GLP-1 Medications: The Class, Approvals, and Genetics

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 lives in the PlexusDx Education Hub, where we work through GLP-1 biology, weight-management protocols, and the genetic factors that sit beneath every metabolic decision. Browse the full Peptides & GLP-1 library.

The GLP-1 medication category has expanded quickly, and keeping the compounds and their approvals straight is not easy. This roster-style overview lays out what GLP-1 is as a hormone, how the receptor-agonist class works, which products are FDA-approved as of April 2026, and the inherited variables that sit beneath the pathway and shape how any plan unfolds.

Starting with the hormone

GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1, is an incretin hormone secreted by L-cells of the small intestine in response to food. It drives post-meal insulin release, slows gastric emptying, and contributes to satiety. Native GLP-1 is a 30- to 31-amino-acid peptide with a very short half-life, about two minutes, because dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) degrades it rapidly. The medication class is built to overcome that limitation.

How the class is engineered to work

GLP-1 receptor agonist medications resist DPP-4 degradation, extending the half-life from minutes to days or weeks. They bind the same receptor as the native hormone, producing the same downstream effects on insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, gastric emptying, and satiety. Tirzepatide-based compounds also engage the GIP receptor, a related incretin target and one of the key molecular distinctions in the class as of April 2026.

The approved roster as of April 2026

The FDA-approved class includes exenatide (Byetta, 2005; Bydureon), liraglutide (Victoza, 2010; Saxenda, 2014), dulaglutide (Trulicity, 2014), semaglutide (Ozempic, 2017; Rybelsus, 2019; Wegovy, 2021), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, 2022; Zepbound, 2023; Zepbound expanded to obstructive sleep apnea in 2024). Investigational compounds in late-stage development include retatrutide, a triple agonist targeting GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon that is not FDA-approved and not sold by PlexusDx, and orforglipron, an oral non-peptide agonist.

How they are administered

Most approved products are given as subcutaneous injections, weekly or daily by compound. Rybelsus is the only FDA-approved oral option as of April 2026. Compounded oral protocols are available through licensed compounding pharmacy pathways, but those are not FDA-approved branded products.

Why genetic context matters

The GLP-1 pathway carries natural genetic variation, so the same class can behave differently across people. GLP1R, the receptor gene, is the most direct upstream variable, shaping receptor density and signaling efficiency. FTO influences appetite and adiposity set-point, MC4R affects hypothalamic satiety and total intake, and TCF7L2 influences insulin secretion and incretin response. These pathway-level markers describe the terrain rather than predict any single compound's effect.

Where PlexusDx fits

The Precision Peptide Genetic Test analyzes 14 pathways, 49 peptides, 150+ genetic insights, offered as educational context, and it does not tell you which medication or dose to choose. PlexusDx offers GLP-1 receptor agonists through its Weight Management Protocols, with the idea of understanding your terrain first so the plan you build with a provider is informed rather than generic.

How to keep the roster straight

The category can feel crowded because several molecules appear under multiple brand names, each with its own approvals. A simple way to organize it is by mechanism and status: single GLP-1 receptor agonists, the GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist, and the investigational compounds still in development. Layering the brand names onto that framework, rather than memorizing them in isolation, makes the landscape far easier to navigate and to discuss.

Turning the overview into a decision

A roster tells you what exists; it does not tell you what fits. If you are considering any product in this class, bring your health history, current medications, and specific goals to a provider who can match an approved indication to your circumstances and explain the trade-offs. Ask how a given product would be administered, monitored, and adjusted over time. Pairing that clinical guidance with an understanding of your own metabolic terrain is what moves you from a general survey of the category to a plan built around your biology.

Keeping the class in perspective

New compounds and expanded approvals arrive regularly, so any roster is a snapshot rather than a final word. What stays constant is the underlying logic: these medications amplify a natural hormonal signal, share a family of effects and warnings, and are matched to individuals through clinical judgment. Keeping that framework in mind makes each new addition easier to place as the category continues to evolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a GLP-1 medication?

The category covers GLP-1 receptor agonists such as exenatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and semaglutide, plus the GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist tirzepatide. Investigational compounds like retatrutide and orforglipron are in development but not FDA-approved. Each approved product has its own labeled indications and dosing.

Which GLP-1 medications can be taken orally?

Rybelsus is the only FDA-approved oral GLP-1 option as of April 2026; most others are subcutaneous injections given weekly or daily. Compounded oral protocols exist through licensed compounding pharmacy pathways, though these are not FDA-approved branded products. A provider determines what is appropriate.

Does the genetic test choose a medication for me?

No. The Precision Peptide Genetic Test reports pathway-level variants in genes including FTO, and MC4R that shape baseline GLP-1 biology. It does not predict response to any product, does not select a medication, and it does not tell you which medication or dose to choose. It informs a conversation with your provider.

Related reading: The GLP-1 Hormone, What Is GLP-1?, GLP-1 Drugs.

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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.