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GLP-1 Eligibility Calculator

GLP-1 receptor agonists are prescribed for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. FDA labeling uses BMI and weight-related conditions to define eligibility for each drug. This screening tool compares your current BMI and reported conditions to those label thresholds and flags common contraindications so you can have a better-informed conversation with a clinician. It is educational only and does not replace medical advice.

Reviewed by GetHealthyCalculators Editorial Team · Updated April 14, 2026

Quick Answer

FDA label eligibility for weight-management GLP-1s (Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda) generally requires BMI ≥ 30, or BMI ≥ 27 with a weight-related condition. Diabetes-class GLP-1s (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza) are prescribed for type 2 diabetes regardless of BMI. A clinician confirms eligibility.

These results are estimates based on general formulas and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before making health decisions.

Do you have any weight-related conditions?

These can lower the BMI eligibility threshold from 30 to 27.

Do any of these apply to you?

These flags override eligibility in FDA labeling.

Enter your weight, height, and conditions to check label-based eligibility.

How the Formula Works

  1. Calculate BMI from height and weight (kg / m^2).

    BMI = weight(kg) / height(m)^2

  2. If BMI is 30 or higher, the obesity-indication threshold is met for Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda.

    BMI >= 30 => obesity indication

  3. If BMI is 27–29.9 with a weight-related condition (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidemia, OSA, CVD), overweight-plus-comorbidity criteria are met.

    BMI >= 27 + comorbidity => overweight indication

  4. Type 2 diabetes is its own pathway that qualifies for diabetes-class GLP-1s regardless of BMI.

    T2D => Ozempic / Mounjaro / Trulicity / Victoza

  5. Flag contraindications: personal or family MTC / MEN2 history, pancreatitis history, pregnancy or breastfeeding.

    Boxed warning contraindications override eligibility

Methodology & Sources

Reviewed and updated April 14, 2026 · Prepared by GetHealthyCalculators Editorial Team

Thresholds follow current US prescribing information for Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg), Zepbound (tirzepatide), Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg), and the diabetes-indication labels for Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, and Victoza. Contraindications are taken from boxed warnings in those package inserts. The tool is a screening aid only and does not attempt to infer coverage, dosing, or titration.

References

  • Wegovy (semaglutide) US Prescribing Information · Novo Nordisk
  • Zepbound (tirzepatide) US Prescribing Information · Eli Lilly
  • Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) US Prescribing Information · Novo Nordisk
  • AACE/ACE 2023 Consensus Statement: Obesity Pharmacotherapy · Endocrine Practice

Limitations

  • This is a screening estimate and cannot confirm eligibility, appropriateness, or insurance coverage for any specific GLP-1 medication.
  • BMI is a rough population-level metric and does not capture body composition, ethnicity-specific risk thresholds, or disease severity.
  • Only a prescriber can review your full history, labs, medication list, and contraindications. This tool does not.
  • Compounded GLP-1s are not FDA-approved medications and their eligibility criteria and safety data differ from branded versions. This tool addresses FDA-approved labeling only.
  • Pediatric eligibility (Saxenda and Wegovy are approved for adolescents ≥ 12 with obesity) requires clinician evaluation and is not modeled here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a BMI of 30 required to get a GLP-1?
For chronic weight-management indications (Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda) FDA labeling lists BMI ≥ 30 or BMI ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. For diabetes-class GLP-1s (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza) a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is the primary criterion, and BMI is not required.
Which conditions count as weight-related comorbidities?
Commonly recognized conditions include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease. Some clinicians also consider non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, prediabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and osteoarthritis to support a BMI ≥ 27 pathway.
What contraindications apply to GLP-1 medications?
FDA boxed warnings apply to personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). A history of pancreatitis, active gallbladder disease, severe gastroparesis, and pregnancy or breastfeeding also warrant caution and specialist input.
Will my insurance actually cover the medication?
Meeting FDA label criteria does not guarantee coverage. Many US insurance plans require BMI ≥ 35 or BMI ≥ 30 with comorbidities, documentation of structured lifestyle intervention, and prior authorization. Medicare historically excluded weight-loss drugs; expansion of coverage has begun to roll out for some indications. Your prescriber or pharmacy can help check coverage.
Is compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide eligible?
Compounded GLP-1 products are not FDA-approved medications and are made by compounding pharmacies during drug shortages. They are not covered by the FDA labeling referenced here. The FDA has expressed concerns about dosing errors, contamination, and unapproved salt forms. Evaluating a compounded option should involve a licensed clinician and a reputable pharmacy.
Can teenagers use GLP-1 medications?
Saxenda is FDA-approved for adolescents aged 12 and older with obesity. Wegovy is approved for ages 12 and older who meet BMI-for-age criteria. Dosing, safety monitoring, and family involvement differ from adult protocols, and decisions should be made with a pediatric obesity specialist.

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