I started using GLP-1 pens in 2022. Back then, I had no idea there were so many options on the market. My doctor mentioned Ozempic and I left the office thinking it was a simple choice. It wasn't.

Over the following months, I tried three different pens. Not all of them work the same. Not all of them fit the same routine. And look, I'm the kind of person who takes a long time to accept help. But when you've been trying to lose weight for years and nothing works, you start opening your mind.

Before I go any further, I need to be clear about something: I'm not a doctor. Everything I share here is my personal experience, what I've heard from professionals, and what I've read from reliable sources. Every body reacts differently and any medication requires professional supervision.

If you're at this point right now, researching which pen to choose, I hope this text helps you see a little more clearly what each option offers.

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Ozempic (semaglutide)

This was the first one I used. The injection is weekly, which is already a relief because you don't need to remember every day. The dose dispenser is easy to use, the needle is thin and it hurts less than I expected. I had a massive fear of needles before this. Now, after almost three years, I can say the fear is gone. The needle is so thin that many times I didn't even feel it.

In the first few months, I lost about 4 kg. Nothing dramatic, but consistent. What I noticed is that the effect comes slowly. It's not the kind of thing you take and the next month you're thin. It's a gradual process that requires patience. A lot of patience.

The most common side effects I felt were mild nausea in the first weeks and a huge reduction in appetite. Like, I ate half of what I used to eat and felt satisfied. It was strange at first, almost uncomfortable. You're there with food on your plate and your body just doesn't ask for more. Some days that's great. Some days it's scary.

Ozempic is indicated for people with type 2 diabetes, but many doctors prescribe it off-label for weight loss. Check with your doctor if this is a safe option for your case. In my case, my BMI was high enough to justify the prescription even without diabetes.

Wegovy (higher dose semaglutide)

Wegovy is essentially the same molecule as Ozempic, but with higher doses available. When my doctor increased my dose, he suggested switching to Wegovy because it was more practical to get the medication at that time.

The difference I felt was mainly in the intensity of satiety. With higher doses, appetite control was stronger. That may sound good, and it is, but it also means side effects can be more pronounced. That's what happened to me.

I had more nausea on Wegovy than on Ozempic. It wasn't unbearable, but there were days when nausea limited what I could eat. Hydration helps, but it doesn't solve everything. I discovered that eating smaller, more frequent meals reduced the discomfort quite a bit.

Wegovy's availability in some countries is still limited. I had difficulties buying at regular pharmacies and needed to look for authorized channels. Plan ahead, especially if you live in a smaller city. I ran out of medication for two weeks once because the stock ran out and it was awful. I don't recommend it.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro was the latest addition to my routine. It works on two incretin receptors instead of one, which in theory means potentially greater weight loss. The science behind it is interesting. Basically, it not only reduces appetite but also improves the way your body processes glucose.

In practice, I lost about 6 kg in the first two months with Mounjaro. It was the pen that surprised me most in terms of results. But it was also the one with the most side effects. A risk-benefit ratio you need to discuss with your doctor.

Nausea was more constant. There were days when I needed to eat very light things to avoid feeling sick. Soup, fruits, things like that. I also noticed my sleep became lighter in the first weeks, as if my body was adjusting. After a month, that improved.

The way to use it is similar to Ozempic: weekly injection, pre-filled pen. The difference is in the dosage and how your body responds. The pen itself is practically identical visually.

What I learned

After almost three years using these medications, what I can tell you is: there is no perfect pen. There is the one that works best for your body, at the right dosage, with the right monitoring. What works for me may not work for you.

Researching on your own is important, but nothing replaces an honest conversation with your doctor. These medications have specific protocols, contraindications, and need monitoring. I know that sometimes the doctor doesn't explain everything, that the appointment is rushed, but try to ask questions. Write them down before you go. Come prepared.

Keeping a record of your progress makes all the difference. Writing down doses, weight, side effects and mood helps you understand what's working and gives you much more to discuss at your follow-up appointments. I use PeptPro for this. Tracking everything is tedious, but it makes life so much easier when it's time to evaluate whether the treatment is working.

It's also important to monitor how you're sleeping, your energy levels throughout the day, and how you're feeling emotionally. PeptPro lets you log sleep and test results, which gives you a much fuller picture of what's happening in your body during treatment.

If you are at the beginning of this journey, don't be scared by the side effect stories. They exist, but there are also ways to manage them. And for many people, the benefit outweighs the discomfort. In my case, it was totally worth it. But I recognize that each person has a different reality.

The most important thing is for you to have real information. Not marketing, not magic result promises. Information from someone who has been through it and knows what it's like. That was one of the reasons that motivated me to write this text. Because I would have wanted to read something like this before starting.

Another thing: weight is not the only indicator that matters. Energy, mood, sleep quality, how your clothes fit, all of that matters. I used to worry too much about the scale in the beginning. Now I understand that the number on the scale is just part of the story.

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