Myths and Facts About Oral GLP-1s for Obesity

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3. Myth: Oral GLP-1 Pills Are Easier to Stick to Over the Long-Term

In one follow-up study of injectable semaglutide, for instance, people regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost within one year of stopping the medication.

 This research didn’t examine the pill form, but both the oral and injectable forms of semaglutide contain the same active ingredient and work through the same pathway, Garcia-Webb says.

The bottom line: Taking a pill doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to use it for the long-term. How long you take an oral GLP-1 depends on its benefits, side effects, cost, and your health needs.

4. Fact: Oral GLP-1s Can Cause Many of the Same Side Effects as the Injectables

Taking a GLP-1 by mouth doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easier to tolerate. “The side effects aren’t caused by the delivery method, but instead by the medication itself,” Connor says.

Common side effects of oral GLP-1s are similar to those of injectable GLP-1s, and include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Fatigue
Both oral and injectable GLP-1s also carry some similar, less common but potentially serious risks. These include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallbladder problems, severe digestive problems, and kidney injury caused by dehydration.

With oral GLP-1s, side effects are often most noticeable when you first start treatment or increase the dose, and may ease over time, Connor says. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop severe or persistent symptoms.

5. Myth: Oral GLP-1s Make Your Body Burn Calories Faster

There are plenty of pills and supplements that claim to be “metabolism boosters.” An oral GLP-1, however, isn’t one of them.

GLP-1 medications don’t speed up your metabolism or make your body burn calories faster, Connor says. Instead, they help reduce hunger and help you reach a sense of fullness sooner.

They can also slow the rate at which food leaves your stomach, which may help you stay full longer after eating.

“It’s not uncommon for people [taking GLP-1 medications] to report that they’re not thinking about food as much,” Connor says. You may also feel satisfied with smaller portions or have less desire to keep eating after a meal. Together, these effects may make a reduced-calorie eating plan easier to follow when taking a GLP-1 medication.

6. Fact: A GLP-1 Pill Isn’t Necessarily More Convenient Than an Injection

Popping a pill may sound simpler than giving yourself an injection, but oral GLP-1s require some prep work, too.

If you’re prescribed semaglutide tablets, for example, you’ll need to take the medication in the morning on an empty stomach with no more than 4 ounces of plain water. You must then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications by mouth.

Skipping these steps may reduce how much semaglutide your body absorbs, which can make the medication less effective, Connor says.

By comparison, you take injectable semagultide once a week, at any time of day, with or without food.

 For some people, that schedule may be more manageable than following the tablet instructions.

Orforglipron, however, has fewer timing restrictions — you take it once daily, at any time and with or without food.

7. Myth: You Can Eat Whatever You Want (and Skip Exercise) While Taking an Oral GLP-1

While you may eat smaller portions or have fewer cravings for certain foods, your body still needs nutrients and adequate fluids when you take a GLP-1, Connor says.

Semaglutide tablets and orforglipron are intended for use with a reduced-calorie eating plan and increased physical activity.

 Connor recommends viewing these medications as tools that can make healthy habits more achievable, not as a replacement for them.

Moreover, people taking both oral and injectable GLP-1s can lose muscle as well as fat — and losing too much muscle can interfere with your strength, balance, and stamina, making daily activities difficult and increasing the risk of falls, especially with age.

To preserve muscle mass, you’ll need to do strength-training exercises and eat enough protein.

Some experts recommend getting more than 1.2 grams (g) of protein per kilogram (kg) of body weight (or about .55 g per lb) daily while using a GLP-1 medication,

but your needs may differ, so talk to your care team or a registered dietitian first.

8. Fact: Oral and Injectable GLP-1 Medications Should Not Be Combined

“[Oral and injectable GLP-1 medications] should absolutely not be combined,” Garcia-Webb says. “Combining them is not safe or indicated for obesity treatment,” she adds.

That includes taking semaglutide tablets and orforglipron together or taking these medications with any other injectable GLP-1.

Healthcare providers may sometimes prescribe a GLP-1 along with an older non-GLP-1 weight loss medication, such as phentermine, which works differently, Garcia-Webb says. Not only does this type of combination require strict guidance from a prescriber, it’s different from taking two GLP-1 medications, which is not recommended, she notes.

If you’re changing from an injectable GLP-1 to an oral version or vice versa, follow your prescriber’s recommendation for when to stop the first medication and begin the new one.



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