Trade Names of GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
The currently available GLP-1 receptor agonists include Byetta (exenatide), Victoza (liraglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide), Lyxumia (lixisenatide), and Eperzan (albiglutide), while the dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist is Mounjaro (tirzepatide). 1, 2
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Short-Acting Formulations
- Byetta (exenatide): Available as twice-daily subcutaneous injection with a 2.4-hour elimination half-life 1
- Lyxumia (lixisenatide): Once-daily subcutaneous injection with a 3-hour elimination half-life 1
Long-Acting Formulations
- Victoza (liraglutide): Once-daily subcutaneous injection with a 13-hour elimination half-life, approved for both diabetes and weight loss 1
- Byetta (exenatide once-weekly): Weekly subcutaneous injection formulation with 2 mg dosing 1
- Trulicity (dulaglutide): Once-weekly subcutaneous injection with elimination half-life of 4.5-4.7 days 1
- Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide): Available as once-weekly subcutaneous injection (Ozempic for diabetes, Wegovy for weight loss) or oral formulation, with a 7-day elimination half-life 1
- Eperzan (albiglutide): Once-weekly subcutaneous injection with a 5-day elimination half-life 1
Dual GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): The first-in-class glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor co-agonist, administered once weekly subcutaneously with a 5-day elimination half-life 1, 2
- Tirzepatide is approved for type 2 diabetes mellitus and is available in doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 15 mg 2
- This dual agonist demonstrates superior efficacy compared to selective GLP-1 receptor agonists, producing greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight 3, 4, 5
Key Pharmacological Distinctions
Short-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists (Byetta twice-daily, Lyxumia) primarily delay gastric emptying and lower postprandial glucose, while long-acting agents affect both fasting and postprandial glucose through enhanced insulin secretion and reduced glucagon secretion. 6
The dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism of tirzepatide capitalizes on the synergism between GLP-1 and GIP receptor activation, with GIP not significantly affecting gastric emptying while GLP-1 delays it, and both hormones working together to regulate appetite, satiety, and energy expenditure through hypothalamic and brainstem receptors 3, 7.