Updates in the GLP-1 Landscape and an Exciting Event!

Before we begin, we want to invite you to an exciting upcoming event. My wife, menopause specialist, Dr. Jordan Mendoza, will be a guest expert at Intentional Pause, a one-day midlife workshop designed and hosted by Dr. Chrissy Chard.

It’s a thoughtful, in-person experience for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and midlife transitions; focused on helping them better understand what’s happening in their bodies, feel more grounded, and move forward with more clarity and confidence.

Jordan will be there to provide evidence-based education on hormones and help answer questions in a practical, approachable way.

👉 Learn more or sign up

Even if you can’t make it, feel free to share this with friends, family, or anyone in your circles who might benefit, we’d love to get this in front of the people who need it most.

The Evolving Landscape of GLP-1 Medications

The world of metabolic health is moving at a breakneck pace. If you feel like there is a new "miracle" medication hitting the headlines every week, you aren’t imagining it. As of early 2026, the landscape of GLP-1 medications has expanded from simple weekly injections to high-dose powerhouses and convenient daily pills.

Here is everything you need to know about what GLP-1s are and the newest options hitting pharmacy shelves.

The Basics: What is a GLP-1?

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a hormone your body naturally produces in the gut. It performs three main jobs:

1. Insulin Regulation: It tells your pancreas to release insulin when you eat.

   
   

2. Satiety: It signals your brain that you are full.

   
   

3. Digestion: It slows down "gastric emptying," meaning food stays in your stomach longer.

   
   

Medications like Wegovy and Zepbound are "agonists," meaning they mimic this hormone but last much longer in the body than the natural version, leading to significant weight loss and improved blood sugar.

Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide: What’s the Difference?

While they are often lumped together, these two molecules work differently:

• Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic): This is a single-receptor agonist. It mimics only the GLP-1 hormone. It has been the gold standard for several years and is highly effective for both weight loss and cardiovascular health.

  
  

• Tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro): This is a dual-receptor agonist. It mimics GLP-1 plus another hormone called GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide). Think of GIP as a "synergy" hormone—it helps the GLP-1 work better and may help reduce some of the nausea associated with these meds. Because it targets two pathways, clinical trials generally show higher weight loss percentages for tirzepatide compared to standard semaglutide.

  
  

What’s New: The Next Generation of Treatments

The biggest news in 2026 isn't just about what we are taking, but how we are taking it and how much.

1. High-Dose Wegovy (7.2 mg)

For a long time, the ceiling for Wegovy was a 2.4 mg weekly dose. However, the FDA recently approved a 7.2 mg high-dose version.

• Why? This dose was designed for patients who reached a plateau on the 2.4 mg dose.

  
  

• The Result: The STEP UP trials showed that moving to this higher dose could spark additional weight loss (averaging around 20% total body weight loss), though it does come with a higher likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects.

  
  

2. Oral Wegovy (The "Wegovy Pill")

In a massive win for those who are needle-phobic, oral semaglutide is now available for weight loss.

• The Catch: Unlike the injection, which you take once a week, the pill is a once-daily commitment.

  
  

• Protocol: To ensure it absorbs properly, you must take it first thing in the morning with no more than 4 oz of plain water and wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else.

  
  

3. Zepbound (Tirzepatide)

Zepbound remains the heavyweight champion for many, recently gaining further recognition for its benefits in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) alongside obesity. When using the cash pay program, it is now available in the KwikPen format, making the dual-agonist approach more accessible than ever.

4. Foundayo (Orforglipron) – The Newest Player

The most recent "game-changer" is Eli Lilly’s Foundayo, approved just this month (April 2026).

• What it is: Foundayo is a non-peptide, oral GLP-1.

  
  

• Why it’s unique: Unlike the Wegovy pill, Foundayo has no food or water restrictions. You can take it any time of day, with or without a meal. This solves the biggest "hassle" of previous oral metabolic medications.

  
  

• Effectiveness: In clinical trials (ATTAIN), it showed a weight loss of roughly 11-12%, making it a powerful, convenient "real-world" option for daily management.

Summary of Options (2026)

Medication	Molecule	Method	Frequency	Key Feature
Wegovy	Semaglutide	Injection	Weekly	Now available in ultra-high 7.2 mg dose.
Wegovy Pill	Semaglutide	Oral	Daily	First oral GLP-1; Required to be taken on empty stomach.
Zepbound	Tirzepatide	Injection	Weekly	Dual-action (GLP-1 + GIP) for max efficacy.
Foundayo	Orforglipron	Oral	Daily	Newest. No fasting or water restrictions.

Note: These medications are powerful tools, but they work best when paired with lifestyle changes. Always consult with your healthcare provider to see which "version" of the GLP-1 journey is right for your specific biology.