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

Medically reviewed by: Kristin Baier, MD

At Calibrate, our goal is to bring you a science-based program to improve your metabolic health as you pursue long-term, sustainable weight loss. This article provides insights into FDA-approved oral and injectable GLP-1 and combined GLP-1/GIP medications, their benefits, and typical dosages.

Calibrate members achieve avg. 18% weight loss sustained over 2 years: Learn more

What are GLP-1 agonists prescribed for?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists—sometimes called incretin mimetics—are a class of medications shown to be effective in managing type 2 diabetes as well as in treating individuals with obesity or overweight. 

As of 2021, 11.6% of the U.S. population had diabetes according to the National Diabetes Statistics Report by the CDC. That’s a total of 38.4 million individuals of all ages. Further, CDC population data from 2023 show that, in 23 states, 35% of adults have obesity—a striking increase over the past ten years. Nationwide, that’s at least one in five adults (20%) living with obesity.

GLP-1 medications are preferred for the treatment of obesity and overweight due to their overall effectiveness and proven benefits for cardiovascular and metabolic health.

They are also preferred over older diabetes medications due to their favorable effects on blood sugar regulation and their low risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), as well as their proven benefit for cardiovascular risk reduction. 

Most GLP-1s are administered as once-weekly subcutaneous injections, but there is one oral option available as well. GLP-1s are generally well-tolerated with manageable side effects. For example, mild nausea is common and tends to lessen with continued use. 

Like all prescription medications, GLP-1s come with some risks and contraindications, which your Calibrate clinician will discuss with you to ensure safety and effectiveness.

How do GLP-1 agonists work?

To understand the effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists, it’s helpful to look at how GLP-1 hormones function in the body:

GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the gut that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. When you eat, GLP-1 stimulates insulin release to control blood sugar and signals the brain to reduce hunger. It also slows gastric emptying, helping you feel full longer.

For people struggling with weight, GLP-1 levels or signaling may be lower, contributing to increased hunger. GLP-1 medications work by mimicking natural GLP-1 hormones, enhancing their effect on key organs:

• Brain: GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus (hunger center) reduce food intake and cravings.
• Muscles: GLP-1 increases nutrient uptake, enabling the body to burn fat and sugar more effectively.
• Stomach: GLP-1 slows digestion, prolonging satiety (feeling full) after eating.
• Liver: GLP-1 suppresses glucose production, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
• Pancreas: GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion and reduces glucagon (another hormone that raises blood sugar), improving glucose control.

What does the history of GLP-1 medications in the US look like?

Since the FDA approved the first GLP-1 medication—Byetta® (exenatide)—in 2005, clinicians have observed that GLP-1s not only support blood sugar control but also contribute to weight loss and other metabolic health improvements. In 2014, Saxenda® (liraglutide) became the first GLP-1 approved for weight loss in people without diabetes. Other GLP-1s indicated for weight loss now include Wegovy® (semaglutide) and Zepbound® (tirzepatide). 

In the past decade, there have been several additional scientific breakthroughs in the GLP-1 medication class. Notably, Eli Lilly’s 2023 release of tirzepatide marked the first FDA-approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means that the drug targets not one, but two unique incretin hormones produced by the human body—which has been shown to increase the efficacy of the drug compared to medications that target only GLP-1. 

Complete GLP-1 agonist list:

Note: Calibrate may not prescribe all the medications listed below. Refer to the below section for medications prescribed by Calibrate clinicians.

A. GLP-1 agonists indicated for weight loss

1. Zepbound® (tirzepatide)

Drug class: Dual GLP-1/GIP Agonists

What is Zepbound®? Zepbound is an FDA-approved, once-weekly injectable GLP-1 medication for chronic weight management, authorized in October 2023. Calibrate clinicians may prescribe Zepbound to support members in achieving and sustaining weight loss as part of the Calibrate Metabolic Reset. Zepbound is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it activates both incretin pathways to enhance blood sugar control and support effective, long-term weight loss.

Dose: The starting dose of Zepbound is 2.5 mg delivered subcutaneously once weekly and titrates up to a maximum of 15 mg weekly. This medication comes in a prefilled pen. For people without insurance coverage, Zepbound is also available in 2.5mg and 5mg single-use vials.

Manufacturer: Eli Lilly & Company

List price (USA): The list price of Zepbound prefilled pens is $1,059.87 per fill per Eli Lilly. The cost of Zepbound vials is $399 per fill for the 2.5mg dose and $549 per fill for the 5mg dose.

2. 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 chronic weight management in June 2021. It is one of the medications prescribed by Calibrate clinicians to work in conjunction with the Calibrate Metabolic Reset. Wegovy is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in adults with obesity or overweight and known heart disease.

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

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

List price (USA): Wegovy® has a list price of $1,349.02/package per Novo Nordisk.

3. Saxenda® (liraglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Saxenda®? Saxenda is an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication prescribed for chronic weight management. It is a once-daily subcutaneous injectable prescription medicine. 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 clinicians. 

Dose: The starting dose of Saxenda is 0.6 mg daily and titrates up to 3 mg daily. This medication comes in a prefilled pen.

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

List price (USA): According to Novo Nordisk, Saxenda has a list price of $1,349.02.

B. GLP-1 agonists indicated for type 2 diabetes

1. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)

Drug class: Dual GLP-1/GIP Agonists

What is Mounjaro®? Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication approved by the FDA for treatment of type 2 diabetes and is one of the GLP-1 medications prescribed by Calibrate clinicians. Mounjaro uniquely acts as both a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, engaging two incretin pathways that work together to enhance insulin sensitivity, control blood sugar, and increase satiety. 

Dose: The starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5 mg delivered subcutaneously once weekly and titrates up to a maximum of 15 mg weekly. This medication comes in a prefilled pen. 

Manufacturer: Eli Lilly & Company

List price (USA): According to Eli Lilly, the list price of Mounjaro is $1,069.08 per fill.

2. 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 clinicians. It has been FDA-approved for patients with type 2 diabetes since 2017.  Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease.

Dose: The starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once a week and titrates up to 2 mg once a week. This medication comes in a pre-filled pen, with three pen types: The starting pen delivers doses of 0.25 or 0.5 mg, the middle pen delivers 1 mg, and the highest dose pen delivers 2 mg. 

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

List price (USA): According to Novo Nordisk, the list price for Ozempic is as follows: Ozempic® 0.25 or 0.5 mg (1 x 1.5-mL pen): $968.52; Ozempic® 1 mg (1 x 3-mL pen): $968.52; Ozempic® 2 mg (1 x 3-mL pen): $968.52

3. Rybelsus® (semaglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Rybelsus®? Rybelsus is a once-daily prescription medicine and one of the GLP-1 medications prescribed by Calibrate clinicians. Unlike many other GLP-1 medications, Rybelsus is taken orally (in tablet form) each morning on an empty stomach. Rybelsus is currently FDA-approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes.

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

Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

List price (USA): According to Novo Nordisk, the list price for Rybelsus is as follows: 3 mg pack (30 x 3 mg per package): $968.52; 7 mg pack (30 x 7 mg per package): $968.52; 14 mg pack (30 x 14 mg per package): $968.52

4. 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 clinicians. Trulicity® is currently FDA-approved for use in people with type 2 diabetes. Trulicity is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Dose: The starting dose of Trulicity is 0.75 mg weekly; doses titrate up to a maximum of 4.5 mg weekly. This medication comes in a prefilled autoinjector. 

Manufacturer: Eli Lilly & Company

List price (USA): According to Eli Lilly, the list price of Trulicity is $977.42 per month

5. Victoza® (liraglutide)

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What is Victoza®? Victoza is a once-daily subcutaneous injectable medication approved for use in people with type 2 diabetes. Victoza is also approved for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events (such as heart attack, stroke, or death) in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease. 

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 daily and titrates up to a maximum daily dose of 1.8 mg daily. This medication comes in a pre-filled pen. 
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk

List price (USA): According to Novo Nordisk, the list price of Victoza is as follows: 2-Pen Package (0.6 & 1.2 mg doses): $543.51; 3-Pen Package (1.8 mg dose): $815.27

C. Discontinued GLP-1 agonists:

1. Adlyxin® (lixisenatide): Discontinued

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What was Adlyxin®? Adlyxin was a once-daily subcutaneous injectable prescription medicine that was approved for type 2 diabetes. Adlyxin was discontinued in US markets on Jan 1, 2023. The discontinuation was a business decision, and not due to safety or efficacy issues. 

Manufacturer: Sanofi

2. Bydureon BCise® (exenatide extended-release): Discontinued

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What was Bydureon BCise®? Bydureon was a once-weekly subcutaneous injectable extended-release suspension of exenatide that was approved for type 2 diabetes. Bydureon was discontinued in US markets as of March 2021. The discontinuation was a business decision, and not due to safety or efficacy issues. 

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

3. Byetta® (exenatide): Discontinued

Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists

What was Byetta®? Byetta was a twice-daily subcutaneous injectable medication approved for type 2 diabetes. Byetta was not available in the US in recent years and has been discontinued in the UK as of March 2024. 

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

What GLP-1 agonists are prescribed by Calibrate?

Calibrate prescribes select GLP-1 agonists according to their FDA-approved indications. These medications include:

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

These medications are part of Calibrate’s comprehensive Metabolic Reset, which combines GLP-1 treatment with lifestyle coaching, an evidence-based curriculum, and metabolic tracking for sustainable weight loss.

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Sources cited:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). National diabetes statistics report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 12). New CDC data show adult obesity prevalence remains high [Press release]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0912-adult-obesity.html

Collins, L., & Costello, R. A. (2024, February 29). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., & Eli Lilly and Company. (2005, April 29). Amylin and Lilly announce FDA approval of BYETTA™ (exenatide) injection. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amylin-and-lilly-announce-fda-approval-byettatm-exenatide

Jastreboff, A. M., Aronne, L. J., Ahmad, N. N., Wharton, S., Connery, L., Alves, B., Kiyosue, A., Zhang, S., Liu, B., Bunck, M. C., & Stefanski, A., for the SURMOUNT-1 Investigators. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205–216. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038