Every GLP-1 Medication Available in 2026
A complete map of every FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist on the market in 2026 — by molecule, brand, indication, and maximum dose.
There are five molecules in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class with FDA approval in 2026: semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, exenatide, and dulaglutide. Between them they cover nine brand names across diabetes, weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction, and obstructive sleep apnea. Tirzepatide is technically a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist, but it sits in the same conversation because it acts on the same receptor and the patient experience overlaps heavily.
This page is the reference list. Each entry covers the brand name, manufacturer, format, current FDA-approved indications, starter and maximum dose, and a brief note on where it fits in the broader picture. Pipeline drugs not yet approved — retatrutide, CagriSema, oral tirzepatide, monthly variants — are summarized at the end.
Semaglutide (Novo Nordisk)
The most widely prescribed GLP-1 in 2026. Three FDA-approved brands cover three different indications and formats.
Ozempic
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (multi-dose pen). Doses: 0.25 mg starter, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg. Indication: Type 2 diabetes; reduction of cardiovascular events in adults with T2D and established cardiovascular disease.
The original semaglutide brand and the most commonly prescribed weight-loss prescription off-label. Approved 2017. Not labeled for weight management — but real-world weight loss data is extensive.
Wegovy
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (single-dose pen). Doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg. Indication: Chronic weight management in adults and adolescents 12+; reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established CVD and obesity (added 2024 based on the SELECT trial).
Semaglutide at higher max dose than Ozempic, labeled for obesity. The cardiovascular indication was a landmark — the first time a weight-loss drug was approved for reducing MACE.
Rybelsus
Format: Once-daily oral tablet. Doses: 3 mg starter, 7 mg, 14 mg. Indication: Type 2 diabetes only.
The only oral GLP-1 in the class. Requires careful empty-stomach dosing — taken with a small sip of water, 30 minutes before any food or other medication. Bioavailability is low, which is why the milligram doses look so different from injectable semaglutide.
Tirzepatide (Eli Lilly)
A dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist, often described as the next generation after semaglutide. Two FDA-approved brands.
Mounjaro
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (single-dose pen). Doses: 2.5 mg starter, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg. Indication: Type 2 diabetes.
Approved 2022. Like Ozempic's relationship to Wegovy, Mounjaro is the diabetes-labeled version of the tirzepatide molecule, frequently prescribed off-label for weight management.
Zepbound
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (single-dose pen or vial). Doses: 2.5 mg starter, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg. Indication: Chronic weight management; moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity (added 2024).
The weight-management-labeled version of tirzepatide. Its OSA indication was the first GLP-1-class approval for sleep apnea, based on the SURMOUNT-OSA trial showing meaningful reductions in AHI.
Liraglutide (Novo Nordisk)
A daily GLP-1, older than semaglutide and tirzepatide. Branded liraglutide has lost market share to weekly options but remains on the market in two indications. Generic and authorized-generic versions exist as of 2024.
Victoza
Format: Once-daily subcutaneous injection (multi-dose pen). Doses: 0.6 mg starter, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg. Indication: Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10+; cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with T2D and established CVD.
Approved 2010, the first long-acting GLP-1. Approved for pediatric use down to age 10, which still distinguishes it from most newer options.
Saxenda
Format: Once-daily subcutaneous injection (multi-dose pen). Doses: 0.6 mg week 1, titrated weekly to 3.0 mg. Indication: Chronic weight management in adults and adolescents 12+.
Liraglutide at higher dose for weight management. Daily dosing is its main practical disadvantage versus weekly options, though some patients prefer the smaller, more consistent dose.
Exenatide (AstraZeneca)
The oldest GLP-1 still on the market in the US, though prescribing has dropped sharply with the rise of semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Byetta
Format: Twice-daily subcutaneous injection. Doses: 5 mcg, 10 mcg. Indication: Type 2 diabetes.
Approved 2005, the first GLP-1 to reach the US market. Twice-daily injection makes it impractical for most patients today, but it is still available.
Bydureon BCise
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (extended-release). Doses: 2 mg. Indication: Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10+.
An extended-release weekly version of exenatide. The autoinjector requires resuspending the drug before injection, a step that newer pens have eliminated. Rarely first-line in 2026.
Dulaglutide (Eli Lilly)
A weekly GLP-1 for diabetes only. Less prescribed than tirzepatide within the same manufacturer's portfolio in 2026, but still widely used.
Trulicity
Format: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (single-use autoinjector). Doses: 0.75 mg starter, 1.5 mg, 3.0 mg, 4.5 mg. Indication: Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10+; cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with T2D.
Approved 2014. The autoinjector is its main differentiator — the needle is hidden, dosing requires no pen-cap or air-shot step, and many patients find it the easiest GLP-1 to self-administer.
Pipeline drugs (not yet approved in 2026)
Several GLP-1-adjacent molecules are in late-stage development as of 2026 but are not FDA-approved. Coverage on this site is preview-only.
Retatrutide (Eli Lilly)
A triple agonist (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors). Phase 2 weight-loss data was the largest reported for any single agent. Phase 3 program ongoing. Earliest possible approval window 2026 to 2027.
CagriSema (Novo Nordisk)
Cagrilintide (an amylin analog) combined with semaglutide in one weekly injection. Phase 3 REDEFINE trials reading out, early results below pre-trial expectations but better than semaglutide alone.
Oral tirzepatide
An oral formulation of tirzepatide in development. Would be the second oral GLP-1 class drug after Rybelsus. Not yet filed.
Monthly variants
Several companies are developing GLP-1 formulations dosed monthly rather than weekly. Phase 1 and 2 work only; nothing close to approval.
How they compare at a glance
Semaglutide and tirzepatide dominate prescribing volume in 2026. For weight loss specifically, tirzepatide has produced the larger trial results to date (roughly 20% mean weight loss at the 15 mg dose in SURMOUNT-1, versus roughly 15% for Wegovy's 2.4 mg in STEP-1), though individual response varies widely and head-to-head data is limited. Liraglutide, exenatide, and dulaglutide are older options still in use, especially where pediatric indication, lower cost (after generic entry), or specific cardiovascular evidence matter.
The cardiovascular and OSA indications meaningfully change who can get coverage. Wegovy and Zepbound both have indications beyond weight loss alone, which sometimes unlocks insurance approval for patients whose plans exclude obesity drugs but cover cardiovascular risk reduction or sleep apnea treatment.
Common questions
Common Concerns
Which GLP-1 is the strongest for weight loss?expand_more
What's the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?expand_more
Is there a generic GLP-1?expand_more
Can I switch between GLP-1s?expand_more
Why aren't compounded versions on this list?expand_more
Keep exploring
For the underlying vocabulary, see the GLP-1 glossary. For drug-by-drug comparisons, see Best GLP-1 for weight loss. For the full catalog, browse the Resources hub.