A 5-minute clinical assessment grounded in peer-reviewed research. Free, anonymous, built for India.
As covered in
BUSINESS TODAY
Generic semaglutide hits India — prices fall 90% as companies compete for patients
Read article →BLOOMBERG
Generic Ozempic to launch in India at $14 as patent expires for GLP-1 drugs
Read article →BUSINESS STANDARD
Dr Reddy's enters semaglutide market, launches diabetes generic drug Obeda
Read article →NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes — SELECT Trial
Read article →NATURE MEDICINE
Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide — 10.2% sustained over 4 years
Read article →WHO
WHO issues global guideline on GLP-1 medicines for treatment of obesity in adults
Read article →STAT NEWS
Semaglutide is going off-patent in India — but will people who need it be able to get it?
Read article →AJMC
FDA approves oral semaglutide — first GLP-1 pill for weight loss in adults
Read article →BUSINESS TODAY
India's weight loss drug moment — what happens when semaglutide goes generic
Read article →BUSINESS TODAY
Generic semaglutide hits India — prices fall 90% as companies compete for patients
Read article →BLOOMBERG
Generic Ozempic to launch in India at $14 as patent expires for GLP-1 drugs
Read article →BUSINESS STANDARD
Dr Reddy's enters semaglutide market, launches diabetes generic drug Obeda
Read article →NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes — SELECT Trial
Read article →NATURE MEDICINE
Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide — 10.2% sustained over 4 years
Read article →WHO
WHO issues global guideline on GLP-1 medicines for treatment of obesity in adults
Read article →STAT NEWS
Semaglutide is going off-patent in India — but will people who need it be able to get it?
Read article →AJMC
FDA approves oral semaglutide — first GLP-1 pill for weight loss in adults
Read article →BUSINESS TODAY
India's weight loss drug moment — what happens when semaglutide goes generic
Read article →The Evidence — India & Global
THE SCIENCE
GLP-1 is a hormone naturally released by your gut after eating. Semaglutide mimics this hormone, binding to receptors in the brain that control hunger and fullness. This reduces appetite and caloric intake without requiring willpower — the signal comes from your biology, not your discipline.
Effect begins within the first week of treatment and strengthens over the dose escalation period.
WHO GLP-1 Guideline, December 2025 →Food moves through your stomach at a slower rate, extending the feeling of fullness after meals. This reduces the frequency and intensity of hunger signals throughout the day, particularly the mid-morning and post-lunch hunger common in Indian dietary patterns.
Particularly effective for individuals with high-carbohydrate diets where blood sugar spikes drive hunger cycles.
STEP 1 Trial, NEJM 2021 →In people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, semaglutide stimulates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner — meaning it only acts when blood sugar is elevated. This reduces HbA1c levels while carrying minimal risk of hypoglycaemia at standard therapeutic doses.
The ICMR-INDIAB study found 101.3 million Indians living with diabetes — a population with the most to gain from this mechanism.
ADA Standards of Care 2026 →AM I A CANDIDATE?
You may be eligible
BMI ≥27.5, or ≥25 with a comorbidityESI India Guidelines →
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes diagnosedADA Standards 2026 →
PCOS with insulin resistanceEASO 2025 →
Cardiovascular disease + BMI ≥27SELECT Trial →
Prior weight loss attempts without sustained resultsSTEP trials →
Not currently suitable
Personal/family history of thyroid cancerESI India Guidelines →
History of pancreatitisESI India Guidelines →
Currently pregnant or breastfeedingWHO GLP-1 Guideline 2025 →
MEN2 syndromeESI India Guidelines →
Severe kidney disease (eGFR <15)ESI India Guidelines →
Not sure which applies to you?
Take our 5-minute clinical assessment →“
The SELECT trial enrolled participants who were 84% white. The FDA threshold was set for that population. South Asians develop metabolic disease at lower BMI. GLP-1 Check uses Indian-adjusted thresholds.
STAT News, March 2026 →254M
Indians with generalised obesity
ICMR-INDIAB 17 →43.3%
Metabolically obese at normal BMI
ICMR-INDIAB 23 →BMI ≥23
WHO Asia-Pacific overweight threshold for South Asians
WHO Asia Pacific Guidelines →CLINICAL TRANSPARENCY
GLP-1 therapy is clinically proven and well-tolerated by most patients. As with all medications, side effects are possible. Understanding them helps you have an informed conversation with your doctor.
Typically occur during the dose escalation phase and reduce over time for most patients.
Nausea
Most frequently reported. Usually mild to moderate, peaks in first 4–8 weeks during dose escalation. Eating smaller meals helps.
STEP 1 Trial — NEJM 2021 →Diarrhoea
Common in early weeks. Typically self-resolving as body adjusts to the medication.
STEP 1 Trial — NEJM 2021 →Vomiting
Often associated with nausea. Slower dose escalation reduces incidence significantly.
STEP 1 Trial — NEJM 2021 →Constipation
Due to slowed gastric emptying. Increased water intake and dietary fibre are recommended.
STEP 1 Trial — NEJM 2021 →Abdominal pain
Mild cramping, particularly during early treatment. Usually transient.
STEP 2 Trial — Lancet 2021 →Muscle loss (Sarcopenia)
Particularly relevant for Indians. The thin-fat Indian phenotype means muscle preservation requires deliberate protein intake and resistance exercise during treatment.
ICMR-INDIAB + STEP trials →These require immediate medical attention if symptoms appear. Your doctor will screen for risk factors before prescribing.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas. Contraindicated in patients with history of pancreatitis. Seek urgent care if severe abdominal pain develops.
ESI India Guidelines →Gallbladder disease
Increased rate of gallstones and gallbladder inflammation observed in trials, likely due to rapid weight loss. Gallbladder symptoms should be reported promptly.
STEP 1 Trial — NEJM 2021 →Acute kidney injury
Usually secondary to severe dehydration from GI side effects. Staying well hydrated and reporting prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea is essential.
WHO GLP-1 Guideline 2025 →Thyroid tumours
Seen in rodent studies. Absolute contraindication for anyone with personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2 syndrome.
ESI India Guidelines →Diabetic retinopathy worsening
Rapid improvement in blood sugar in T2D patients can temporarily worsen pre-existing diabetic retinopathy. Eye examination before starting treatment is recommended.
SUSTAIN-6 Trial →Heart rate increase
Small but consistent increase in resting heart rate of 2–4 bpm observed. Monitoring recommended in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions.
SELECT Trial — NEJM 2023 →Most side effects are manageable and reduce over time
Clinical trials show 75–80% of patients who experience GI side effects see significant improvement after the first 4–8 weeks. Always start under physician supervision with gradual dose escalation. Our triage tool screens for the major contraindications automatically.
INDIA DRUG LANDSCAPE
On March 21, 2026, Novo Nordisk's patent expired in India. Overnight, 50+ generic brands launched — cutting monthly costs by up to 90%. Here's what's available now.
| Brand | Company | Est. Price | Format | Indication | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noveltreat | Sun Pharma | ₹~4,500/mo | Prefilled pen | Obesity | Business Standard → |
| Obeda | Dr. Reddy's | ₹4,200/mo | Pen | T2D | Business Standard → |
| Semaglyn | Zydus | ₹2,200/mo | Reusable pen | T2D + Obesity | India TV News → |
| SUNDAE | Eris/Natco | ₹220/shot | Vial | T2D | Business Today → |
| Samakind | Mankind | TBC | Pen | Multiple | Business Standard → |
Prices are indicative as of March 2026. Source links provided for each entry. GLP-1 Check does not endorse any brand. Always consult a physician before starting treatment.
Full Brand Guide →·Not covered by most Indian health insurance policies
·No government scheme coverage currently available
·Doctor consultation: ₹500–2,000 additional
·Prices vary by dose strength — starter dose is lowest
The Process
Height, weight, waist circumference, age — the inputs that Indian clinical guidelines actually use.
An instant Green, Amber, or Red result with the clinical evidence behind every decision.
Green or Amber? We connect you to a qualified doctor via WhatsApp. No spam, no cold calls.
Takes 5 minutes. No account needed. Grounded in the same clinical evidence your doctor uses.
