glucagon like peptide FAQ

Antidiabetic GLP-1 agonists are used in the following conditions:

Some of the common side effects include:

Antidiabetic glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (also known as GLP-1 agonists) are a class of drugs used with a proper diet and exercise to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. T2DM is a long-term medical condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood. Controlling high blood sugar helps in preventing kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems and may also reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Obesity is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. A body mass index (BMI is calculated by considering a person’s weight and height to measure body size) of more than 25 is considered overweight and more than 30 is considered obese. GLP-1 agonists are synthetic (man-made) hormones that resemble and act like GLP-1 which is one of the gut hormones involved in controlling the blood sugar. GLP-1 agonists are not used to treat insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes (a condition in which the body does not produce insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) and diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine). GLP-1 agonists are available as injectable powder for suspension and a solution (liquid) in a prefilled dosing pen to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. GLP-1 agonists work in the following ways:

Generic and brand names of antidiabetic GLP-1 agonists include:

GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists) for obesity are a class of medications used for chronic weight management in adults and pediatric patients who are overweight or have obesity. These drugs mimic the action of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1, which is released from the intestines in response to food intake. While originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists have been found to be highly effective for weight loss. They work by targeting areas of the brain (the hypothalamus) that regulate appetite and food intake. By activating GLP-1 receptors, these medications:

While many GLP-1 drugs exist for diabetes, only specific brands and formulations are FDA-approved specifically for the treatment of obesity: Generic and Brand Names: Semaglutide (Wegovy): A once-weekly injection or once-daily oral tablet. (Note: Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide approved for diabetes). Liraglutide (Saxenda): A once-daily injection. (Note: Victoza is the brand name for liraglutide approved for diabetes). Tirzepatide (Zepbound): A once-weekly injection that targets both GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. (Note: Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide approved for diabetes). Orforglipron (Foundayo): A once-daily oral tablet. Warning: These medications should not be used in combination with other GLP-1 receptor agonist products or products intended for weight loss including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, or herbal products.

GLP-1 agonists for obesity are indicated for chronic weight management in:

The most common side effects associated with GLP-1 agonists are gastrointestinal in nature. These symptoms are often most prominent when starting the medication or increasing the dose. Common side effects include: