Names like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound come up in the news, with friends, and increasingly in psychiatric visits. A newer name, retatrutide, has also been in the headlines. It is easy to lose track of which of these GLP-1 medications is which, what each is approved for, and how they fit alongside mental health care.
This Insight explains the differences between semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide: how each works, the brand names you may hear, where each stands with the FDA, and what patients in psychiatric care should consider. At Mindful Over Matter in Palm Springs, serving West Palm Beach, Jessica Kofman, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, and Dianna Maldonado, APRN, PMHNP-BC (bilingual English/Spanish), approach these questions through a psychiatry-forward, whole-person lens. We are not a weight-loss clinic. We care about how metabolic health, mood, eating patterns, sleep, and medications affect one another.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a gut hormone released after eating. It helps signal fullness, slows stomach emptying, and supports glucose-dependent insulin release. GLP-1 receptors are also found in brain areas involved in appetite. Medications that activate this receptor are called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
“GLP-1 medications” has become shorthand for a broader family. Some newer drugs act on more than one hormone receptor. They share GLP-1 activity but add other signals:
More receptors do not automatically mean “better” for any one person. Each medication has its own approved uses, side effects, and evidence.
| Medication | How it works | Brand names | FDA status and approved uses (U.S.) | How it is taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Ozempic, Wegovy, Wegovy HD, Rybelsus | FDA-approved. Ozempic: type 2 diabetes, including reducing cardiovascular risk and kidney-disease progression in certain adults. Rybelsus: type 2 diabetes, including cardiovascular risk reduction in certain high-risk adults. Wegovy: chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction in certain adults; the injection is also approved for some adolescents 12+ and for certain adults with MASH (a form of fatty liver disease). Wegovy HD (higher dose): weight management in certain adults. | Ozempic, Wegovy, and Wegovy HD: once-weekly injection. Rybelsus and Wegovy tablets: once-daily pill with specific empty-stomach instructions. |
| Tirzepatide | Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist | Mounjaro, Zepbound | FDA-approved. Mounjaro: type 2 diabetes in adults and in children 10 and older. Zepbound: chronic weight management in certain adults and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. | Once-weekly injection |
| Retatrutide | Triple GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptor agonist | None. Retatrutide has no brand name because it has not been approved. | Investigational. Not FDA-approved for any use. The manufacturer has reported Phase 3 results and has said it plans to submit an application to the FDA in the first quarter of 2027. | Studied as a once-weekly injection in clinical trials only |
Summarized for general education; each approval applies only to specific patient groups in the prescribing information. Status as of September 2026.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient behind several brands that differ mainly in approved uses and doses. Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management, and Wegovy tablets became the first oral GLP-1 approved for weight management in December 2025. In March 2026, the FDA approved a higher 7.2 mg weekly dose, Wegovy HD, for certain adults who have already tolerated the standard dose.
Because one molecule appears under several names, combining semaglutide products, or combining semaglutide with another GLP-1 medication, is not recommended. Share a complete medication list with every clinician.
Tirzepatide activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, both of which are found in brain areas involved in appetite. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is approved for chronic weight management and for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Sleep apnea matters in psychiatric care because poor sleep can worsen mood, anxiety, focus, and energy.
Retatrutide adds a third signal, glucagon, which researchers are studying for its possible effects on energy expenditure and liver fat. In May 2026, Eli Lilly reported topline results from its Phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 trial. At 80 weeks, participants on the highest studied dose (12 mg) lost an average of 28.3% of body weight, compared with 2.2% on placebo. These are company-reported group averages, not a prediction for any individual, and full peer-reviewed publication is still expected. In July 2026, the company said it plans to submit retatrutide to the FDA in the first quarter of 2027.
Products sold online as “retatrutide,” including those labeled “for research use only,” are not FDA-approved medications. The FDA has also warned about unapproved GLP-1 products that may contain the wrong ingredient, the wrong strength, or contaminants. Mindful Over Matter does not provide retatrutide. The only legitimate way to receive it today is through a registered clinical trial.
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, especially during dose increases: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, and reflux. Fatigue, injection-site reactions, and hair loss have also been reported.
Important warnings in the prescribing information for approved medications in this class include:
In 2023, reports of suicidal thoughts in people taking GLP-1 medications prompted regulatory reviews. In April 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s safety committee concluded that the evidence did not support a causal link. In January 2026, after a comprehensive review, the FDA reported finding no increased risk of suicidal ideation or behavior with GLP-1 receptor agonists. It asked manufacturers to remove that warning from the Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda labels.
That is reassuring, but it does not replace individual attention. Mood can shift during any major health change, including changes in eating, sleep, stress, and body image. If you notice new or worsening depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm, tell your clinician promptly. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.
Many patients describe quieter “food noise,” meaning fewer intrusive thoughts about food. Researchers are studying how these medications affect reward and appetite pathways, including in binge eating and other conditions. However, no GLP-1 medication is FDA-approved to treat binge eating disorder, depression, anxiety, or any psychiatric condition. For anyone with a history of restrictive eating, bulimia, or other eating disorders, appetite-suppressing medications need careful screening and close follow-up.
GLP-1 medications slow stomach emptying and can affect how oral medications are absorbed, particularly early in treatment and after dose increases. The tirzepatide label specifically advises that oral hormonal contraceptives may be less effective for a period after starting and after each dose increase. For psychiatric medications that depend on steady blood levels, such as lithium, it is worth watching for changes. Some psychiatric medications can also contribute to weight gain, which is worth discussing openly. Never stop or change a psychiatric medication on your own.
When a GLP-1 medication is part of someone’s health plan, psychiatric care helps keep the whole picture in view: screening for eating disorders, tracking mood and sleep, reviewing interactions, and supporting a healthy relationship with food and body image. At Mindful Over Matter, medication management means reviewing every medication you take, not just psychiatric ones. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can clarify how mood, eating patterns, and metabolic health connect for you. Our concierge-style approach allows time for these conversations. Hormones can play a role too. Our Insight on HRT, hormones, and mood explores that overlap. If you would like to learn about nutrition and metabolic support within whole-person care, see our nutrition and weight support page.
Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide. Mounjaro and Zepbound both contain tirzepatide. In each pair, the brands have different approved uses and dosing.
No. As of September 2026, retatrutide is investigational and has no brand name. The manufacturer has said it plans to submit it to the FDA in early 2027.
Many people do, but it should be an individualized decision with your prescribers, who can review interactions, eating-disorder history, and monitoring.
Taking or considering a GLP-1 medication and want support for mood, eating patterns, or medication questions? We are here to help. Call (561) 814-8143 or contact us to schedule. Care is available in Palm Springs, serving West Palm Beach, and through telehealth for eligible patients.
Educational medical disclaimer: This article is for general education and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or an endorsement of any medication, and it does not promise any result. FDA indications apply only to the patient groups in each product’s prescribing information and may change. Retatrutide is investigational and not FDA-approved; do not buy or use unapproved or “research” peptide products. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you may hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 or call or text 988 in the United States.
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