Template:GLP-1 Agonist Types

GLP-1 Agonist Types

Drug (Brand) Class Dose Route Frequency Key Indications
Daily Dosing
Exenatide (Byetta) GLP-1 RA (exendin-4 based) 5-10 mcg SC BID T2DM
Lixisenatide (Adlyxin) GLP-1 RA (exendin-4 based) 10-20 mcg SC Daily T2DM
Liraglutide (Victoza) GLP-1 RA (human GLP-1 based) 0.6-1.8 mg SC Daily T2DM, CV risk reduction
Liraglutide (Saxenda) GLP-1 RA (human GLP-1 based) 3.0 mg SC Daily Obesity/overweight
Weekly Dosing
Semaglutide (Ozempic) GLP-1 RA (human GLP-1 based) 0.25-2 mg SC Weekly T2DM, CV risk reduction, CKD
Semaglutide (Wegovy) GLP-1 RA (human GLP-1 based) 0.25-2.4 mg SC Weekly Obesity/overweight, CV risk reduction
Semaglutide (Rybelsus) GLP-1 RA (human GLP-1 based) 3-14 mg PO Daily T2DM
Semaglutide (Wegovy Pill) GLP-1 RA (human GLP-1 based) 1.5-25 mg PO Daily Obesity/overweight
Dulaglutide (Trulicity) GLP-1 RA (human GLP-1 based) 0.75-4.5 mg SC Weekly T2DM, CV risk reduction
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) Dual GLP-1/GIP RA 2.5-15 mg SC Weekly T2DM
Tirzepatide (Zepbound) Dual GLP-1/GIP RA 2.5-15 mg SC Weekly Obesity/overweight, OSA
  • Albiglutide (Tanzeum) — discontinued 2017 (commercial reasons, not safety); removed from table
  • Exenatide ER (Bydureon BCise) — discontinued 2023; brand Byetta discontinued 2024 (generic exenatide available)

ED-Relevant Considerations

  • Delayed gastric emptying — all GLP-1 RAs slow gastric motility; important for:
    • Aspiration risk during procedural sedation and intubation (consider NPO status unreliable)
    • Altered absorption of co-administered oral medications
    • 2023 ASA guidance recommends holding GLP-1 RAs prior to elective procedures requiring anesthesia
  • Pancreatitis — rare but serious; discontinue if pancreatitis confirmed
  • Hypoglycemia — low risk as monotherapy; increased risk when combined with sulfonylurea or insulin
  • Nausea/vomiting — most common adverse effect; dose-dependent, typically improves with time
  • Injection site reactions — generally mild
  • Cholelithiasis/cholecystitis — increased incidence reported
  • Contraindicated in personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN type 2