# Who qualifies for a GLP-1 weight-loss prescription?

Under the FDA-approved Wegovy label, adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) qualify, as do adults with overweight (BMI ≥ 27) who also have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol; pediatric patients aged 12 and older with obesity also qualify. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states, in its FDA-approved Wegovy prescribing information (August 2025): "WEGOVY is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity … to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in: Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity. Adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related [comorbid condition]."

## What the FDA label actually says
Per the current Wegovy Prescribing Information (revised August 2025), Wegovy is "indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity … to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in: Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity" and in "Adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition."

## What "weight-related comorbid condition" usually means in practice
The conditions most commonly cited by prescribers are type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol), and obstructive sleep apnea.

## Who the FDA label explicitly excludes
Per the label''s boxed warning and contraindications section, Wegovy is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), and patients with a known hypersensitivity to semaglutide.

## What telehealth clinics do differently
Some telehealth services will consider off-label prescribing for patients slightly outside FDA criteria. That is a clinical judgment call the prescriber makes; it is not an "FDA-approved" use for those patients.

## Source
FDA-approved Wegovy Prescribing Information (August 2025 revision), accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/215256s024lbl.pdf

## Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — FDA-approved Wegovy prescribing information (August 2025): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/215256s024lbl.pdf

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Published: 2026-07-19T23:35:42.249Z
Modified: 2026-07-19T23:35:42.249Z
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