Not all GLP-1 medications are the same. They differ by active ingredient, how they're taken, and what they're approved to treat. Here's what's currently available:
By Active Ingredient
- Semaglutide — available as weekly injections (Ozempic, Wegovy) and daily tablets (Rybelsus, Wegovy oral). Semaglutide products are approved for either type 2 diabetes or weight management, depending on the brand and dose.
- Tirzepatide — a dual-action medication that targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Sold as Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management), both administered as weekly injections.
- Liraglutide — one of the original GLP-1 medications, taken as a daily injection. Sold as Victoza (diabetes) and Saxenda (weight management).
- Dulaglutide — a weekly injection sold as Trulicity, approved for type 2 diabetes.
- Exenatide — sold as Byetta (twice-daily injection) or Bydureon (weekly injection), both approved for type 2 diabetes.
Single vs. Dual Agonists
Most GLP-1 drugs act on a single hormone receptor. Tirzepatide is different — it activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. The added GIP activity is thought to support fat metabolism and appetite control beyond what GLP-1 alone achieves, which is part of why tirzepatide-based medications have shown some of the strongest results in clinical weight loss trials to date.
Injectable vs. Oral
Most GLP-1 medications are injected, usually once a week, using a pre-filled pen or vial. A smaller number come as daily oral tablets — currently limited to certain semaglutide products, with additional oral options in development.
A Note on Compounded Versions
Compounded GLP-1 products are sometimes offered as lower-cost alternatives. Because these aren't FDA-approved, they haven't undergone the same safety, quality, and effectiveness review as brand-name medications, and their strength and purity can vary between suppliers.
Safety Consideration
Most GLP-1 medications carry a boxed warning regarding a possible risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on findings in animal studies. They're generally not recommended for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.