GLP-1 Meds: The Full Medication Roster Explained

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.

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Type "GLP-1 meds" into a search bar and you are usually after one thing: a plain roster of the medications in this category and a sense of what separates them. This guide answers that directly, walking through what the drugs do, which ones carry FDA approval, how they are taken, and the inherited biology that shapes the terrain any of them work on.

What the phrase "GLP-1 meds" actually points to

GLP-1 is short for glucagon-like peptide-1, an incretin hormone released by the L-cells lining the small intestine whenever food arrives. In its natural role it prompts post-meal insulin release, slows how quickly the stomach empties, and tells the brain you are full. "GLP-1 meds" are the drug class engineered to reproduce those same signals on purpose rather than leaving them to the body's brief, self-limiting hormone pulse.

What these medications do once inside the body

The natural hormone is a small peptide of roughly 30 to 31 amino acids, and it vanishes fast — a circulating half-life near two minutes, because the enzyme DPP-4 breaks it down almost immediately. The medications are built to sidestep that enzyme, so instead of minutes they persist for days or even weeks. They latch onto the identical GLP-1 receptor and reproduce the downstream chain: insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and appetite signaling. Tirzepatide-based products go a step further, also switching on the related GIP receptor, which is one of the defining molecular differences in the category as of April 2026.

The current lineup of FDA-approved GLP-1 medications

Read chronologically, the approved roster tells the class's history. Exenatide arrived first (Byetta in 2005, later Bydureon), followed by liraglutide (Victoza in 2010, then Saxenda in 2014), dulaglutide (Trulicity in 2014), semaglutide (Ozempic in 2017, Rybelsus in 2019, Wegovy in 2021), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro in 2022, Zepbound in 2023, with Zepbound extended to obstructive sleep apnea in 2024). Two compounds sit in late-stage development but are not approved: retatrutide, a triple agonist hitting GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors, and orforglipron, an oral non-peptide small molecule.

Injection, tablet, and the compounded question

Most approved options in this class are subcutaneous injections dosed weekly or, in a few cases, daily. Rybelsus stands alone as the only FDA-approved oral tablet as of April 2026. Beyond the branded products, licensed 503A compounding pharmacies prepare compounded GLP-1 formulations through regulated pathways; those are not FDA-approved branded medicines and differ legally and factually from the reference drugs.

Where inherited biology enters the conversation

Because every one of these medications acts on a receptor system that varies from person to person, your genetics describe the backdrop. GLP1R, the gene coding for the receptor itself, influences receptor density and signaling efficiency; FTO is tied to appetite regulation and fat-mass set-point; MC4R shapes hypothalamic satiety and total intake; and TCF7L2 affects insulin secretion and the incretin response. The PlexusDx Precision Peptide Genetic Test reads 14 pathways, 49 peptides, 150+ genetic insights across these traits. It is educational context, not a prediction of how you will respond to any drug and never a pharmacogenomic verdict. Pair that reading with the Weight Management Protocols and you turn a blind start into an informed talk with your provider.

More on PlexusDx: What Is GLP-1?, GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, and GLP-1 Drugs.

Choosing among GLP-1 meds is a clinical decision

Because these medications share a mechanism but differ in molecule, schedule, and labeled use, picking one is never a matter of finding a single best drug — it is a matter of matching an agent to a person and an approved indication. A prescriber weighs your medical history, the condition being treated, tolerability during dose escalation, and format preference before landing on a specific product. Understanding the roster in advance simply lets you arrive at that conversation already fluent in what separates one option from the next, so the discussion moves faster and the decision feels far less like guesswork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all GLP-1 meds the same medication?

No. They share a mechanism — activating the GLP-1 receptor — but differ by molecule, half-life, dosing schedule, and approved use. Semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide act on GLP-1 alone, while tirzepatide also engages the GIP receptor, making it a dual-incretin agent rather than a straight GLP-1 drug.

Which GLP-1 meds come as a pill instead of an injection?

As of April 2026, Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) is the only FDA-approved GLP-1 tablet; every other branded product in the class is a subcutaneous injection. Compounded oral formulations exist through licensed compounding pharmacies, but those are not FDA-approved branded medicines and should be discussed with a qualified provider.

Do GLP-1 meds require a prescription?

Yes. Every FDA-approved GLP-1 medication is prescription-only in the United States, and compounded versions are dispensed through licensed pharmacies under clinician supervision. There is no legitimate over-the-counter GLP-1 drug, so any product marketed that way is not the same medicine and warrants caution.

Can a genetic test tell me which GLP-1 med to choose?

No. The Precision Peptide Genetic Test does not select a drug or forecast your response to one. It maps pathway-level variants in genes such as GLP1R, FTO, and MC4R that describe your baseline appetite and metabolic biology, giving you and your provider richer context for the broader protocol decision.

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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.