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GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of injectable and oral medications that mimic the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 to improve blood sugar, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite. This page covers the 10 FDA-approved branded GLP-1s + 2 compounded variants you'll hear about most. Educational reference only — defer to your prescriber for any medical decision.
Sources: FDA labels and NIH NIDDK. Last verified 2026-06-04.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone released by gut cells after meals. It stimulates insulin release, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and signals satiety in the brain. GLP-1 receptor agonists are synthetic peptides that activate the same receptor for hours or days at a time — the natural hormone lasts only minutes.
The class was first approved by the FDA in 2005 (Byetta / exenatide), with semaglutide-based products (Ozempic 2017, Wegovy 2021) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro 2022, Zepbound 2023) representing the most-prescribed members.
Per FDA-approved labeling. Each drug page links the exact label PDF.
Click any drug for the full clinical profile, side effects, and cost paths.
Wegovy
semaglutide · Injectable · Novo Nordisk
Chronic weight management + CV risk reduction
Ozempic
semaglutide · Injectable · Novo Nordisk
Type 2 diabetes + CV risk reduction
Rybelsus
semaglutide · Oral · Novo Nordisk
Type 2 diabetes
Zepbound
tirzepatide · Injectable · Eli Lilly
Chronic weight management + OSA
Mounjaro
tirzepatide · Injectable · Eli Lilly
Type 2 diabetes
Saxenda
liraglutide · Injectable · Novo Nordisk
Chronic weight management
Victoza
liraglutide · Injectable · Novo Nordisk
Type 2 diabetes + CV risk reduction
Trulicity
dulaglutide · Injectable · Eli Lilly
Type 2 diabetes + CV risk reduction
Byetta
exenatide · Injectable · AstraZeneca
Type 2 diabetes
Bydureon BCise
exenatide (ER) · Injectable · AstraZeneca
Type 2 diabetes
Compounded semaglutide
semaglutide (compounded) · Injectable · 503A / 503B pharmacies
NOT FDA-approved as a finished product
NOT FDA-approved as finished product
Compounded tirzepatide
tirzepatide (compounded) · Injectable · 503A / 503B pharmacies
NOT FDA-approved as a finished product
NOT FDA-approved as finished product
Several GLP-1 brands share the same active molecule — packaged differently to match a specific FDA-approved indication.
semaglutide
Brands: Wegovy (obesity) · Ozempic (T2D) · Rybelsus (T2D, oral)
Same active ingredient; different indication, dose, and delivery. Wegovy and Ozempic use identical injection pens at different titration schedules.
tirzepatide
Brands: Zepbound (obesity + OSA) · Mounjaro (T2D)
Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Same molecule, different FDA-approved indications and packaging.
liraglutide
Brands: Saxenda (obesity, 3 mg) · Victoza (T2D, 1.8 mg max)
Same molecule; daily injection vs once-weekly competitors.
exenatide
Brands: Byetta (twice-daily) · Bydureon BCise (once-weekly ER)
Original GLP-1 agonist. Same molecule, immediate-release vs extended-release.
dulaglutide
Brands: Trulicity (T2D)
Distinct molecule — Fc-fusion GLP-1 analog, once-weekly.
Frequencies pooled from FDA labels for Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. Individual response varies — your prescriber can review your risk factors.
| Side effect | Frequency | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 15–44% across class | FDA labels Wegovy/Ozempic/Zepbound/Mounjaro |
| Diarrhea | 8–30% | FDA labels |
| Vomiting | 5–24% | FDA labels |
| Constipation | 5–24% | FDA labels |
| Abdominal pain | 5–20% | FDA labels |
| Acute pancreatitis (rare, serious) | <1% — boxed warning class-wide | FDA boxed warnings |
| Gallbladder disease (rare) | 1–2% | FDA labels |
Boxed warning class-wide: risk of thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent studies (significance for humans not determined). Contraindicated with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN-2. Source: FDA labels.
Manufacturer list prices for a one-month supply, as published on manufacturer sites. Verify current rates before deciding.