Eli Lilly GLP-1 Products: Portfolio and FDA Indications

Last reviewed: May 12, 2026 Last updated: May 12, 2026

Written by: Jay Hastings , CEO of PlexusDx

Jay Hastings is the CEO of PlexusDx, a precision health company focused on genetic testing, blood biomarker insights, and personalized wellness recommendations. He has more than 20 years of experience across healthcare innovation, genomics, laboratory operations, healthcare investing, and strategic finance. His work has included scaling healthcare startups, leading CLIA lab integrations, and helping expand consumer access to precision health tools.

Medically reviewed by: Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA

Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA, is the PlexusDx Medical Science Liaison with a PharmD and MBA specializing in pharmacogenomics and clinical product development, with a proven ability to bridge the gap between genomic research and practical patient outcomes. Dr. Lee has more than 10 years of professional experience in clinical pharmacy, academia, and research.

This article is part of the PlexusDx Education Hub, your resource for evidence-based guidance on GLP-1 therapies and the genetic variables behind every metabolic decision. Eli Lilly is one of the two companies that dominate the GLP-1 receptor agonist landscape, and understanding its portfolio helps make sense of the broader competitive picture, along with the genetic variables that sit upstream of every compound regardless of manufacturer.

Eli Lilly's GLP-1 portfolio

Eli Lilly markets Mounjaro (tirzepatide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes in 2022), Zepbound (tirzepatide, FDA-approved for chronic weight management in 2023 and for obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity in December 2024), and Trulicity (dulaglutide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes in 2014 with a 2020 cardiovascular indication added). Its investigational pipeline includes orforglipron, an oral non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist in Phase 3, and retatrutide, a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist in Phase 3. Investigational compounds are not FDA-approved and are not sold by PlexusDx.

How Eli Lilly's products compare to Novo Nordisk

The two companies dominate the GLP-1 landscape with distinct molecular strategies. Novo Nordisk focuses on GLP-1-selective compounds such as semaglutide and liraglutide. Eli Lilly markets the only FDA-approved GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist, tirzepatide, and also offers a GLP-1-selective option in dulaglutide.

What the head-to-head trials show

Head-to-head trials inform the competitive picture, including SURPASS-2, which compared tirzepatide with semaglutide 1 mg in type 2 diabetes, and SUSTAIN 7, which compared semaglutide with dulaglutide. Direct weight-management head-to-head data is limited, so comparisons should be read with that gap in mind.

Cost positioning

Manufacturer list prices are broadly similar across branded products, typically $800 to $1,600 per month at U.S. list as of April 2026. Manufacturer savings card programs differ by product, and patient assistance programs exist at both companies for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients. Compounded alternatives through 503A pharmacies are priced separately.

Shared safety profile

All FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists across both manufacturers carry the class boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk observed in rodent studies, and are contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Common side effects are gastrointestinal. Rare serious events include pancreatitis, gallbladder events, and acute kidney injury in the context of dehydration.

The genetics upstream of every compound

PlexusDx offers semaglutide and tirzepatide through its Weight Management Protocols. Regardless of manufacturer, the underlying genetic architecture is the same across the class. The Precision Peptide Genetic Test analyzes 14 pathways, 49 peptides, 150+ genetic insights, including variants in FTO and MC4R, and TCF7L2 that shape baseline GLP-1 and energy-balance biology. It does not predict response to any manufacturer's products and is not a pharmacogenomic test; it provides the upstream context that applies across both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk GLP-1 compounds.

Why brand and indication matter for coverage

A recurring theme across the GLP-1 landscape is that the same molecule can carry different brand names tied to different FDA-approved indications, and Eli Lilly's portfolio illustrates this directly. Tirzepatide appears as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and as Zepbound for chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnea. That branding distinction is not cosmetic; it affects which indication a prescription is written for and, in turn, how insurance coverage and prior authorization apply.

Reading the competitive picture sensibly

Comparisons between manufacturers are easy to oversimplify. Effectiveness is trial-specific and population-specific, individual response varies widely, and direct weight-management head-to-head data is limited across most comparisons. Rather than fixating on which company makes the strongest product in the abstract, the more useful question is which option fits your personal factors, a judgment best made with a licensed provider who can weigh your history and goals.

The value of an informed starting point

With two major manufacturers, several branded products, and an active investigational pipeline, the GLP-1 landscape can feel crowded. The practical takeaway is that the choice among specific products is a clinical decision, while the biology underneath is shared. Approaching a provider conversation with a clear grasp of the portfolio, the indications, the shared safety considerations, and the genetic terrain gives you a stronger footing than comparing headline claims. That informed starting point is exactly what the PlexusDx educational approach is built to support, pairing product context with upstream genetic insight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What GLP-1 products does Eli Lilly make?

Eli Lilly markets Mounjaro (tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes), Zepbound (tirzepatide for chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnea), and Trulicity (dulaglutide for type 2 diabetes with a cardiovascular indication). Investigational products include orforglipron and retatrutide in Phase 3 trials, neither of which is FDA-approved.

How do costs compare between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk?

Manufacturer list prices are broadly similar, typically $800 to $1,600 per month at U.S. list as of April 2026. Savings programs, insurance coverage, and out-of-pocket cost vary more by product, plan, and indication than by manufacturer. Verify current terms at the time of fill.

How does the Precision Peptide Genetic Test relate to the GLP-1 pathway?

It does not predict response to any specific manufacturer's products. It analyzes pathway-level variants in FTO and MC4R, and TCF7L2 that shape baseline GLP-1 and energy-balance biology, offering upstream context that applies across both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk GLP-1 compounds in a broader provider conversation.

Medical and Editorial Standards

Medical review process: This article was reviewed for medical accuracy, scientific clarity, evidence alignment, and appropriate discussion of genetics, medications, supplements, biomarkers, and health-related claims.

Sources and evidence: PlexusDx educational content is developed using peer-reviewed research, clinical literature, reputable medical references, and, where applicable, public health or regulatory guidance. References are included at the end of the article when scientific, medical, or health-related claims are discussed.

Commercial transparency: PlexusDx offers genetic testing, blood biomarker testing, personalized supplement recommendations, and related precision wellness services. Product mentions are intended to help readers understand available options and should not be interpreted as medical advice.

Important disclaimer: PlexusDx educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about medications, supplements, genetic testing, lab testing, or health-related care.