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Classes

GLP-1 & incretins

Incretin receptor agonists for glycaemic control and weight management, including the dual and triple agonists.

6 compounds in this class. 3 approved by the FDA for at least one indication. 0 have no published human trial data.

Guides in this class

All 6 GLP-1 & incretins compared

CompoundEvidenceReported rangeHalf-lifeStatus
Cagrilintide
A long-acting amylin analog developed primarily as a combination partner for semaglutide rather than as a standalone agent.
 Clinical trials 300 mcg - 2.4 mg ~7-8 days Research only
Liraglutide
The first-generation daily GLP-1 agonist, largely superseded by weekly agents but still widely prescribed.
 Regulator approved 600 mcg - 3 mg ~13 hours Approved
Retatrutide
An investigational triple agonist at GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, in Phase 3 trials and not FDA approved.
 Clinical trials 1-12 mg ~6 days Research only
Semaglutide
A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist and the compound that reset expectations for pharmacological weight loss.
 Regulator approved 250 mcg - 2.4 mg ~7 days Approved
Survodutide
An investigational dual glucagon and GLP-1 receptor agonist, studied heavily in metabolic liver disease.
 Clinical trials 800 mcg - 6 mg ~6-7 days Research only
Tirzepatide
A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that produced greater weight loss than semaglutide in head-to-head trial data.
 Regulator approved 2.5-15 mg ~5 days Approved

Head-to-head comparisons

Cagrilintide vs SemaglutideCagrilintide vs TirzepatideLiraglutide vs SemaglutideLiraglutide vs TirzepatideRetatrutide vs TirzepatideRetatrutide vs SemaglutideRetatrutide vs SurvodutideSemaglutide vs TirzepatideAOD-9604 vs SemaglutideSurvodutide vs TirzepatideSemaglutide vs Survodutide

GLP-1 & incretins: common questions

What are GLP-1 & incretins?

Incretin receptor agonists for glycaemic control and weight management, including the dual and triple agonists. This class has 6 compounds in our directory.

Which GLP-1 & incretins are FDA approved?

Liraglutide, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide are FDA approved for at least one indication. The others are not approved.

Which GLP-1 & incretins have the strongest evidence?

By evidence level and number of human studies: Semaglutide (regulator approved, ~90 human studies); Liraglutide (regulator approved, ~70 human studies); Tirzepatide (regulator approved, ~60 human studies).

Can compounding pharmacies make these?

Cagrilintide, Retatrutide, Survodutide are not FDA approved and not on the 503A bulks list, so there is no routine legal path to compound them. Material sold online is labelled for research use only. Status checked against FDA lists in October 2026.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. FDA: Bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks (Category 2 and withdrawn nominations) ↗ · content current as of April 22, 2026; checked October 18, 2026
  2. FDA: Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A ↗ · how the 503A categories work
  3. FDA: Unapproved drugs ↗ · status of products sold "for research use only"
  4. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · peptide hormones and growth factors, class S2
  5. PubMed (National Library of Medicine) ↗ · source of every literature reference on this site

Published literature

  1. Yao H, Zhang A, Li D, et al.. Comparative effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists on glycaemic control, body weight, and lipid profile for type 2 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis.BMJ 2024.PubMed 38286487 · doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-076410
  2. Garvey WT, Blüher M, Osorto Contreras CK, et al.. Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.N Engl J Med 2025.PubMed 40544433 · doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2502081
  3. Davies MJ, Bajaj HS, Broholm C, et al.. Cagrilintide-Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.N Engl J Med 2025.PubMed 40544432 · doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2502082
  4. Eržen S, Tonin G, Jurišić Eržen D, et al.. Amylin, Another Important Neuroendocrine Hormone for the Treatment of Diabesity.Int J Mol Sci 2024.PubMed 38338796 · doi:10.3390/ijms25031517
  5. Rubio-Herrera MA, Mera-Carreiro S. Weight management treatment in obesity.Med Clin (Barc) 2025.PubMed 40865172 · doi:10.1016/j.medcli.2025.107152
  6. Lau DCW, Erichsen L, Francisco AM, et al.. Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 trial.Lancet 2021.PubMed 34798060 · doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01751-7
  7. Frias JP, Deenadayalan S, Erichsen L, et al.. Efficacy and safety of co-administered once-weekly cagrilintide 2·4 mg with once-weekly semaglutide 2·4 mg in type 2 diabetes: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 2 trial.Lancet 2023.PubMed 37364590 · doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01163-7
  8. Son JW, le Roux CW, Blüher M, et al.. Novel GLP-1-based Medications for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity.Endocr Rev 2026.PubMed 41054801 · doi:10.1210/endrev/bnaf036
  9. Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, et al.. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA 2022.PubMed 35015037 · doi:10.1001/jama.2021.23619
  10. Marso SP, Daniels GH, Brown-Frandsen K, et al.. Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes.N Engl J Med 2016.PubMed 27295427 · doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1603827
  11. Fox CK, Barrientos-Pérez M, Bomberg EM, et al.. Liraglutide for Children 6 to <12 Years of Age with Obesity - A Randomized Trial.N Engl J Med 2025.PubMed 39258838 · doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2407379
  12. Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al.. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management.N Engl J Med 2015.PubMed 26132939 · doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1411892
  13. Lundgren JR, Janus C, Jensen SBK, et al.. Healthy Weight Loss Maintenance with Exercise, Liraglutide, or Both Combined.N Engl J Med 2021.PubMed 33951361 · doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2028198
  14. Armstrong MJ, Gaunt P, Aithal GP, et al.. Liraglutide safety and efficacy in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (LEAN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 study.Lancet 2016.PubMed 26608256 · doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00803-X

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.