The GLP-1 Hub
GLP-1 receptor agonists are the most-studied, most-prescribed, and most consequential class of peptides in modern medicine. This hub covers the approved drugs, the emerging incretin and glucagon co-agonists in trials, head-to-head comparisons, practical guides, and the research updates that are reshaping the field in 2026.
What is a GLP-1?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone released by intestinal L-cells in response to nutrient ingestion. It signals the pancreas to release insulin in proportion to glucose, slows gastric emptying, and engages central appetite circuits. GLP-1 receptor agonists are drugs that mimic this hormone — typically modified peptides with extended half-life, more recently joined by small-molecule oral agonists and antibody-conjugate hybrids.
The class has expanded considerably since semaglutide's 2017 approval. Today the discussion includes single GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide), dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists (tirzepatide), GLP-1/glucagon dual agonists (survodutide, mazdutide, pemvidutide), triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonists (retatrutide), oral non-peptide GLP-1s (orforglipron), and antibody-peptide conjugates with GIP-receptor antagonism (MariTide). Each represents a different bet on what biology drives the strongest outcomes.
Approved drugs
Semaglutide
Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
T2D · Obesity · CV risk · CKD
Tirzepatide
Mounjaro · Zepbound — dual GIP/GLP-1
T2D · Obesity · OSA
Liraglutide
Saxenda · Victoza — once-daily GLP-1
T2D · Obesity (incl. pediatric)
Dulaglutide
Trulicity — Fc-fusion GLP-1
T2D · CV risk reduction
Exenatide
Byetta · Bydureon — first-in-class GLP-1
T2D
Lixisenatide
Adlyxin · Soliqua — prandial GLP-1
T2D · Postprandial glucose
Mazdutide
First dual GLP-1/glucagon approved (China 2025)
Obesity · T2D
Pramlintide
Symlin — amylin analog
T1D · T2D (insulin adjunct)
In clinical trials
The next-generation incretin and glucagon co-agonist programs — including triple agonists, GIP-antagonist hybrids, oral non-peptide candidates, and MASH-focused dual agonists.
Retatrutide
Triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist
Obesity · T2D · MASH (Phase 3)
MariTide
GLP-1 agonist + GIP receptor antagonist
Obesity · T2D (Phase 3, monthly)
Survodutide
GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist
Obesity · MASH (Phase 3)
Pemvidutide
GLP-1/glucagon dual — MASH-focused
MASH · Obesity (Phase 2/3)
Orforglipron
Oral non-peptide GLP-1 agonist
Obesity · T2D (Phase 3)
Danuglipron
Pfizer oral non-peptide — discontinued 2025
Case study in oral GLP-1 development
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin analog
Obesity (paired with semaglutide)
CagriSema
Cagrilintide + semaglutide combination
Obesity (Phase 3 REDEFINE)
Comparison articles
Semaglutide vs tirzepatide vs retatrutide
Head-to-head walkthrough of mechanism, weight-loss magnitude, side effects, and access for the three leading injectable agents.
Read articleSingle, dual, and triple incretin agonists
How the class evolved from GLP-1-only to GLP-1/GIP and GLP-1/GIP/glucagon — and why receptor count is no longer the only story.
Read articleOral vs injectable GLP-1s
Rybelsus's strict timing, the emerging non-peptide class led by orforglipron, and the danuglipron lesson on safety stewardship.
Read articleGLP-1 pipeline: 2026 and beyond
A field guide to the next-generation candidates likely to reshape the landscape: retatrutide, MariTide, survodutide, orforglipron, VK2735, and more.
Read articlePractical guides
Preserving lean mass on GLP-1s
DEXA substudy data from STEP and SURMOUNT, plus the protein and resistance-training strategies with the strongest supporting evidence.
Read articleProtein intake while losing weight
What the caloric-deficit literature says about targets (~1.6–2.4 g/kg/day), sources, and timing — and how that translates to GLP-1 users.
Read articleManaging GI side effects
Nausea, reflux, constipation: trial-reported incidence, duration, and mitigation strategies with supporting evidence.
Read articleResistance training on GLP-1s
Practical adjustments — volume, intensity, meal timing, hydration — for combining a GLP-1 with progressive resistance training.
Read articleLong-term use and maintenance
Coming off, weight regain, and the chronic-disease framing for sustained GLP-1 therapy. STEP 4 and SURMOUNT-4 withdrawal data.
Read articleMental health, cravings, and addiction signals
Food noise, alcohol-craving signals, and the depression / suicidality question — what the data does and doesn't show.
Read articleCompounded vs FDA-approved GLP-1s
What's actually different between Wegovy / Zepbound and the compounded versions — identity, purity, regulatory status, and the FDA's stated concerns.
Read articleSleep, energy, and daily life
Beyond the GI side effects: how GLP-1 therapy affects sleep, energy, alcohol tolerance, social eating, and travel logistics.
Read articleHair loss on GLP-1 medications
The 2026 Gupta systematic review and TrinetX cohort data, sema vs tirz signal differences, time course, and what actually prevents shedding.
Read articleResearch updates
Cardiovascular and renal outcomes
LEADER, SUSTAIN-6, REWIND, SELECT, FLOW, STEP-HFpEF — the trials that turned GLP-1s from glycemic agents into core cardiometabolic therapies.
Read articleLatest GLP-1 research
Recent-era trial readouts: SELECT, SURMOUNT-MMO, TRIUMPH, REDEFINE, FLOW, STEP-HFpEF — and what they collectively show.
Read articleHow to use this hub
Start with the semaglutide and tirzepatide peptide pages for the foundation. Move to single vs dual vs triple agonists for the class framework. The practical guides on muscle preservation, side effects, and long-term use are aimed at people actively using or considering GLP-1 therapy. The pipeline and research articles are for readers tracking how the field evolves.