Wondering whether you qualify for a GLP-1 medication? The goal of eligibility screening is to confirm that treatment is medically appropriate, safe, and sustainable for your health profile.
While only a licensed clinician can determine eligibility, most evaluations consider:
Many programs use BMI plus clinical context. Some individuals qualify based on weight thresholds alone; others qualify based on weight plus weight-related conditions. Your clinician should also consider weight history and prior lifestyle interventions.
Your current prescriptions and supplements matter, especially if you take medications that affect blood sugar or appetite.
GLP-1 therapy is most effective with nutrition, movement, and follow-up. A responsible provider sets expectations about timelines, side effects, and what happens if you stop treatment.
Not everyone is a candidate. A proper review screens for conditions where GLP-1 therapy may be inappropriate or require special caution, along with pregnancy status and relevant family history.
Have your height, weight, medication list, and any recent labs available. Write down your goals and constraints (budget, travel schedule, injection comfort).
If you’re told you do not qualify, your next step should still be constructive: alternatives, lifestyle support, or in-person medical referral when needed. Eligibility is not about “selling a product.” It’s about matching the right care to the right patient.
If your GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP medication is provided in a vial (rather than a prefilled pen), accurate measurement is critical. Many injection-related problems are not “medication failures,” but simple measurement errors that can increase side effects and risk.
This guide is not a substitute for your prescription label. Always follow your clinician’s specific dosing instructions.
Know the three measurement concepts
Your prescription and pharmacy label should connect these safely (for example, dose in mg + the corresponding syringe units for your specific concentration). If you don’t see that mapping, stop and contact your clinician or pharmacy before injecting.
(covered above via prescription + pharmacy label connection)
If you miss a dose, do not “double” to catch up. Contact your care team for instructions based on your prescription.
Severe or persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, severe abdominal pain, or any symptom that feels abnormal warrants medical attention.
There isn’t a universal “forbidden foods” list for semaglutide. But because semaglutide can slow digestion, certain foods are more likely to trigger discomfort—especially early in treatment.
Think “gentle, small, steady.” Many people do better with smaller meals, eaten more slowly, emphasizing protein and easy-to-digest fiber.
The most useful approach is a short “food journal”: what you ate, portion size, timing, and symptoms. This helps you personalize choices rather than following overly strict lists.
If you cannot keep fluids down, have signs of dehydration, or symptoms are severe or persistent, reach out to your care team. Don’t self-adjust dosing.
Tirzepatide-based therapy may be used in clinician-guided programs for chronic weight management in appropriate patients, alongside nutrition and physical activity changes.
A clinician must screen for contraindications and risk factors. Patients should disclose current medications, past adverse reactions, pregnancy status, and relevant family history.
Patients must know what symptoms require immediate medical attention (severe or persistent vomiting, dehydration signs, severe abdominal pain, allergic reactions), and how to reach your clinical support.
If compounded: state clearly that compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and are not evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality prior to marketing.
If medication is provided in a vial, dosing errors are a known risk when patients measure doses themselves. Provide a step-by-step injection basics guide, measurement safety reminders, and “contact your clinician if unsure” instructions.
