GLP-1 Drugs List: All 22 Medications Compared
Every approved GLP-1 medication in the US, every major pipeline drug, and the non-GLP-1 alternatives — compared by cost, average weight loss, dosing, and how to get prescribed.
FDA-Approved for Weight Loss
Semaglutide
The most-prescribed GLP-1 medication. Active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
| Weight loss | ~15% body weight (avg, 68 wks) |
| Form | Injection or oral pill |
| Cost | $179–1,349/mo |
Wegovy
FDA-approved high-dose semaglutide brand for weight loss.
| Weight loss | 14.9% avg (STEP-1 trial, 68 wks) |
| Form | Weekly subcutaneous injection |
| Cost | $1,349/mo list (insurance often reduces) |
Tirzepatide
Dual-agonist GLP-1/GIP. Currently the most powerful approved weight-loss medication.
| Weight loss | ~22.5% body weight (avg, 72 wks at 15mg) |
| Form | Weekly subcutaneous injection |
| Cost | $199–1,069/mo |
Zepbound
FDA-approved tirzepatide brand for weight loss.
| Weight loss | 20.9% avg at 15 mg (SURMOUNT-1) |
| Form | Weekly subcutaneous injection |
| Cost | $1,069/mo list; $349/mo via LillyDirect (vials) |
Liraglutide
First-generation daily GLP-1. Brand names: Saxenda, Victoza. Now available as generic.
| Weight loss | ~5-8% body weight |
| Form | Daily subcutaneous injection |
| Cost | $450-1,400/mo (generic available 2024) |
Saxenda
Daily injectable liraglutide for weight loss. Older but well-studied.
| Weight loss | ~5-8% (SCALE) |
| Form | Daily subcutaneous injection |
| Cost | $1,349/mo (brand); ~$450 generic |
FDA-Approved for Type 2 Diabetes
These drugs are approved for diabetes but are commonly used off-label for weight loss. The branded version often differs from the same drug approved for weight loss (e.g., Ozempic = Wegovy molecule; Mounjaro = Zepbound molecule).
Mounjaro
Same drug as Zepbound (tirzepatide), approved for type 2 diabetes.
| Form | Weekly subcutaneous injection |
| Cost | $1,069/mo list |
Victoza
Liraglutide for diabetes. Same drug as Saxenda at lower max dose.
| Form | Daily injection |
| Cost | $815-1,200/mo brand; generic ~$450 |
Ozempic
The most-prescribed brand. Semaglutide approved for type 2 diabetes.
| Form | Weekly subcutaneous injection |
| Cost | $998/mo list |
Rybelsus
The only currently approved oral GLP-1 in the US. Daily pill.
| Form | Oral tablet |
| Cost | $1,029/mo list |
Trulicity
Brand name dulaglutide. Easy auto-injector pen.
| Form | Weekly auto-injector |
| Cost | $987/mo list |
Dulaglutide
Active ingredient in Trulicity. No generic yet available.
| Form | Weekly auto-injector |
| Cost | $987/mo (Trulicity brand) |
Pipeline GLP-1 Drugs (Investigational)
These drugs are in Phase 3 trials and are not yet available. Most are expected to receive FDA approval in 2026 or 2027. Several may produce stronger weight loss than currently approved drugs.
Retatrutide
Lilly's triple-agonist next-gen weight loss drug. Strongest results in trials to date.
| Trial weight loss | ~24% at 12 mg (Phase 2, 48 wks) |
| Mechanism | Triple agonist: GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon |
Orforglipron
Lilly's once-daily non-peptide oral GLP-1. No food restrictions, easier to manufacture.
| Trial weight loss | ~14.7% at 36 mg (Phase 2, 36 wks) |
| Mechanism | Small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist |
Survodutide
Dual agonist showing strong weight loss + liver benefits in NASH trials.
| Trial weight loss | ~19% (Phase 2) |
| Mechanism | Dual GLP-1 + glucagon agonist |
Nexaph
Altimmune's dual agonist (also called pemvidutide). Targets weight + liver disease.
| Trial weight loss | ~15.6% at 1.8 mg (Phase 2, 48 wks) |
| Mechanism | Dual GLP-1 + glucagon agonist |
CagriSema
Novo's combination of cagrilintide (amylin analog) and semaglutide.
| Trial weight loss | ~22.7% (REDEFINE-1) |
| Mechanism | Amylin analog + GLP-1 (combo) |
Danuglipron
Pfizer's oral GLP-1. Discontinued in 2025 due to safety concerns.
| Trial weight loss | ~6-8% (Phase 2) |
| Mechanism | Small-molecule GLP-1 agonist |
Pemvidutide
Altimmune's pemvidutide (also branded Nexaph). Dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist.
| Trial weight loss | ~15.6% |
| Mechanism | Dual GLP-1 + glucagon agonist |
Non-GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
These oral medications are sometimes confused with GLP-1s but use different mechanisms. They produce less weight loss than GLP-1s but may be appropriate for patients with GLP-1 contraindications.
Contrave
NOT a GLP-1. Combination naltrexone + bupropion oral pill for weight loss.
Read Full Guide →Metformin
NOT a GLP-1. First-line diabetes drug with modest weight loss benefit.
Read Full Guide →GLP-1 Comparison Table
| Drug | Class | Form | Frequency | Avg Loss | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | FDA Approved | Injection or oral pill | Once weekly (injection) / daily (Rybelsus) | ~15% body weight (avg, 68 wks) | $179–1,349/mo |
| Wegovy | FDA Approved | Weekly subcutaneous injection | Once weekly | 14.9% avg (STEP-1 trial, 68 wks) | $1,349/mo list (insurance often reduces) |
| Tirzepatide | FDA Approved | Weekly subcutaneous injection | Once weekly | ~22.5% body weight (avg, 72 wks at 15mg) | $199–1,069/mo |
| Zepbound | FDA Approved | Weekly subcutaneous injection | Once weekly | 20.9% avg at 15 mg (SURMOUNT-1) | $1,069/mo list; $349/mo via LillyDirect (vials) |
| Mounjaro | FDA: Diabetes | Weekly subcutaneous injection | Once weekly | ~15-22% (off-label use) | $1,069/mo list |
| Liraglutide | FDA Approved | Daily subcutaneous injection | Once daily | ~5-8% body weight | $450-1,400/mo (generic available 2024) |
| Saxenda | FDA Approved | Daily subcutaneous injection | Once daily | ~5-8% (SCALE) | $1,349/mo (brand); ~$450 generic |
| Victoza | FDA: Diabetes | Daily injection | Once daily | ~3-5% (off-label) | $815-1,200/mo brand; generic ~$450 |
| Ozempic | FDA: Diabetes | Weekly subcutaneous injection | Once weekly | ~13-15% (off-label) | $998/mo list |
| Rybelsus | FDA: Diabetes | Oral tablet | Daily, on empty stomach | ~3-5% at 14 mg | $1,029/mo list |
| Trulicity | FDA: Diabetes | Weekly auto-injector | Once weekly | ~3-5% (off-label) | $987/mo list |
| Dulaglutide | FDA: Diabetes | Weekly auto-injector | Once weekly | ~3-5% | $987/mo (Trulicity brand) |
| Retatrutide | Pipeline (Phase 3) | Weekly subcutaneous injection | Once weekly | ~24% at 12 mg (Phase 2, 48 wks) | Not yet on market |
| Orforglipron | Pipeline (Phase 3) | Daily oral tablet (non-peptide) | Once daily | ~14.7% at 36 mg (Phase 2, 36 wks) | Not yet on market |
| Survodutide | Pipeline (Phase 3) | Weekly injection | Once weekly | ~19% (Phase 2) | Not yet on market |
| Nexaph | Pipeline | Weekly injection | Once weekly | ~15.6% at 1.8 mg (Phase 2, 48 wks) | Not yet on market |
| CagriSema | Pipeline (Phase 3) | Weekly combination injection | Once weekly | ~22.7% (REDEFINE-1) | Not yet on market |
| Danuglipron | Pipeline | Oral tablet | Daily | ~6-8% (Phase 2) | Not yet on market |
| Pemvidutide | Pipeline (Phase 3) | Weekly injection | Once weekly | ~15.6% | Not yet on market |
| Contrave | Non-GLP-1 | Oral tablet | Twice daily | ~5-9% | $99-650/mo |
| Qsymia | Non-GLP-1 | Oral capsule | Once daily | ~10% | $98-200/mo |
| Metformin | Non-GLP-1 | Oral tablet | Twice daily (immediate); once (XR) | ~2-3% modest | $4-15/mo (generic) |