SharpyGLP-1 for Teens: Which Drugs Are FDA Approved, and at What Age
Yes, some GLP-1 drugs are FDA approved for teens, but which one depends on the reason. For obesity, only Wegovy injection and Saxenda are approved, both from age 12. For type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza and Bydureon BCise are approved from age 10. Zepbound, Ozempic, Foundayo and the Wegovy pill are adult-only for now. Any of these is a decision for a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, and adults in the family can use Sharpy to keep their own protein and workouts on track alongside them.
Which GLP-1 drugs can teens take? In the US, a GLP-1 for teens is approved in two situations. For obesity, Wegovy injection and Saxenda are approved from age 12. For type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza and Bydureon BCise are approved from age 10. Zepbound, Ozempic, the Wegovy pill and Foundayo are not approved for anyone under 18.
This guide puts every current FDA label side by side, explains what the teen trials found, and lists the questions families ask most. It is not advice for any single child. Whether a teen should start a GLP-1 is a decision for a pediatrician or pediatric specialist who knows that teen.
GLP-1 approved for teens: the full list
Every row below comes from the current FDA prescribing information (read October 31, 2026).
| Drug (generic) | Approved under 18? | Youngest age | Approved for | Notes from the label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy injection (semaglutide) | Yes | 12 | Obesity | BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex |
| Saxenda (liraglutide) | Yes | 12 | Obesity | Teen must weigh more than 60 kg (about 132 lb) |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Yes | 10 | Type 2 diabetes | Top pediatric dose is 10 mg weekly (adults: 15 mg) |
| Trulicity (dulaglutide) | Yes | 10 | Type 2 diabetes | Teens had more injection-site reactions than adults |
| Victoza (liraglutide) | Yes | 10 | Type 2 diabetes | Higher low blood sugar risk in kids, with or without insulin |
| Bydureon BCise (exenatide) | Yes | 10 | Type 2 diabetes | Weekly injection |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | No | Adults only | Obesity, sleep apnea | Teen trials still running |
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | No | Adults only | Type 2 diabetes | "Not established in pediatric patients" |
| Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) | No | Adults only | Obesity | Teen use not established, injection only |
| Foundayo (orforglipron) | No | Adults only | Obesity | Teen use not established |
Two things trip families up. First, Mounjaro and Zepbound are the same drug, tirzepatide, but only Mounjaro has a pediatric approval, and only for diabetes. Second, Ozempic and Wegovy are the same drug, semaglutide, but only Wegovy injection is approved for teens. For a plain comparison of all the brands in adults, see our GLP-1 medication comparison.
Can teens take GLP-1 for weight loss?
Yes, with a prescription, if they are 12 or older and meet the label's definition of obesity. For teens, obesity means a BMI at or above the 95th percentile on a growth chart for their age and sex, not the adult cutoff of 30.
The American Academy of Pediatrics backed this in its 2023 obesity guideline. It says doctors should offer weight-loss medicine to teens 12 and older with obesity, as an add-on to lifestyle treatment, based on each drug's indications, risks and benefits. Medicine is meant to sit on top of nutrition, activity and family support, not replace them.
How well does Wegovy work in teens?
The Wegovy label describes a 68-week trial in 201 teens aged 12 and older (mean age 15, mean BMI 37). Everyone first went through a 12-week lifestyle program, then got Wegovy or placebo once a week.
| Result at week 68 | Wegovy | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Change in BMI | -16.1% | +0.6% |
| Change in body weight | -14.7% | +2.7% |
| Lost 5% or more of BMI | 77.1% | 19.7% |
| Lost 10% or more of BMI | 65.1% | 7.7% |
| Lost 15% or more of BMI | 57.8% | 4.0% |
| Stopped the study drug | 10% | 10% |
Source: Wegovy prescribing information, section 14.3.
Placebo teens gained weight over the 68 weeks, which is common during growth. So BMI, which accounts for height, is the main measure for teens.
Mounjaro for kids with type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes in young people tends to move faster than in adults, which is why these approvals matter. The Mounjaro label now covers kids 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, based on the SURPASS-PEDS trial: 99 kids and teens (mean age 15) who were already on metformin, basal insulin or both.
| Result at week 30 | Placebo | Mounjaro 5 mg | Mounjaro 10 mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1C change (from about 8%) | -0.2 | -1.9 | -2.2 |
| Reached A1C of 6.5% or lower | 28% | 68% | 81% |
| BMI change | -0.5% | -6.9% | -10.8% |
Source: Mounjaro prescribing information, section 14.5.
The label caps the pediatric dose at 10 mg a week. Our Mounjaro guide covers how tirzepatide works in adults. Note that GLP-1 drugs are not a treatment for type 1 diabetes in kids or adults; see GLP-1 and type 1 diabetes.
Is GLP-1 safe for teens? Side effects on the labels
Teens in these trials mostly had the same side effects as adults: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and belly pain, mostly early on and while the dose was going up. The labels flag a few teen-specific differences:
- Wegovy: teens had more gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, low blood pressure, rash and hives than adults.
- Mounjaro: kids had more vomiting, belly pain and low blood sugar than adults.
- Saxenda: one teen in its trial had pancreatitis, there was more low blood sugar than on placebo, and resting heart rate rose by 3 to 7 beats per minute.
- Victoza: low blood sugar risk was higher in kids, whether or not they used insulin or metformin.
- Trulicity: teens had more injection-site reactions than adults.
Severe belly pain that will not go away, ongoing vomiting, or signs of dehydration need a doctor right away. The labels also list the same thyroid tumor boxed warning that applies to adults.
One more point for families: a history of an eating disorder, or warning signs of one, changes the conversation. Our guide to GLP-1 medications and eating disorders explains what experts recommend.
Protecting growth and muscle in a teen on a GLP-1
Appetite drops on these drugs, and a growing body still needs enough protein, calcium, iron and total energy. Adult GLP-1 advice does not copy over cleanly to teens, so a pediatric dietitian should set the numbers. What families can do together:
| Habit | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Protein at every meal (eggs, yogurt, chicken, beans, fish) | Helps keep muscle while weight comes down |
| Strength or sports practice 2 to 3 times a week | Muscle and bone respond to load |
| Regular meals, even when not hungry | A smaller appetite can hide skipped meals |
| Water through the day | Nausea and vomiting raise dehydration risk |
| Growth and weight checks with the doctor | Tracks height, puberty and BMI percentile |
Parents who are on a GLP-1 themselves often find it easier when the whole house eats the same way. If that is you, Sharpy gives adults one protein target, one 20-minute workout and one Shape Score a day, so your own routine models the habits you want at home. Our protein target guide explains the adult math.
Can teens get a GLP-1 online or from a med spa?
The approved options above are prescription drugs that need a clinician who can check growth, puberty, other medicines and family history. Avoid compounded, "research grade" or patch products marketed to teens. Those are not FDA-approved, and dosing errors with compounded semaglutide have sent people to the hospital. A pediatrician, a pediatric endocrinologist or a pediatric weight clinic is the place to start.
What is coming next for teens
Lilly is running SURMOUNT-ADOLESCENTS trials of tirzepatide in teens with obesity (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06075667 and NCT06439277). Until results are filed and the FDA acts, Zepbound stays adult-only. We will update this guide when any new teen approval lands.
The bottom line
A GLP-1 for teens is FDA approved in two cases: obesity from age 12 (Wegovy injection, Saxenda) and type 2 diabetes from age 10 (Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza, Bydureon BCise). Everything else is adults only for now. The decision belongs to a teen, their family and a pediatric doctor together. For the adults in the house who are on a GLP-1, Sharpy keeps protein, a short workout and progress in one daily check-in.
Sources
- Wegovy injection and tablets prescribing information, June 2026 (DailyMed)
- Mounjaro prescribing information, July 2026 (openFDA)
- Saxenda prescribing information, February 2026 (openFDA)
- Trulicity, Victoza and Bydureon BCise prescribing information (openFDA)
- Zepbound, Ozempic and Foundayo prescribing information, 2026 (openFDA)
- Hampl SE et al. AAP Clinical Practice Guideline for Obesity in Children and Adolescents, Pediatrics 2023
- SURMOUNT-ADOLESCENTS on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06075667)
- FDA: dosing errors with compounded semaglutide (July 2024)
Questions people ask
Is there a GLP-1 approved for teens?
Yes. Wegovy injection (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) are FDA approved for weight management in teens 12 and older with obesity. Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza and Bydureon BCise are approved for type 2 diabetes from age 10. A pediatric doctor decides whether any of them fits a specific teen.
What is the youngest age for a GLP-1?
The youngest FDA-approved age is 10, and only for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza, Bydureon BCise). For obesity without diabetes, the youngest approved age is 12 (Wegovy injection and Saxenda). Saxenda also requires a body weight above 60 kg (about 132 pounds) in teens.
Is Mounjaro approved for kids?
Only for type 2 diabetes. The Mounjaro label now covers children and teens 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, with a top pediatric dose of 10 mg a week instead of 15 mg for adults. Mounjaro is not approved for weight loss in anyone, and Zepbound, the tirzepatide brand for weight loss, is not approved under 18.
Can a 16 year old take Zepbound or Ozempic?
Not on label. The Zepbound and Ozempic prescribing information both say safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients. Lilly is testing tirzepatide in teens with obesity in the SURMOUNT-ADOLESCENTS trials, but no teen approval exists yet.
Is GLP-1 safe for teens?
In the trials behind the approvals, side effects in teens were mostly similar to adults. The Wegovy label notes teens had more gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, low blood pressure, rash and hives than adults. The Mounjaro label notes more vomiting, belly pain and low blood sugar in kids than in adults. Long-term data in teens is still limited.
Can teens get GLP-1 online?
Be careful. Approved GLP-1s for teens are prescription drugs that need a doctor who can check growth, health history and other medicines. Avoid any site selling compounded or research-grade versions to minors. A pediatrician or pediatric obesity clinic is the safest starting point.
Do teens on GLP-1 need more protein?
Teens are still growing, so their protein, calcium and calorie needs differ from adults. The right numbers depend on age, size and activity. Ask the teen's doctor or a pediatric dietitian to set them, rather than copying an adult GLP-1 protein target.