weight loss · Sep 04, 2025

Can’t Get a GLP-1 Prescription? Here Are the Best Alternative Options

bottle of motus supplement for weight loss glp-1 alternative

Written by Abby McCoy, RN, BSN

GLP-1s have emerged as a kind of “miracle drug,” helping people shed pounds and improve chronic conditions like diabetes, and the demand for these medications has soared. Growing from about 21,000 prescriptions in 2019 to over 175,000 in 2023, more and more people are clamoring to try GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro [1].

But commercial and employer-based health insurance companies only approve 25 to 60 percent of requests for GPL-1s without jumping through several hoops first, and they are getting more and more strict on their GLP-1 coverage overall [2,3]. Here, we’ll discuss why this is the case — and what your options are if your provider denies coverage.

Why Coverage for GLP-1s Is Often Denied

GLP-1s were originally approved by the FDA in 2017 to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. However, they’ve become widely known to the general public in recent years, largely because some physicians prescribe it to obese or overweight individuals to help them lose weight. While clinical research suggests that Ozempic can help with weight loss, the FDA has not officially approved the use of GLP-1s for this specific purpose, so these prescriptions are off-label.

Insurance companies used to pay for GLP-1s for individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher, but now some providers have changed this benchmark to 35 and up. Other insurers only cover GLP-1s after trying another type of weight loss medication, treating naturally accompanying conditions like uncontrolled hypertension, or attempting a weight loss program first [3].

The reasons for this shift in criteria largely hinge around (1) the cost of GLP-1s, which are expensive, and (2) production challenges that have led to medication shortages in the past three years. Currently, most insurance companies want prior authorization before you can get a prescription for semaglutide. That means your doctor has to submit a lot of paperwork to your insurance company explaining why you need it, and wait for their approval [3].

Sometimes, after all that work, a request for GLP-1s still gets denied. The most common reasons for denial include [3]:

Lack of documented medical need, like a high BMI or other conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
Missing documentation or prior authorizations
Off-label use for weight loss

Without insurance covering at least part of the financial burden, GLP-1s can cost $700 to $800 a month in the U.S. [4]. This leaves many people looking for other options, including natural GLP-1 alternatives.

Prescription Alternatives That May Be Covered

Although your insurance may deny GLP-1s, they might cover other medications that can help with weight loss.

1. Metformin

Metformin stops your body from absorbing too much sugar from your food, much like a bouncer at the door of a nightclub. It also slows down your liver’s glucose production. Most often prescribed for type 2 diabetes, metformin can also be used off-label for weight management [5].

You can take metformin as a solution or tablet, one to three times per day with meals. This option has a few serious side effects (such as gastrointestinal problems, a vitamin B12 deficiency, and low blood sugar). And even though it doesn’t cause as dramatic a weight loss as GLP-1s, it still works well for some and has a substantial body of clinical research supporting its efficacy [6]. Note that metformin cannot be taken with many prescription medications and natural supplements, including Motus, as it may interact negatively with them or reduce their efficacy. Be cautious and always check with your healthcare provider before beginning any weight loss regimen.

2. Qsymia

Qsymia, a pill you take once daily, contains phentermine and topiramate, which can decrease your appetite and help you feel full longer. These compounds work in tandem, but in different ways. Phentermine influences the central nervous system by mimicking your body’s “fight-or-flight” response, which prompts the release of chemicals like adrenaline that naturally suppress appetite, while topiramate modulates specific neurotransmitters to increase satiety signals [7, 8].

Though the medication is effective — seven out of 10 Qysmia users lost at least five percent of their body weight and half lost at least 10 percent — it can cause side effects like dry mouth, irregular heartbeat, and mood changes. It can also be habit-forming, so it requires close monitoring by your doctor [8].

3. Phentermine

Phentermine — one of the compounds in Qysmia — comes as a daily capsule and can be taken on its own for appetite suppression. However, it should only be used short term (about 12 weeks) to reduce the risk of serious side effects and the potential for dependence or misuse [10]. Common side effects include a faster heart rate, trouble sleeping, and constipation, and it’s not a good option if you have heart disease, thyroid problems, or are pregnant [11].

4. Bupropion/Naltrexone (Contrave)

Contrave, a mixture of bupropion and naltrexone, lowers appetite and controls cravings by acting directly on two key regions of the brain — the hypothalamus and the mesolimbic reward system. Side effects include nausea (the most common reason for stopping), anxiety, dry mouth, and insomnia. The FDA has also issued a boxed warning for suicidal thoughts — bupropion, an antidepressant also known as Wellbutrin, may also increase the risk of such thoughts. This is also why you shouldn’t take Contrave if you are already taking Wellbutrin/buproprion [12].

5. Orlistat

Orlistat reduces fat absorption, which prevents it from showing up in your love handles, and you typically take it during meals. When taking this medication, you will need to follow strict dietary guidelines (keeping fat content below 30 percent) to avoid side effects like bowel urgency, loose stools, and stomach pain [13].

Your provider will take your individual health profile into consideration before prescribing Orlistat, and you will need regular medical supervision while taking it.

Lifestyle Strategies to Replicate GLP-1 Benefits

In any search for Ozempic alternatives, you may find that some lifestyle strategies can offer the same benefits as GLP-1s, or complement prescription alternatives. Healthy lifestyle interventions are also the best way to maintain your weight loss results after you’ve stopped taking prescription drugs.

1. Appetite control

Choosing foods that help manage your appetite can help in your weight loss journey. You can control your appetite naturally by avoiding processed foods and following a high-protein, high-fiber diet, which helps you feel full longer [14]. Drinking water before meals can take up space in your stomach, which helps you fill up quicker as you eat. Chewing thoroughly can also give your brain a chance to recognize the feeling of fullness [15].

2. Blood sugar stability

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is another critical part of helping you lose weight. Unbalanced blood sugar causes insulin resistance — a condition that makes the cells in your body less sensitive to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. When your cells become less sensitive to insulin, that prompts your pancreas (an organ beneath your stomach) to stop producing enough of this hormone, leading to chronically high blood sugar levels that can lead to stubborn weight gain, cravings, and fatigue [16].

You can encourage blood sugar stability by eating balanced macronutrients (“macros”): carbohydrates, fats, and proteins [17]. Meals higher in protein and lower in carbs increase insulin sensitivity and prevent you from absorbing too much sugar, which can aid in weight loss [18].

Refined carbohydrates like white bread and sweetened beverages can make your blood sugar spike, but complex carbs like whole grain bread and oats can keep your sugar levels steady and also help you feel full quicker and longer [19]. You can also regulate your blood sugar by eating at regular times and waiting two to three hours between meals [20].

3. Resistance training

For natural weight loss, support your metabolism with consistent weight training, while eating enough protein and leaving sufficient recovery time between workouts. When you gain muscle mass, your baseline metabolism speeds up, so you burn more calories, even when you’re resting [21]. Maintaining muscle mass is also especially crucial if you’re on a weight loss program or taking any of the prescriptions above, including GLP-1s. This is because taking GLP-1s or losing significant amounts of weight in a short period can result in the loss of lean muscle mass, which can sabotage your weight loss efforts.

But remember — don’t push yourself beyond what you’re capable of. Recovery after exercise can also help with metabolic support, so be sure to get some rest between strength training sessions [22].

For a little added metabolic control, NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis), can burn calories throughout the day. NEAT activities include anything between sitting still and running a marathon, like fidgeting, walking, and household chores. Although these “micro-activites” won’t get you to your weight goal on their own, every little bit helps [23].

4. Stress and sleep optimization

To support the balance of stress hormones like cortisol and hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin, it’s important to optimize your sleep and manage stress. How does good sleep and less stress help? Chronic stress can keep cortisol levels high, which signals to your body to store extra fat where you don’t want it (typically around the midsection) [24].

When you get good sleep on a regular basis, your circadian rhythm (internal clock) can effectively manage hunger hormone levels, which keeps your appetite in check. In fact, research shows that people who get less than seven hours of sleep per night on average have much higher rates of obesity. But getting enough good sleep can help you lose weight [25].

How Motus Can Help Bridge the Gap

As a natural supplement, Motus supports appetite regulation, weight loss, reduced cholesterol, and metabolic health with clinically studied ingredients. Research in mice suggests its key ingredients may help prompt fat loss, too.

Motus also improves muscle retention, with studies showing an 11 percent increase in lean muscle mass after taking it. This supplement may even optimize GLP-1s by increasing the amount of weight loss eight-fold in a third of the time. Motus also helped study participants maintain their weight loss after stopping GLP-1s.

Motus includes these key ingredients:

Berbevis® (Berberine): supports healthy blood sugar levels and increases fat burning
A-Lipoic Acid: enhances metabolism and helps manage blood sugar use and storage
Nicotinamide (B-3): improves metabolic efficiency, insulin signaling, and blood sugar levels
Siliphos® (Milk Thistle): optimizes fat breakdown for better elimination
Taurine: supports fat metabolism and better exercise performance

The combination of these ingredients can help you jump-start weight loss without prescriptions, lose more fat, and also lower cholesterol. If you’re looking for a GLP-1 alternative, try Motus today.

Creating a Sustainable Plan Without GLP-1s

By combining accessible prescription options, lifestyle changes, and weight loss supplements like Motus, you can shed pounds without emptying your bank account or fighting with your insurance company.

Track your weight loss progress by recording your energy levels and hunger cues, so you can see how far you’ve come. Motus can help you support healthy habits and prevent weight regain even after stopping your GLP-1s. By building a long-term mindset and not relying on short-term fixes, you can not only lose weight, but keep it off.

When to Revisit GLP-1 Eligibility

You might be able to try again for GLP-1 approval in a few scenarios. For example, if your health status changes, like an increased BMI or new diabetes diagnosis, you may be eligible for GLP-1s when you weren’t before.

If you switch insurance companies, check to see if you qualify for GLP-1s with them. These companies also frequently change their policies, so be sure to check their GLP-1 criteria frequently. No matter which weight loss option you pursue, talk to your doctor about your goals. They can help you navigate your options and suggest future opportunities.

Takeaways

GLP-1s can help you shed pounds fast, but insurance doesn’t always cover them, and they can cost up to $800 per month out of pocket.
Other prescription alternatives can help you lose weight, like metformin, Qsymia, phentermine, Contrave, and Orlistat.
Paired with weight loss supplements like Motus, lifestyle strategies like following a balanced diet, weight training, stress management, and great sleep can help you shed pounds and keep them off.

References:

Abby McCoy is an experienced RN who has worked with adults and pediatric patients encompassing trauma, orthopedics, home care, transplant, and case management. She has practiced nursing all over the world from San Francisco, CA to Tharaka, Kenya, and now writes health content for trusted health outlets like Everyday Health and Next Avenue. Abby is a married mother of four living in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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