GLP-1 receptor agonist

What it means

An agonist is a drug that activates a receptor. GLP-1 receptor agonists copy the effects of natural GLP-1: more insulin when blood sugar is high, less glucagon, slower stomach emptying and less hunger.

The class includes:

• Semaglutide: Ozempic and Wegovy shots, Rybelsus and the Wegovy pill
• Liraglutide: Victoza and Saxenda, given once a day
• Dulaglutide: Trulicity, once a week
• Tirzepatide: Mounjaro and Zepbound, which also act on the GIP receptor

Some are approved for type 2 diabetes, some for chronic weight management, and a few for other conditions. The FDA label for each product lists exactly what it is approved for.

Shared class warnings include thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents, pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney injury from dehydration and low blood sugar when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.

Why it matters

Every drug page on Sunny Weigh belongs to this class, so the shared warnings and side effects apply across them.