GLP-1 Delivery Methods: Let’s Talk About Your Options – Pills, Shots, and Those Patches You’ve Been Hearing About 

By Dr. David LaMond, Medical Director, Blue Sky MD 

I can’t tell you how many times patients walk into my office with questions about GLP-1 medications. “Doc, what’s the difference between the shot and the pill?” “Are those patches on social media for real?” “Which one should I try?” 

I get it. There’s a lot of confusing information out there. So, let’s sit down and have an honest conversation about your real options, what the science actually says, and what might work best for you. 

Here’s What You Really Need to Know About GLP-1 Options

Bottom line? You’ve got two proven options which work: the weekly injection and the daily pill. Both are FDA-approved, both have solid research behind them, and both can help you reach your health goals. Those patches you’re seeing advertised everywhere? Well, we need to talk about those too. 

The Weekly GLP-1 Shot: Still the Champion 

What We’re Talking About 

This is semaglutide in injection form. You might know it as Ozempic (for diabetes) or Wegovy (for weight loss). It’s a once-a-week shot that you give yourself using a pen that’s honestly easy to use. Most of my patients are surprised at how simple it is. 

What the Research Shows 

Here’s why I often start the conversation here, with semaglutide injections: 

• Weight Loss:
  We’re seeing people lose 10% of their body weight and maintain it on average a year or more with proper coaching/nutrition changes 

• Blood Sugar:
  If you have diabetes, your A1C typically drops by 1.5-1.8% 

• Heart Health:
  This is big – we’ve proven it reduces heart attacks and strokes by 20% 

• Real-World Results:
  In my practice and others, people are consistently seeing great results 

Why Patients Love It 

• It works really well – probably our most effective option 
• Once a week and you’re done 
• We have a decade of data showing it’s safe 
• If you have heart disease, this gives you extra heart protection 

The Not-So-Great Parts 

• Yes, it’s a shot (but honestly, most people get used to it quickly) 
• You might feel nauseous when you start . This is totally normal and usually gets better.
• It’s expensive – around $1,300+ a month (though insurance can help and there are affordable compounded options available through Blue Sky) 
• Needs to stay cold in your fridge 

The Daily GLP-1 Pill: For Those Who Really Don’t Want Shots 

How It Works 

Rybelsus is the same medication (semaglutide) in pill form. The clever part? They figured out how to get it past your stomach acid so it works. You take it every morning on an empty stomach with just a sip of water. 

What We’re Seeing 

The pill works well, just not quite as dramatically as the shot: 

• Weight Loss:
  Usually around 5-7 pounds over a year, or about 5% of your body weight 

• Blood Sugar:
  A1C drops by about 1.0-1.4% 

• Safety:
  Just as safe as the injection 

• Real-World Data:
  Some recent studies show it’s working better than we initially expected 

The Perks of GLP-1 Pills vs. Shots

• No needles – this is huge for some people 
• Taking a daily pill feels normal to most patients 
• Doesn’t need refrigeration 
• Cost is similar to the injection 

The Challenges 

• You must take it every single day, first thing in the morning 
• The timing is picky – empty stomach, minimal water, wait 30 minutes before eating 
• Not quite as powerful as the shot 
• Some people get more burping (I know, weird, but it happens) 
• We don’t have proof yet that it protects your heart like the injection does 

Now, About Those GLP-1 Patches Everyone’s Talking About… 

Okay, let’s be real here. I wish I had better news, but those “GLP-1 patches” you’re seeing all over social media? They’re not what they claim to be. 

What’s Actually in The GLP-1 Patches

These patches usually contain things like: 

• Herbal extracts 
• Vitamins 
• Caffeine 
• Maybe some berberine or amino acids 

Here’s the kicker: They don’t contain any actual GLP-1 medication. Zero. None. 

Why GLP-1 Patches Can’t Work (Yet) 

The real GLP-1 medications are big, complex molecules that just can’t get through your skin effectively. Scientists are working on this: there’s some cool research with special microneedles and other fancy technology. Unfortunately, we’re years away from having a real patch. 

The Bottom Line on GLP-1 Patches 

Those patches are basically expensive vitamins with misleading marketing. They’re not FDA-regulated, there’s no good evidence they work for weight loss, and honestly, they’re just going to waste your money and delay you from getting real help. 

So, Shot or Pill? Let’s Figure This Out Together 

How Do We Decide What’s Right for You? 

When patients ask me this question, here’s what we talk about: 

1. How do you feel about shots? Many people surprise themselves – the needle is tiny and most get comfortable with it quickly. 

2. What’s your morning routine like? Can you reliably take a pill first thing every morning and wait to eat? 

3. What are your health priorities? If you have heart disease, the injection has proven benefits there. 

4. How’s your diabetes control? If your A1C is really high, the injection might give you a better chance of getting to target. 

The Insurance Reality Check 

Both medications usually require prior authorization (insurance company paperwork), and both are covered similarly. At Blue Sky MD, we offer compounded semaglutide at at a very affordable cost, typically half of branded medication or less.  

What I Usually Recommend 

Honestly? I tend to start our conversation with the weekly injection because it works a little better and protects your heart. But if you’re really needle-phobic or strongly prefer a daily pill, Rybelsus is absolutely a good choice. 

What I definitely don’t recommend is getting sidetracked by those patches or other “alternatives” that aren’t actually proven to work. You deserve real treatment that’s been properly studied and shown to be safe and effective. 

Questions to Think About Before Your Next Visit 

• How important is avoiding needles to you? 
• Would you prefer dealing with medication once a week or every day? 
• Do you have heart disease where proven cardiovascular protection matters? 
• What does your insurance cover? 
• What are your main goals – diabetes control, weight loss, or both? 

What’s Coming in the Future? 

The good news is that pharmaceutical companies are working on even better options. There are legitimate companies developing real transdermal patches using advanced technology – some might even start human trials in 2025. But these will take years to get through proper testing and FDA approval. 

There are also longer-acting versions being studied, and pills specifically designed for weight loss (not just diabetes). The future is exciting, but for now, we’ve got two good options which work. 

My Honest Take 

Look, I’ve been doing this for a while, and GLP-1 medications are some of the most impressive treatments I’ve seen for diabetes and weight management. Whether you choose the shot or the pill, you’re choosing something with real science behind it that can genuinely change your health. 

Don’t get caught up in the marketing hype for unproven alternatives. Stick with what works, be patient as your body adjusts, and work with your healthcare team to monitor your progress. 

The results – better blood sugar, meaningful weight loss, and potentially better heart health – are absolutely worth doing this right. 

Let’s Talk 

If you’re thinking about GLP-1 therapy, or if you’re currently taking one form and wondering about switching, let’s have a conversation. Every person is different, and what works best for you depends on your specific situation, preferences, and health goals. 

That’s what I’m here for – to help you sort through the options and find what’s going to work best for your life. 

Dr. David LaMond is the Medical Director at Blue Sky MD. He specializes in helping people navigate diabetes and weight management options that actually work. If you’d like to discuss GLP-1 therapies or have questions about your current treatment, give us a call. 

The Research Behind This Article: 

• Chowdhury et al. (2024). Real-world comparison of oral versus injectable semaglutide 

• Fadini et al. (2024). Oral or injectable semaglutide for type 2 diabetes in routine care 

• Meier JJ. (2021). Efficacy of semaglutide in subcutaneous and oral formulation 

• PIONEER and SUSTAIN clinical trial programs