What Are GLP-1 Medications?

When you eat, your gut naturally releases GLP-1, a hormone that signals to the brain that you are full, slows the rate at which the stomach empties, and prompts the body to manage blood sugar. GLP-1 medications replicate and extend this effect, helping many people experience a notable reduction in appetite and what is often described as reduced "food noise" — the constant background preoccupation with food.

The GLP-1 medicines you may already be taking

Wegovy contains the active substance semaglutide, which acts on GLP-1 receptors. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a newer active substance that acts on both GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors — making it a dual agonist. To understand more about the GIP pathway and how it differs, see our explainer on what GIP and GLP-1 receptors do. For a deeper look at the GLP-1 hormone itself, what GLP-1 is and how it works covers the science in plain language.

PCOS and GLP-1 medications

Some people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are prescribed GLP-1 medications as part of their management plan, given the overlap between insulin resistance, weight, and PCOS. Whether a GLP-1 medicine is appropriate for any individual with PCOS is a decision that belongs entirely with their prescriber or doctor — it is not a one-size-fits-all answer. If this applies to you, any questions about suitability should be directed to your healthcare professional.

Common effects people report

Many people on GLP-1 medications report feeling fuller more quickly, eating smaller portions more comfortably, and experiencing less preoccupation with food between meals. Slower gastric emptying — food moving more gradually through the stomach — is a commonly described mechanism behind both these feelings and some of the gastrointestinal side effects that can occur, such as nausea, particularly in the early weeks. These effects are commonly reported but not universal, and the experience varies from person to person.

For a broader overview of how these medicines are understood to work, an overview of GLP-1 medicines provides helpful context, and the guide to how Mounjaro works goes into further detail on tirzepatide specifically. According to NHS guidance, these medicines are prescription-only and should always be used as part of a wider programme of diet and lifestyle support overseen by a clinician.

Understanding how your medication is working is one thing — being able to see it clearly, over time, in your own data is another. GLP Trackr's insights and analytics are built specifically for this: the app surfaces correlations between your dose timing, food intake, sleep, mood, and weight so you can see what is actually shifting as your journey progresses. It is not a clinical tool, but it gives you a richer picture to bring to appointments with your prescriber.

Because GLP-1 medicines are taken on a weekly schedule, the dose and injection logging feature also makes it straightforward to keep an accurate record of every injection — date, dose strength, and site — so nothing gets lost between appointments. If you ever have a question about your dosing pattern, having a complete log makes that conversation with your prescriber much more grounded.

GLP Trackr is available free to download with a 7-day trial on the App Store and Google Play — give it a try and start building a clear picture of your own journey from day one.

GLP Trackr provides general information and tracking tools — it is not a substitute for advice from your prescriber or doctor. If you have any concerns about your medication, your symptoms, or whether a GLP-1 medicine is right for you, always speak with your healthcare professional.