Adlyxin for Weight Loss: Evidence, Eligibility, Coverage
The GLP-1 medicines FDA approved for weight loss are Wegovy, Zepbound, Foundayo and Saxenda; Adlyxin is not one of them.
- Approved for weight loss
- 4 of 10 brands
- Best result (SURMOUNT-1)
- 20.9% weight loss
Weight loss and half-life at a glance
Half-life in days: the time your body needs to remove half a dose. This figure comes from section 12.3 in each FDA label.
A percentage of body weight. Doses and lengths vary from trial to trial, so read each one against the placebo listed on its page.
Is weight loss an approved use for Adlyxin?
| Medicine | For weight loss | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
 Wegovy | FDA approved | weekly injection or daily tablet | 14.9% weight loss |
 Zepbound | FDA approved | weekly injection | 20.9% weight loss |
 Foundayo | FDA approved | daily tablet | 11.1% weight loss |
 Saxenda | FDA approved | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
 Ozempic | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Rybelsus | Not an approved use | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Mounjaro | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Trulicity | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Victoza | Not an approved use | daily injection | Not listed |
| Byetta | Not an approved use | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
Sources: the DailyMed FDA label.
Who qualifies?
| Who sets the rule | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| Ozempic | For adults who have type 2 diabetes, blood sugar goes down when the medicine is used with diet and exercise. |
| Ozempic | Adults with type 2 diabetes plus heart disease have a lower chance of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. |
| Ozempic | For adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, it cuts the chance that kidney disease worsens. Kidney failure and heart-related death also become less likely. |
| Wegovy | For adults who have heart disease plus obesity or overweight, heart-related death, heart attack, or stroke becomes less likely (injection and tablets). |
| Wegovy | For adults and children age 12 and up who have obesity, plus adults who are overweight with a weight-related condition, this medicine supports losing weight and keeping the weight off over the long term when paired with diet and activity. |
| Wegovy | For MASH liver disease with moderate to advanced scarring and no cirrhosis, adults use the injection. |
| Wegovy | The tablets are approved for adult weight loss and heart risk. |
| Rybelsus | For adults who have type 2 diabetes, blood sugar goes down when the medicine is used with diet and exercise. |
| Rybelsus | For adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk, it lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. |
| Mounjaro | For anyone age 10 and older who has type 2 diabetes, this medicine lowers blood sugar when taken with diet and exercise. |
| Mounjaro | For adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk, it lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. |
| Zepbound | For adults with obesity, or overweight plus a condition linked to weight, it supports weight loss and long-term maintenance when used with diet and activity. |
| Zepbound | For adults with obesity, this medicine treats moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. |
| Foundayo | For adults with obesity, or overweight plus a condition linked to weight, it supports weight loss and long-term maintenance when used with diet and activity. |
| Trulicity | For anyone age 10 and older who has type 2 diabetes, this medicine lowers blood sugar when taken with diet and exercise. |
| Trulicity | Adults with type 2 diabetes plus heart disease have a lower chance of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death or several heart risk factors. |
| Saxenda | Diet and activity support weight loss and keeping the weight off long term. This covers children 12 and older with obesity (over 60 kg), plus adults who have obesity, or adults who have overweight and a weight-related condition. |
| Victoza | For anyone age 10 and older who has type 2 diabetes, this medicine lowers blood sugar when taken with diet and exercise. |
| Victoza | Adults with type 2 diabetes plus heart disease have a lower chance of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. |
| Byetta | For adults who have type 2 diabetes, blood sugar goes down when the medicine is used with diet and exercise. |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | BMI 35 or higher, no condition needed |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | The rule combines a BMI of 30 or higher with heart failure, uncontrolled blood pressure, or CKD 3a+ |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | A BMI of 27 or higher, plus PAD, prediabetes, or a prior stroke or heart attack |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 30 or higher |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 27 or higher with a weight-related condition |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | the listed rule puts a 6-month diet and activity program first |
Trial results for weight loss
| Trial | Medicine | Who took part | Length | People | Main result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Wegovy | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 68 weeks | 1,961 | 14.9% weight loss | 2.4% on placebo |
| OASIS 4 | Wegovy | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 64 weeks | 307 | 13.6% weight loss | 2.4% on placebo |
| SURMOUNT-1 | Zepbound | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 72 weeks | 2,539 | 20.9% weight loss | 3.1% on placebo |
| SURMOUNT-5 | Zepbound | Adults with obesity, without type 2 diabetes | 72 weeks | 751 | 20.2% weight loss | Not listed |
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Saxenda | Adults who have obesity or overweight but not type 2 diabetes | 56 weeks | 3,731 | 7.4% weight loss | 3% on placebo |
| ATTAIN-1 | Foundayo | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 72 weeks | 3,127 | 11.1% weight loss | 2.1% on placebo |
For the evidence, see STEP 1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), SURMOUNT-1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), SURMOUNT-5 (PubMed), SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)), ATTAIN-1 (FDA label (DailyMed)).
How is weight loss different?
| What changes | What the label says | Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Pancreatitis | Can cause inflammation of the pancreas. Stop the medicine and get care if severe stomach pain continues. | All of them |
| Acute Gallbladder Disease | Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can happen. Report upper right belly pain, a fever, or yellow skin or eyes. | All of them |
These details come from FDA labels. See DailyMed label.
These label warnings come from the FDA label (DailyMed).
Coverage for weight loss
A GLP-1 used only for weight loss is not covered by Medicare Part D.
If you meet its rules, Wegovy is listed under Medicare GLP-1 Bridge at $50 each month.
For GLP-1s used for weight loss that Medicaid covers, you normally need prior authorization.
Sources: humana.com, CMS, KFF.
- Ozempic Coupon
- Ozempic Cost
- Ozempic Cost Without Insurance
- Ozempic Cost With Insurance
- Is Ozempic Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
- Does Medicare Cover Ozempic? Part D Rules and the GLP-1 Bridge
- Ozempic Patient Assistance
- Cheapest Way to Get Ozempic
- Does Medicaid Cover Ozempic? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Under the label's weight rule, do I qualify, and does my plan set its own rule?
- Which of the weight-related conditions in my record qualify?
- What weight loss should I expect in the first year?
- What happens if I stop taking it?