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Microdosing GLP-1 for weight loss

1 min Read

Reviewed by:

Dr Odhett Cojocaru, MD

Internist


GLP-1 medications have helped many people lose weight, but high costs, side effects, and eligibility rules can limit access. Microdosing introduces a low-dose approach that’s easy to tolerate, affordable, and available to people who qualify based on BMI and health criteria.

Noom’s Microdose GLP-1Rx Program combines clinical guidance, behavioral coaching, personalized dosing, and home delivery starting at $991.

What is microdosing GLP-1?

Medications such as Wegovy® (semaglutide) and Zepbound® (tirzepatide) have changed the way people approach weight loss. They mimic hormones to help lower appetite, slow digestion, and regulate blood sugar.

However, cost, eligibility, and side effects remain significant barriers for many people. Among those who start using GLP-1s, more than half report stopping2 due to expense, and in a study of users with type 2 diabetes or obesity, around 36%3 say they stop because of side effects.

Microdosing applies the GLP-1 science at a low level, designed to help people experience the benefits of GLP-1s while minimizing side effects and low costs.

How microdosing works

Microdosing starts with a smaller dose than our standard Noom GLP-1rx Program treatment and increases gradually based on your progress and tolerance.

This intentionally low approach allows your clinician to personalize treatment based on your body’s response and comfort level. It is designed to find a low dose that supports meaningful weight loss while reducing observed common side effects and managing costs.

“The most effective approach is one that’s personalized, not just based on a number, but on how your body responds, how you feel, and what supports long-term success,” says Dr. Jeffrey Egler, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Noom.

See if you’re eligible.

Dosage and schedule

Every GLP-1 journey is unique, which is why Noom’s Microdose GLP-1Rx Program follows a personalized dosing plan.

Your Care Team begins with a low initial dose, then reviews your progress every two weeks. Based on your results and how your body responds (as reflected by self-reporting in program surveys), your clinician may adjust your dose slightly to keep treatment comfortable and effective.

This SmartDose protocol allows for smaller, more flexible adjustments than Noom’s standard GLP-1Rx Program. It’s designed to ease in, minimize side effects, and find a low dose that supports steady weight loss and long-term success.

The benefits of GLP-1 microdosing

Research suggests that many people may not need high doses of GLP-1 medications to see meaningful results4. In this study, people taking 1 mg of semaglutide lost an average of 16% of their body weight over 64 weeks, nearly matching the results of those using the maximum 2.4 mg dose.

Microdosing is designed to make GLP-1 treatment easy to manage, comfortable, and affordable while still delivering results that matter.

  • Side effects – Since side effects tend to be dose-dependent5, low doses are often easier on the digestive system and may reduce issues like nausea, constipation, or fatigue.
  • Improved adherence – Side effects have been called out as a main reason that people stop taking a GLP-16. Milder side effects at low doses may make it easier for people to stick with the medication.
  • Low costs – Cost can be a big issue for people, especially since weight loss medications are often not covered by insurance. According to a report7, around 54% of people who’ve used GLP-1s said the medication was hard to afford, even with insurance.
  • Lifestyle pairing: Microdosing works best when combined with healthy habits around food, movement, and mindset. Noom’s behavioral tools and personalized coaching make it easier to turn these habits into lasting change.

See if you’re eligible.

How Noom’s Microdose GLP-1Rx Program works

Noom’s program brings together clinical care, flexible dosing, and habit-building support to help you lose weight at your own pace. Here’s how it works:

  1. Complete a quick online assessment to see if you qualify.
  2. Meet with a licensed clinician to create a personalized plan and discuss your dosing options.
  3. Receive your medication at home with step-by-step guidance and support.
  4. Check in regularly with your care team for progress updates and dose adjustments.

Your clinician reviews your results every two weeks and adjusts your dose to keep treatment safe, effective, and comfortable.

Is microdosing right for you?

Microdosing may be a great fit if you are looking for a personalized and manageable approach to GLP-1 treatment. It supports gradual progress, may reduce side effects, and helps keep treatment affordable based on the needs of the user.

If prescribed, the Noom Microdose GLP-1Rx Program starts at $99 and includes:

  • 24/7 access to message clinicians and a Care Coordination team
  • Noom premium 1:1 health coaching
  • Prescription home delivery
  • Noom’s behavior-change tools to help you stay on track

Who qualifies for Noom’s Microdose GLP-1Rx Program?

You may clinically qualify for Noom’s Microdose GLP-1Rx Program if your BMI is 25 or higher and your clinician recommends a personalized, low-dose approach to weight management. 

Side effects and safety

Some common mild side effects, like nausea or constipation, can occur when starting a GLP-1 medication. Microdosing is designed to help minimize these adverse side effects by using small doses and slow increases.

This helps create a friendly, confident experience that supports steady progress.

See if you’re eligible.

The bottom line: More control, low side effects

Microdosing gives you and your clinician control over your GLP-1 treatment, helping you achieve meaningful results while being designed to reduce discomfort from common observable side effects at an affordable price.

With Noom’s Microdose GLP-1Rx Program, you receive clinical oversight, lifestyle coaching, and medication in one simple plan. It is a smart way to approach weight loss that fits your life and supports lasting success.

Get started today

  1. Initial 3-week subscription and 4 weeks of medication from $99 plus tax, and $199 per month plus tax for a 12-week subscription thereafter. ↩︎
  2. KFF Health Tracking Poll May 2024: The Public’s Use and Views of GLP-1 Drugs, 2024. ↩︎
  3. Other inclusion requirements were continuous enrollment in a commercial, Medicare, or Medicaid plan (or dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility) for at least 12 months before baseline and at least 17 months after the index date. Patients without type 2 diabetes or obesity at baseline were excluded. Based on: Whang S, Zhang Q, Wei W, et al. GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Discontinuation Among Patients With Obesity and/or Type 2 Diabetes. PubMed-indexed; 2024. ↩︎
  4. Komé AM, Chandran MM, Tungate Lopez SS, Buse JB, Klein KR. One Size Does Not Fit All: Understanding 
    Microdosing Semaglutide for Diabetes in Multidose Pens. Diabetes Care. 2025
    ↩︎
  5. Wharton S, Davies M, Dicker D, Lingvay I, Mosenzon O, Rubino DM, Pedersen SD. Managing the gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in obesity: recommendations for clinical practice. Postgraduate Medicine. ↩︎
  6. Antoniou-Stephens C, Sharma AM, Weishaupt D, et al. Gastrointestinal side-effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in clinical use: a retrospective observational study. Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders – Drug Targets. ↩︎
  7. KFF Health Tracking Poll May 2024: The Public’s Use and Views of GLP-1 Drugs, 2024. ↩︎

Why you can trust us

At Noom, we’re committed to providing health information that’s grounded in reliable science and expert review. Our content is created with the support of qualified professionals and based on well-established research from trusted medical and scientific organizations. Learn more about the experts behind our content on our Health Expert Team page.

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