GLP-1 Agonist List: An Overview of Common Brands & Uses

At Calibrate, our goal is to bring you a science-based program to boost your metabolism health, while you take on your long-term, sustainable weight loss journey. The following article focuses on FDA-approved oral and injectable GLP-1 agonists, their benefits and dosage.

WHAT ARE GLP-1 AGONISTS PRESCRIBED FOR?

An estimated 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or incretin mimetics, are a class of prescription medications that have been proven to be effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They are becoming preferred therapies over insulin secretagogues, such as sulfonylureas or meglitinides, as have a low hypoglycemia risk and more favorable metabolic effects.

GLP1 medications were initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. But experts soon learned that in addition to lowering blood glucose levels to help treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists also resulted in weight loss and other metabolic health benefits.

In 2014, liraglutide (Saxenda) became the first GLP-1 agonist to be FDA-approved for weight management in obese patients without diabetes.

GLP-1 medications are safe, effective, and have relatively few side effects. Any common side effects that patients may experience while taking GLP-1s, such as nausea, are generally quite manageable.

However, as with all prescription medications, there are warnings and contraindications to consider prior to starting treatment with GLP-1 agonists, whether it’s part of your diabetes care plan or part of a medical weight loss program.

Your Calibrate doctor will discuss these with you and can answer any questions you might have about treatment options, drug formulation, and the risks of specific GLP-1 as it pertains to your own health and medical history.

HOW DO GLP-1 AGONISTS WORK? 

To fully comprehend why GLP-1 receptor agonists are effective, It might be helpful to  understand how and why the body produces its own GLP-1 hormone.

GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that is produced in the gut. Activated by food intake, the GLP-1 hormone stimulates insulin secretion to normalize blood sugars as well as .  communicate feelings of satiety (feeling full) through action on the hypothalamus and hindbrain. They also cause delayed gastric emptying which can increase and extend feelings of fullness after eating.

Research suggests that people who hold onto more weight or chronically diet experience reductions in GLP-1 signaling which can cause persistent feelings of hunger.

Here’s a closer look at the many ways in which GLP-1 hormone interacts with your other organ systems:

• In the brain, GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus—the part of the brain responsible for appetite and thirst—tell you to stop eating and makes food less appealing
• In the muscles, GLP-1 increases fatty acid and glucose uptake so it can then be broken down (via beta oxidation or glycolysis) as a fuel source
• In the stomach, GLP-1 slows down the rate at which food is digested and is cleared from the stomach; this helps to prolong the sensation of fullness after a meal andwith smaller portions
• In the liver, GLP-1 suppresses hepatic glucose production (gluconeogenesis), which helps to lower sugar levels in people with impaired blood sugar metabolism
• In the pancreas, GLP-1 triggers insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon secretion, resulting in improved blood sugar control and utilization of sugar for energy and storage in the body; this is particularly important in people who have impaired glucose tolerance, pre-diabetes, or diabetes
   

Image source: ​​https://www.joincalibrate.com/resources/medication-in-the-calibrate-program-introducing-wegovy 

WHAT GLP-1 AGONISTS ARE PRESCRIBED BY CALIBRATE?

Calibrate prescribes a select number of GLP-1 agonists that are either indicated specifically for weight loss or indicated for off-label use for weight loss. These medications include: 

• Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®)
• Liraglutide (Saxenda®)
• Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®)

COMPLETE GLP-1 AGONIST LIST, SORTED ALPHABETICALLY
BY BRAND NAME

Note: Calibrate does not prescribe all of the diabetes drugs listed below. Please see above for medications prescribed by Calibrate doctors. 

Adlyxin® (lixisenatide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Adlyxin®? Adlyxin® is a once-daily subcutaneous injectable prescription medicine that may improve blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes when used with diet and exercise. Adlyxin® is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It comes in a disposable pre-filled pen. 

Dose: The starting dose of Adlyxin® is 10 mcg daily and titrates up to a maintenance dose of 20 mcg.

Manufacturer: Sanofi

Bydureon BCise® (exenatide extended-release)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists 

What is Bydureon BCise®? Bydureon BCise® is a long-acting, once-weekly subcutaneous injectable extended-release suspension of exenatide. It is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and should be used along with diet and exercise. It is not recommended as the first choice of medicine for diabetes treatment and is not for people with type 1 diabetes. 

Dose: 2 mg subcutaneous injection per week. This medication comes in a prefilled pen

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Byetta® (exenatide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Byetta®? Byetta® is a short-acting, twice-daily subcutaneous injectable medication indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It may be used with other oral diabetes medicines. 

Dose: The starting dose of Byetta® is 5 mcg twice daily and titrates up to 10 mcg twice daily. 

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Mounjaro®? Mounjaro™ is a once-weekly injectable medication that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Currently, it is indicated for use in patients with type 2 diabetes, but it shows promise as a weight-loss drug as well.

Dose: The starting dosage of Mounjaro® is 2.5 mg. After 4 weeks, doses may be increased in 2.5 mg increments, as tolerated, up to a maximum of 15 mg once weekly.

Manufacturer: Eli Lilly and Company

Ozempic® (semaglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Ozempic®? Ozempic® is a once-weekly subcutaneous injectable medication and one of the GLP-1 medications prescribed by Calibrate doctors. It has been FDA-approved since 2017. While Ozempic® is currently FDA-approved for use in patients with type-2 diabetes, there is proof that its active ingredient is safe and effective in treating overweight or obesity. Just as it does in adults with type-2 diabetes, Ozempic® can improve blood sugar levels in adults with insulin resistance or prediabetes, and is an effective tool for weight loss among both groups. 

Dose: The starting dose of Ozempic® is 0.25 mg once a week and titrates up to 2.0 mg once a week. This medication comes in a pre-filled pen.  

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

Rybelsus® (oral semaglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists 

What is Rybelsus®? Rybelsus® is a once-daily oral prescription medicine and one of the GLP-1 medications prescribed by Calibrate doctors. Unlike many other GLP-1 medications, Rybelsus is taken orally (in tablet form) each morning on an empty stomach. While Rybelsus® is currently FDA-approved for use in patients with type-2 diabetes, there is proof that its active ingredient is safe and effective in treating overweight or obesity. Just as it does in adults with type-2 diabetes, Rybelsus® can improve blood sugar levels in adults with insulin resistance or prediabetes, and is an effective tool for weight loss among both groups. 

Dose: The beginning dose of Rybelsus® is 3 mg once daily and titrates up to 14 mg once daily. 

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

Saxenda® (liraglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Saxenda®? Saxenda® is a safe, FDA-approved GLP-1 medication prescribed for weight loss. It is a once-daily subcutaneous injectable prescription medicine indicated for adults with excess weight who also have weight-related medical problems or obesity, and children aged 12-17 years with a bodyweight above 132 pounds (60 kg) and obesity to help them lose weight and keep the weight off. Saxenda® should be used in conjunction with intensive lifestyle interventions including healthy food choices and exercise. Saxenda® is one of the GLP-1 medications prescribed by Calibrate doctors.  

Dose: The beginning dose of Saxenda® is 0.6 mg and titrates up to 3.0 mg. This medication comes in a prefilled pen. 

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

Trulicity® (dulaglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Trulicity®? Trulicity® is a once-weekly subcutaneous injectable medicine and one of the GLP-1 medications prescribed by Calibrate doctors. While Trulicity® is currently FDA-approved for use in patients with type-2 diabetes for glycemic control, there is proof that its active ingredient is safe and effective in treating overweight or obesity. Just as it does in adults with type-2 diabetes, Trulicity® can improve blood sugar levels in adults with insulin resistance or prediabetes, and is an effective tool for weight loss among both groups. 

Dose: Patients start with 0.75 mg subcutaneous injections weekly; doses titrate up to a maximum of 4.5 mg weekly. This medication comes in a prefilled autoinjector. 

Manufacturer: Eli Lilly and Company

Victoza® (liraglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Victoza®? Victoza® is a once-daily subcutaneous injectable medication used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes. Victoza® may help lower A1C and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease. While Victoza® is currently FDA-approved for use in patients with type-2 diabetes, its active ingredient is safe and effective in treating overweight or obesity. Just as it does in adults with type-2 diabetes, Victoza® can improve blood sugar levels in adults with insulin resistance or prediabetes, and is an effective tool for weight loss among both groups. 

Dose: The Victoza pen can deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg. The starting dose is 0.6 mg and titrates up to a maximum daily dose of 1.8 mg. This medication comes in a pre-filled pen. 

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

Wegovy® (semaglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Wegovy®? Wegovy® is a once-weekly subcutaneous injectable GLP-1 that was approved by the FDA for weight loss in June 2021. It is one of the medications prescribed by Calibrate doctors to work in conjunction with the Calibrate One Year Metabolic Reset. It is one of only six medications currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity.

Dose: The beginning dose of Wegovy® is 0.25 mg subcutaneous once weekly and titrates up to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. This medication comes in a prefilled pen. 

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk