weight loss.
- Satiation
The feeling of fullness that builds during a meal and signals you to stop eating.
- Satiety
The sense of fullness that persists between meals, delaying the return of hunger.
- Savings card
A manufacturer-provided coupon that reduces out-of-pocket cost for insured patients, typically not usable with government insurance.
- Seca scan
A medical-grade body composition measurement device made by Seca, using bioelectrical impedance to estimate fat and lean mass.
- Semaglutide
A GLP-1 receptor agonist medication made by Novo Nordisk, sold under the brand names Ozempic (diabetes) and Wegovy (weight management).
- Slow responder
A patient who experiences minimal appetite suppression or weight loss at typical doses, often requiring longer titration or higher doses to see results.
- Step therapy
A rule requiring you to try lower-cost options before a plan covers another.
- Telehealth
The broad use of digital communication technology to deliver healthcare services and information remotely.
- Telemedicine
The delivery of clinical medical services remotely, such as virtual doctor visits and prescribing — a subset of telehealth.
- Tirzepatide
A dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medication made by Eli Lilly, sold under the brand names Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management).
- Titration
The gradual, step-by-step increase of a medication dose over time, used to reduce side effects.
- Wegovy
Novo Nordisk's brand name for injectable semaglutide, FDA-approved for chronic weight management.
- Weight loss plateau
A period during treatment when weight loss slows or stalls despite continued medication use.
- Weight regain
The return of lost weight, commonly seen after reducing or stopping a GLP-1 medication.
- Zepbound
Eli Lilly's brand name for injectable tirzepatide, FDA-approved for chronic weight management.
- Zofran
Brand name for ondansetron, an anti-nausea medication sometimes prescribed alongside GLP-1 medications to manage nausea side effects.