GLP-1 Medications

Best GLP-1 for weight loss is a question the trial data can only partly answer.

Brand-name vs generic refers to two ways the same active ingredient can reach the market: under a manufacturer's trademarked name, or, once patents and exclusivity expire, as an FDA-approved generic.

CagriSema is an investigational once-weekly combination of the amylin analog cagrilintide and the GLP-1 medicine semaglutide, dosed together at 2.4 mg each.

Compounded semaglutide is a custom-mixed version of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide made by a licensed pharmacy rather than a drug manufacturer.

Compounded tirzepatide is a custom-mixed version of the GLP-1/GIP drug tirzepatide made by a compounding pharmacy rather than a drug manufacturer.

Compounding pharmacy is an umbrella term for a pharmacy or facility that combines, mixes, or alters ingredients into a drug tailored to a patient's needs.

Dual agonist refers to a medicine engineered to activate two separate hormone receptors, usually GIP and GLP-1, at once in a single molecule.

Dulaglutide is the active ingredient in Trulicity, a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist injection.

FDA drug shortage list is a public database of drugs FDA has determined are in shortage in the United States, updated daily with new and resolved shortages.

Foundayo is the FDA-approved brand name for orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet, approved April 1, 2026 to reduce excess body weight and keep it off.

GIP is a 42-amino-acid hormone released from intestinal K cells that stimulates insulin release after eating.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone your gut releases after you eat.

GLP-1 alternatives are FDA-approved weight-management medications that do not act on the GLP-1 receptor, plus non-drug approaches.

GLP-1 injections are once-weekly subcutaneous shots, such as Zepbound and Mounjaro, that deliver a GLP-1 or dual GIP/GLP-1 medication under the skin.

GLP-1 medications list refers to the FDA-approved GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 brands covered here: Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Zepbound, Mounjaro and Foundayo.

GLP-1 receptor agonist is a medication that activates the GLP-1 receptor.

GLP-2 is a gut hormone released from intestinal L cells that promotes intestinal growth, absorption and blood flow, distinct from GLP-1, the hormone targeted by weight-loss drugs.

Incretin refers to a class of gut hormones, GIP and GLP-1, that boost insulin release after eating more than glucose alone would trigger.

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist sold as two FDA-approved brand-name injections: Victoza, for type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda, for chronic weight management.

Mounjaro is a brand-name tirzepatide injection FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes.

Natural GLP-1 boosters are foods and supplements marketed to raise your own GLP-1 hormone.

Newest GLP-1 medications refers to the most recently approved and the still-pending drugs in the GLP-1 class.

Oral GLP-1 medications are pill or tablet forms of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, taken by mouth instead of injected.

Orforglipron is a GLP-1 receptor agonist taken as a once-daily oral tablet, rather than an injection, that binds to and activates the human GLP-1 receptor.

Ozempic is an FDA-approved weekly semaglutide injection indicated for adults with type 2 diabetes, used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control.

Pen injector is a prefilled device used to inject GLP-1 medications subcutaneously, either as a single-dose pen used once and discarded or a multi-dose pen reused for several doses.

Retatrutide is an investigational triple hormone receptor agonist that activates the GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors at once, tested for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Rybelsus is an FDA-approved oral semaglutide tablet indicated for adults with type 2 diabetes, taken once daily on an empty stomach.

Saxenda is the brand name for liraglutide 3 mg, a once-daily GLP-1 injection approved for chronic weight management.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist sold under three FDA-approved brand names, each with its own indication: Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus.

Semaglutide vs tirzepatide is a comparison between semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and tirzepatide, a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist medication sold under two FDA-approved brand names, Zepbound and Mounjaro.

Vial and syringe refers to a GLP-1 dosage form supplied as a glass vial rather than a prefilled pen, drawn up and injected with a separate syringe.

Wegovy is an FDA-approved semaglutide brand sold as both a weekly injection and a daily tablet under one label.

Wegovy generic name is semaglutide, the nonproprietary name of the active ingredient in Wegovy, which is sold as an injection and as a tablet under one FDA label.

Wegovy pill is the oral tablet form of Wegovy, taken once daily and sharing one FDA label with the Wegovy injection.

Zepbound is a brand-name tirzepatide injection FDA-approved for chronic weight management and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.