GLP-1 Medications Like Wegovy and Mounjaro for Weight Loss: How These "Weight Loss Injections" Work—and Who They're For

The key points

• GLP-1 medications are not lifestyle products, but medical treatments for obesity and severe overweight. They offer genuine—and in some cases outstanding—benefits, but they also come with real side effects.
• In Switzerland, these medications are prescription-only. Health insurance covers the cost only under strict eligibility criteria (as of 2026).
• The first step isn't simply to buy the medication. It's to find out whether a medically supervised treatment is appropriate and feasible for you.

Anyone who has ever seriously tried to lose weight knows the feeling: you eat more mindfully, become more physically active—and yet, at some point, your body seems to pull you back towards its previous weight. Maintaining weight is influenced by powerful biological mechanisms, including hormones, hunger and metabolism.

This is exactly where GLP-1 medications come in—the "weight loss injections" everyone has been talking about in recent months. This article explains how they work, who they are intended for, how to use them effectively and safely, and the risks involved. By the end, you'll be better equipped to decide whether this type of treatment may be right for you.

What are GLP-1 medications – the substance class behind the “weight-loss injections”?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that your intestines naturally release after you eat. GLP-1 medications mimic the effects of this hormone. Medically, they are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

There are different medications within this class. Some act only on the GLP-1 receptor (such as semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy®), while others also target a second receptor called GIP (such as tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro®). Most medications in this class are administered as subcutaneous injections.

All of these medications are prescription-only and should be used under medical supervision. Whether a particular medication—or any GLP-1 treatment at all—is appropriate should be decided jointly by you and your doctor after carefully weighing the expected benefits, potential risks and costs.

A structured treatment programme with regular medical follow-up helps improve adherence, ensures continuity of care and ultimately leads to better outcomes. Obesity is a recognised chronic disease with significant health consequences. For most people who are eligible, the benefits of appropriate medication clearly outweigh the relatively few—and usually temporary—side effects.

How do GLP-1 medications work in the body?

Think of GLP-1 as a messenger between your gut and your brain. It translates the signal "I've eaten" into "You're full." GLP-1 medications strengthen this signal, helping you feel full sooner and for longer than you normally would.

Specifically, these medications work in three ways:

• Appetite regulation: They act on areas of the brain that regulate hunger and reward. This reduces appetite and quiets what many people call "food noise"—the persistent thoughts and mental preoccupation with food.
• Slower gastric emptying: Food stays in the stomach for longer, helping you feel satisfied for longer after eating.
• Improved insulin response: They stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar levels are elevated. This is the original reason these medications were developed—to treat type 2 diabetes.

The first human study identifying GLP-1 as an effective satiety hormone was published as early as 1987 (Kreymann et al., The Lancet) [1]. In recognition of the discovery and development of this class of medicines, the researchers involved received the prestigious Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award in 2024.

In other words, GLP-1 is not a passing trend—it's the result of nearly four decades of scientific research.

What does treatment look like in everyday life?

Many people describe the following changes while taking GLP-1 medication:

• Feeling less hungry overall and becoming full sooner
• Fewer food cravings
• Naturally eating smaller portions—without feeling deprived

This is exactly the point that obesity specialists, including care physician Dr Melanie Walther, often emphasise:

"Weight loss is the natural result of a well-understood biological process that's being supported. Medication makes the essential changes to nutrition and lifestyle much easier to achieve, which is why the results can be so remarkable."

What about the injections?

Most GLP-1 medications are injected once a week into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin using a thin, pre-filled injection pen, usually in the abdomen or thigh. The needle is very fine, and after a brief introduction, most people find the injections straightforward and easy to administer.

What do the first few weeks feel like?

Treatment always starts with a low dose, which is gradually increased over time. This allows your body to adjust to the medication and improves tolerability.

During the first few weeks, mild gastrointestinal side effects are the most common (see Chapter 7). Weight loss is also usually gradual at first—which is both normal and intentional.

Who is a GLP-1 treatment for – and who isn’t it for?

In Switzerland, semaglutide and tirzepatide are approved by Swissmedic for weight management in adults with obesity (a body mass index [BMI] of 30 or above) or overweight (a BMI of 27 or above) with at least one weight-related condition, such as prediabetes, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea or high blood pressure. However, the eligibility criteria and health insurance reimbursement differ slightly between the two medications (see Chapter 9).

The key point is that these medications are intended for people whose weight has a significant impact on their health, both now and over the long term. They are designed to be part of a long-term, medically supervised treatment plan, not a short-term solution for a few weeks.

Whether treatment is suitable for you depends on your BMI and any weight-related health conditions. Certain pre-existing conditions—including some types of cancer, type 1 diabetes, a history of pancreatitis, psychiatric conditions, eating disorders, or certain rare inherited syndromes—should also be carefully discussed with your doctor before starting treatment.

If you're unsure whether this treatment may be right for you, our eligibility check can help you assess your options in just a few minutes, with no obligation.

How much weight can you realistically lose?

This varies greatly from person to person and depends on your starting point, genetics, how consistently you take the medication, and whether you follow a well-structured treatment plan. The lifestyle changes you make alongside the medication also play a major role in both how much weight you lose and how well you maintain that weight over time.

Here's what the research shows:

• In the STEP 1 trial, adults with overweight or obesity treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg lost an average of around 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks, compared with approximately 2–3% in the placebo group (Wilding et al., NEJM, 2021) [2].
• In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants receiving the highest dose of tirzepatide lost up to around 21% of their body weight on average over 72 weeks (Jastreboff et al., NEJM, 2022).

Two important points should be kept in mind. First, these are clinical trial results, not a guarantee of individual outcomes. Second—and this is often overlooked—all participants in these studies also received guidance on nutrition and physical activity. The medication was never used on its own, but always as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Benefits beyond weight loss

One particularly important aspect from a preventive health perspective is that the benefits of GLP-1 medications extend well beyond weight loss alone.

• Cardiovascular health: In the SELECT trial, which included more than 17,000 adults with obesity but without diabetes, semaglutide reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by around 20% (Lincoff et al., NEJM, 2023).
• Kidney health: The FLOW trial was stopped early because of its clear effectiveness. In people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, treatment reduced the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death by around 24% (NEJM, 2024).
• Liver health: For metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), data from the ESSENCE programme suggest that GLP-1 treatment may improve liver disease.

This aligns with care's integrative approach to preventive health. Weight is rarely an isolated issue—it is closely linked to the risk of metabolic disease and cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack and stroke. Once a meaningful amount of weight loss is achieved, the benefits extend far beyond cosmetic appearance or everyday comfort.

What side effects and risks are there?

Like any effective medication, GLP-1 medications can cause side effects. The most common are gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. These are usually mild to moderate and often improve as your body adjusts to the medication—which is why the dose is increased gradually.

Less common, but medically significant, side effects include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) and gallstones. A potential loss of muscle mass during weight loss is another important consideration (see Chapter 10). People who are also taking other diabetes medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas, have an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

That’s why the benefits and risks should always be carefully weighed—a decision that should be made together with a healthcare professional, not by yourself through online information alone.

Who is GLP-1 not suitable for?

There are situations in which GLP-1 medications are not recommended, for example in people with:

• A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)

• A history of recurrent pancreatitis

• A known allergy to the active ingredient

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding

  If you’re planning a pregnancy, it’s important to discuss your treatment with your doctor well in advance so the medication can be paused in a planned and medically supervised way.

This is not a complete list. Which factors are relevant in your individual case can only be determined during a medical assessment based on your full medical history.

How much does GLP-1 treatment cost in Switzerland?

Let’s start with health insurance. Since 1 March 2024, Switzerland’s mandatory basic health insurance may cover GLP-1 treatment for weight management—but only under strict eligibility criteria (the Federal Office of Public Health’s so-called Limitatio) [8]. As of 2026, the main requirements include:

• A BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI above 28 together with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes or obstructive sleep apnoea. (care accepts patients with a BMI of 27 or higher.)
• A prescription from an endocrinologist/diabetologist or a specialised obesity centre, usually following referral by a general practitioner.
• A professionally supervised nutrition and exercise programme.
• Continued reimbursement only if sufficient progress is achieved after 4 and 10 months and maintained thereafter.
• Coverage is limited to a maximum of three years.

Whether your health insurance covers treatment therefore depends on whether you meet these strict criteria—coverage is not automatic.

How is the care programme different?

The care Weight Loss Programme is independent of health insurance reimbursement and is a self-pay service. In return, you receive a comprehensive, physician-led treatment programme rather than medication alone.

What’s included in the care programme?

At care, you don’t simply receive a prescription—you receive a complete medical programme. In fact, the support surrounding the medication is likely to be just as important as the medication itself for achieving safe and lasting results.

The programme includes:

• A comprehensive weight loss assessment at the start of treatment, including blood tests, body composition analysis (muscle and fat mass) and blood pressure measurements. This establishes a medical baseline for safe treatment and allows your progress to be measured objectively over time.
• A detailed health and lifestyle questionnaire covering your medical history and daily habits.
• Monthly body composition analysis. Instead of focusing only on the number on the scale, you’ll see how much body fat you’ve lost—and, just as importantly, how much muscle mass you’ve preserved. This is one of the key factors for successful weight loss with GLP-1 medications (see Chapter 10). Losing weight is not the same as losing weight in a healthy way. You’ll be able to track your progress directly in the App.
• Monthly video consultations with your doctor, including nutritional and lifestyle guidance, support with side effects and dose adjustments where needed.
• Easy digital access and continuous support through the care App, where you can monitor your progress over time.

What about the medication itself?

You’re free to choose any pharmacy—something we believe is important. If you prefer, some pharmacies also offer home delivery in temperature-controlled packaging, although this may incur an additional cost. The exact medication costs depend on your prescribed treatment and the pharmacy you choose.

Ultimately, the value lies in the complete package: convenient digital access, continuous one-to-one medical support and regular measurements that make changes in your body composition visible. From the very beginning, the programme is designed to maximise safety while supporting healthy, sustainable weight loss.

Not sure whether this programme is right for you—or whether your health insurance may contribute to the costs? Our care Eligibility Check provides a personalised, physician-reviewed assessment in just a few minutes, with no obligation.

How do you keep your muscle?

Some of the weight you lose may come from muscle mass—and preserving muscle is essential for strength, metabolic health and long-term wellbeing. The following strategies are well supported by scientific evidence:

• Strength training: A high-protein diet alone is not enough. Regular resistance training is essential to help preserve muscle mass during weight loss.
• Adequate protein intake: Studies suggest that consuming around 1.1–1.6 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day helps preserve lean body mass during weight loss. As a practical guide, aim for 20–40 g of protein per meal.
• Fibre and vitamins: Fibre-rich foods help increase satiety, support healthy digestion and provide valuable nutrients. It’s also important to maintain an adequate intake of vitamins, even during periods when you’re eating less. Monitoring your vitamin status during treatment may be beneficial.
• Reduce alcohol consumption: Alcohol slows fat burning and is a major source of unnecessary calories. Try to keep alcohol intake to a minimum during treatment.
• Prioritise sleep and stress management: Aim for at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night on a regular schedule, and take steps to manage stress. Lower stress hormone levels support both weight loss and overall health.

What happens when you stop GLP-1 treatment?

When GLP-1 medication is discontinued, appetite and “food noise” often return, and some weight regain is common. This is a normal biological response—not a sign of failure. Obesity is a chronic disease, and the body’s biological mechanisms that regulate weight become active again once treatment stops.

For this reason, GLP-1 medications are generally intended as a long-term treatment, and discontinuing them should be done under medical supervision. Before stopping treatment, an appropriate strategy—including sustainable lifestyle habits—should already be in place.

The period after discontinuation can be challenging. It may involve uncertainty and some initial weight regain. Ongoing medical support during this phase can make the difference between short-term success and lasting results.

How does a GLP-1 treatment at care work?

The process is carefully structured and closely guided every step of the way:

1. Online eligibility check (approx. 5 minutes). If you’re not eligible for treatment, you can still book a comprehensive health check-up and work on weight loss without medication.
2. Weight Loss Check-up at a partner location, including blood tests and body composition analysis (approx. 20 minutes).
3. Medical video consultation (45 minutes) with your care physician.
4. Your personalised treatment plan, including medication (if appropriate) and tailored guidance on nutrition and physical activity, all accessible through the care App.
5. Monthly follow-up: progress review, video consultation, physician-led dose adjustments and ongoing support through the App—helping turn an initial success into lasting results.

Are you eligible?

Find out in just a few minutes with our no-obligation eligibility check. It assesses whether treatment may be suitable for you and, if appropriate, guides you directly to a physician-led medical assessment.

No pressure. No upfront costs. Reviewed by care’s team of FMH-certified physicians.

→ Check your eligibility

In brief

GLP-1 medications are an effective, well-established treatment for obesity, supported by extensive clinical evidence. They offer real benefits, come with real risks and should be used according to clear medical guidelines.

As we said at the beginning: body weight is largely driven by biology—and biology can be influenced in different ways. The right first step isn’t to simply buy a medication, but to find out whether this treatment is truly the right option for you. We’re here to help you make that decision.

Frequently asked questions

Are GLP-1 medications available without a prescription? No. In Switzerland, GLP-1 medications are prescription-only and are provided only after a medical assessment and prescription by a healthcare professional.

Is GLP-1 a “weight loss miracle”? No. It is an effective medical treatment that reduces hunger and quiets “food noise.” The real difference comes from combining the medication with healthy nutrition, regular physical activity and medical support. The medication makes the journey easier—it doesn’t replace it.

Does health insurance cover weight loss injections? Coverage through Switzerland’s mandatory basic health insurance is available only under very strict conditions and generally through specialised endocrinology or obesity centres (including a BMI of at least 30, or at least 28 with weight-related conditions, together with documented lifestyle changes).

The care Weight Loss Programme is independent of these reimbursement criteria and is a self-pay service. It is currently not covered by health insurance.

How much does the care programme cost?
You’re free to choose your preferred pharmacy. The cost difference between home delivery and receiving a prescription is generally limited to the delivery fee (around CHF 15). In addition, the programme includes comprehensive medical support: easy digital access, the care App, monthly video consultations and regular body composition analyses to track changes in both muscle and fat mass. The exact cost depends on your individual treatment plan and the pharmacy you choose.

What are the most common side effects? The most common side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly nausea, which often improves over time. More serious side effects are very rare and will be discussed with you before treatment begins.

Will I regain weight after stopping treatment?
It can happen, because appetite and the body’s metabolic regulation often return to their previous patterns after treatment ends. However, with a long-term treatment strategy, sustainable lifestyle changes and ongoing medical support, weight regain can often be minimised or prevented.

Medical disclaimer

This article is for general information and health education. It does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Whether a particular treatment is suitable for you is decided in a medical assessment. Prescription medications mentioned are available only on a doctor’s prescription. If you have health concerns, consult a doctor.