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Could a GLP-1 medicine be an option for me?

GLP-1 check: what the guidelines say. 8 short questions, checked against the Indian guideline and the drug labels.

Takes about 1 minute Nothing you type leaves your device Every result cites its source

It never says "yes" or "you qualify". It shows what published rules say about answers like yours. A doctor decides.

Question 1 of 8
What brings you here?

Pick the one that fits best.

How this works

The check compares your answers with three sets of published rules. First, the drug labels (the official prescribing information approved by regulators): who should not take these medicines. Second, the Indian obesity guideline from the Endocrine Society of India (ESI 2025): when a doctor may consider medicine.1 Third, the Indian BMI cut-offs, which describe weight.2

Safety answers are checked first, so a "do not use" answer always wins over a BMI number. BMI is rounded to one decimal place before any rule is applied, so the number you see is the number we use. ESI 2025 says "above" 27 and "above" 25, so a BMI of exactly 27.0 or 25.0 does not count as above.1

The five results, and the rule behind each. Safety answers are checked first, from the top.

Usually not used for you

If your answers show any of these:

  • Medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2, in you or a close relative
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant
  • Severe gastroparesis (food stays in the stomach far too long)
  • A past serious allergic reaction to these medicines

Rule and source: the label lists it as a contraindication (a reason not to use the medicine) or says "not recommended"4,5,6,7; ESI drug table1

Talk to a specialist first

If your answers show any of these:

  • Under 18
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • An eating disorder
  • Past pancreatitis (a swollen, painful pancreas)
  • Severe kidney disease
  • Diabetic eye disease

Rule and source: teen approval from age 1210,11; semaglutide for weight not studied in type 14,5; eating-disorder concern15; caution after pancreatitis5; kidney and eye warnings4,5. BMI rules are still checked, and shown when they matter.

A doctor may consider it

If your answers show any of these:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • A BMI above 27
  • A BMI above 25 with a weight-related condition

Rule and source: Indian guideline (ESI 2025)1; semaglutide for type 2 diabetes is approved without a weight cut-off6

Usually not the first step

If your answers show any of these:

  • A BMI of 23 to 27 with no weight-related condition
  • A BMI of 23 to 25 with one
  • This includes people who want to lose a few kilos, or lose weight before an event

Rule and source: below the ESI line1; lifestyle is usually enough in stage 1 obesity (a BMI above 23 with no related illness, in a 2025 proposal from the India Obesity Commission)3

Below the range where they're used

If your answers show any of these:

  • A BMI below 23

Rule and source: Indian cut-offs2; weight approvals cover obesity, or overweight with a condition4,5

Some answers add notes for your doctor, whatever the result. These cover:

  • already taking another GLP-1, or a gliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor tablet such as sitagliptin)
  • gallstones or gallbladder problems
  • insulin and sulfonylureas (older diabetes tablets such as glimepiride)
  • the contraceptive pill
  • PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
  • planned surgery
  • heart disease
  • fatty liver
  • age 75 and over
  • not knowing your sugar levels

What this can't tell you

  • Whether a medicine is right for you. The guideline says counselling on benefits, limits, side effects and cost must come first.1 Only a doctor who examines you can weigh that up.
  • Which medicine, or what dose. We don't compare brands.
  • Anything about your waist, kidneys, liver or eyes. These need a check-up and tests.17
  • Everything on the labels. We ask about the most important answers. A doctor reviews the full list. See the full table in Guide 4.

In India, a government statement of 1 April 2026 said only endocrinologists, internal-medicine specialists and cardiologists can prescribe GLP-1 medicines.24,19 CDSCO expert-committee minutes attach a similar condition to some approvals (endocrinologist or internal-medicine specialist), but we found no rule covering every brand.25,26

Questions people ask

Does this check tell me if I qualify?

No. There's no "qualify". It shows what the Indian guideline and the labels say about answers like yours. A doctor decides, after weighing your whole health, the cost and the side effects.1

My BMI is 26. Is a GLP-1 an option?

The Indian guideline (ESI 2025) says a doctor may consider medicine above 25 only with a weight-related condition, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea. Without one, the line is above 27.1

Why are the Indian numbers lower than the label numbers?

South Asians tend to get weight-related illness at a lower BMI.1 The weight labels use a BMI of 30, or 27 with a weight-related condition.5,9 The Indian guideline uses above 27, or above 25 with a condition.1

Can a teenager take a GLP-1 in India?

In 2026, India approved semaglutide for weight management from age 12, in teens with obesity who weigh over 60 kg.10,11 The US label for tirzepatide for weight says it hasn't been shown safe and effective under 18.7 It's a decision for a children's specialist.

Is what I type saved or sent anywhere?

No. The check runs in your browser. Your answers aren't sent, stored or put in the web address. They disappear when you close the page.

Sources

  1. Madhu SV, Kapoor N, Das S, Raizada N, Kalra S. ESI clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of obesity in India: an update (2025). Indian J Endocrinol Metab, 2025;29(4):355–65. Recommendations B.1 ("Pharmacotherapy should be considered in patients with BMI >27 kg/m2 or in individuals with a BMI >25 kg/m2 with at least one associated comorbid medical condition such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and obstructive sleep apnea"), C.1–C.4; drug table. doi:10.4103/ijem.ijem_680_25 · Full text
  2. Misra A et al. Consensus statement for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome for Asian Indians. J Assoc Physicians India, 2009;57:163–70 (BMI 23 to 24.9 overweight, 25 or more obesity). PMID 19582986
  3. Misra A et al.; India Obesity Commission. Revised definition of obesity in Asian Indians living in India. Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2025;19:102989. Sections 7.4 (linked conditions, including fatty liver, osteoarthritis and PCOS) and 8.1 (stage 1). Declared interests: the lead author declares grants, lecture fees and travel from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, and from Indian makers including USV, Lupin, Cipla and Glenmark; a second author declares grants and lecture fees from Cipla, USV and Lupin (paper's own declaration). doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2024.102989
  4. Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information, US label, revised June 2026: boxed warning (the label's most serious warning), sections 1 (limitations of use), 4, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.10, 8.1, 8.4, 8.5, 14; Medication Guide (gallbladder problems). PDF
  5. European Medicines Agency. Wegovy summary of product characteristics (the European label): sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.8. PDF
  6. Novo Nordisk. Ozempic (semaglutide) prescribing information, US label, revised May 2026: sections 1, 8.3. PDF
  7. Eli Lilly. Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information, US label, revised August 2026: sections 1 (limitations of use), 4, 5.6, 8.3, 8.4. PDF
  8. Eli Lilly. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information, US label, revised August 2026: section 8.3. PDF
  9. ThePrint. Wegovy launched in India (Dr Ambrish Mithal on BMI 30, or 27 with conditions, for Wegovy and Mounjaro). 24 June 2025. Link
  10. IndiaMedToday. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy gets CDSCO nod for adolescent obesity in India. 29 May 2026. Link
  11. Business Standard. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy gets CDSCO nod for fatty liver disease indication (also reports the earlier nod for teens aged 12 or older with obesity and weight above 60 kg). 17 July 2026. Link
  12. Lincoff AM et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). NEJM, 2023;389:2221–32. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
  13. Wilding JPH et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab, 2022;24:1553–64. doi:10.1111/dom.14725
  14. American Society of Anesthesiologists. New multi-society GLP-1 clinical practice guidance released. 29 October 2024. Declared interests: in the guidance paper, 2 of 10 authors declare consulting or speaking fees from Novo Nordisk (paper's own declaration). Link
  15. The dual role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in weight management and eating disorders: potential benefits and risks. J Psychiatr Res, 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2026.03.008
  16. GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy and skeletal muscle: a narrative review with implications for older adults. JAR Life, 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jarlif.2026.100083
  17. Madhu SV et al. ESI clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of obesity in India (2022). Indian J Endocrinol Metab, 2022;26:295–318. Table 8, proposed investigations (includes HbA1c). Full text
  18. Business Standard. As generics wave builds up, Novo Nordisk slashes Ozempic, Wegovy prices ("Ozempic is indicated for diabetes management, while Wegovy is prescribed for obesity and weight management"). 31 March 2026. Link
  19. Outlook India. Inspections, surveillance to continue against unauthorised sale, promotion of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs: govt. 1 April 2026. Link
  20. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. Link
  21. ThePrint. Wegovy launched in India. 24 June 2025 (no longer cited on this page). Link
  22. CDSCO. Subject Expert Committee (Endocrinology & Metabolism), recommendations of 17 July 2025, item 3: semaglutide injection 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg (Novo Nordisk India), additional indication "to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease", "recommended for grant of approval". PDF (rolling file) · Archived copy
  23. CDSCO. Subject Expert Committee (Endocrinology & Metabolism), recommendations of 6 November 2025, item 1: semaglutide tablets 3, 7 and 14 mg (Novo Nordisk India), additional cardiovascular indication in adults with type 2 diabetes, "recommended for grant of approval". PDF · Archived copy
  24. Press Information Bureau (PIB Research). GLP-1 Drugs: Use, Risks, and Regulation ("In India, GLP-1 drugs can only be prescribed by endocrinologists, internal medicine specialists, and cardiologists"). 1 April 2026. PDF
  25. CDSCO. Subject Expert Committee (Endocrinology & Metabolism), recommendations of 20–21 April 2023, tirzepatide ("The drug should be sold by retail under prescription of Endocrinologist or internal medicine specialists only"). PDF · Archived copy
  26. CDSCO. Subject Expert Committee (Endocrinology & Metabolism), recommendations of 13–14 February 2024, semaglutide (approved warning: "To be sold by retail on the prescription of an Endocrinologist, and Internal medicine"). PDF · Archived copy
  27. Novo Nordisk. Ozempic (semaglutide) US prescribing information, revised May 2026: section 1 (every use is for adults with type 2 diabetes; no type 1 limitation). PDF
  28. European Medicines Agency. Ozempic (semaglutide) summary of product characteristics, sections 4.1 and 4.4 ("Semaglutide is not a substitute for insulin"). PDF
  29. Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide injection) product monograph, Health Canada, authorized 2 October 2026: section 7 (Hepatic/Biliary), and the patient information table (“Gallstones … sudden pain in the upper stomach or back, often on the right”). Checked 13 Oct 2026. PDF
  30. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 9. Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care, 2026;49(Suppl 1):S183–S215. Recommendation 9.18 (“Concurrent use of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors with a GLP-1 RA or a dual GIP and GLP-1 RA is not recommended due to lack of additional glucose lowering”); the section groups GLP-1 medicines and DPP-4 inhibitors together as incretin medications. Checked 13 Oct 2026. doi:10.2337/dc26-S009 · Full text

All sources last checked 5 Oct 2026 · Next review due Jan 2027

How this tool was made. Built by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above. Where we cite a label, it's the US or European label unless we say otherwise; we could not open the full Indian label texts. It's general information, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. In an emergency in India, call 112. How we write