GLP-1 Brands: A Complete Guide to Every FDA-Approved GLP-1 Medication in 2026

Key Takeaways

• The major FDA-approved GLP-1 brands in 2026 are Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus (semaglutide), Mounjaro, Zepbound (tirzepatide), Saxenda, Victoza (liraglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Bydureon (exenatide), and Adlyxin (lixisenatide).
• Eli Lilly makes Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Novo Nordisk makes the semaglutide and liraglutide products. Other manufacturers cover the remaining drugs.
• Most are once-weekly injections, with Saxenda, Victoza, and Adlyxin dosed daily and Rybelsus dosed daily as a pill.
• For weight management specifically, only Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide), and Saxenda (liraglutide) carry FDA approval. The diabetes-only brands like Ozempic and Mounjaro are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight.
• Tirzepatide products produce the highest mean weight loss (about 20% at 15 mg over 72 weeks) followed by semaglutide products (about 15% at 2.4 mg over 68 weeks).

Direct answer (40-60 words)

The main FDA-approved GLP-1 brands are Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus (semaglutide), Mounjaro, Zepbound (tirzepatide), Saxenda, Victoza (liraglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Bydureon (exenatide), and Adlyxin (lixisenatide). Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda are FDA-approved for weight management. The others are approved for type 2 diabetes.

Table of contents

1. The 30-second answer
2. The full brand-by-brand reference
3. Semaglutide brands (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
4. Tirzepatide brands (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
5. Liraglutide brands (Saxenda, Victoza)
6. Other GLP-1 brands (Trulicity, Bydureon, Adlyxin)
7. Comparison table: efficacy and dosing
8. Compounded GLP-1 status in 2026
9. FAQ

The full brand-by-brand reference

The FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists currently on the U.S. market (as of April 2026):

Tirzepatide is technically a dual GLP-1 / GIP receptor agonist rather than a pure GLP-1, but it's grouped with GLP-1 brands in clinical practice and patient discussions.

A few brands have been discontinued or are no longer broadly distributed (Byetta, Tanzeum, Lyxumia in the U.S.), so they're omitted from the live list above.

Semaglutide brands (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)

All three are made by Novo Nordisk and contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. They differ in indication, dose strength, and delivery format.

Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Available as a once-weekly injectable pen at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg doses. Initiated at 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then increased every 4 weeks as tolerated. Most commonly prescribed at 1.0 mg or 2.0 mg for established diabetes treatment.

Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities, and in adolescents 12 and older. Available as a once-weekly injectable pen at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.7, and 2.4 mg doses. Initiated at 0.25 mg weekly and titrated to a target maintenance dose of 2.4 mg over 16 to 20 weeks.

Rybelsus is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and is the oral form of semaglutide, taken as a once-daily tablet. Available at 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg doses. Initiated at 3 mg daily for 30 days, then 7 mg, then 14 mg if needed. Bioavailability is much lower than the injectable products, so daily dosing is needed to reach effective drug levels.

The STEP 1 trial (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021) is the foundational study for semaglutide weight loss efficacy, demonstrating mean 14.9% body weight loss at 2.4 mg over 68 weeks. Subsequent trials (STEP 5, STEP 8, SELECT) extended the evidence base to longer durations and to cardiovascular outcomes.

Tirzepatide brands (Mounjaro, Zepbound)

Both made by Eli Lilly, both contain tirzepatide. Same molecule, same dose strengths, different FDA indications.

Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Available as a once-weekly injectable pen at 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 mg doses. Titration follows the standard 2.5 mg starting dose for 4 weeks, then 5 mg, advancing 2.5 mg every 4 weeks as tolerated.

Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults and for obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Available in identical dose strengths to Mounjaro (2.5 to 15 mg). Same titration schedule.

Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 / GIP receptor agonist. The dual receptor activity is associated with greater weight loss than pure GLP-1 agonists in head-to-head trials. The SURPASS-2 trial (Frias et al., NEJM 2021) compared tirzepatide to semaglutide in type 2 diabetes and found tirzepatide produced more weight loss across all dose levels. The SURMOUNT-1 trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022) demonstrated 20.9% mean body weight loss at 15 mg over 72 weeks in adults with obesity.

In April 2024, Zepbound received an additional FDA approval for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, based on the SURMOUNT-OSA trials.

Both Mounjaro and Zepbound went through the recent FDA shortage list cycle. Tirzepatide was on the shortage list from December 2022 to October 2024, when the FDA determined supply had recovered enough to delist it.

Liraglutide brands (Saxenda, Victoza)

Both made by Novo Nordisk, both contain liraglutide. Same molecule, different doses, different indications.

Saxenda is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents. Daily injection. Titrated weekly: 0.6 mg for 1 week, 1.2 mg for 1 week, 1.8 mg for 1 week, 2.4 mg for 1 week, then 3.0 mg as the target maintenance dose.

Victoza is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10+. Daily injection. Titrated similarly to Saxenda but with a maintenance dose of 1.2 to 1.8 mg, lower than Saxenda's 3.0 mg target.

Liraglutide came to market before semaglutide and tirzepatide and produces less weight loss in head-to-head trials. The SCALE trials demonstrated mean 8.0% body weight loss at 3.0 mg over 56 weeks. Daily injection is also less convenient than the weekly options, which has shifted prescribing toward semaglutide and tirzepatide for most new patients.

Other GLP-1 brands

Trulicity (dulaglutide). Manufactured by Eli Lilly. FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Once-weekly injection at 0.75, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mg doses. Used primarily for diabetes management; weight loss is modest (about 3 to 5 kg at maintenance dose). Not FDA-approved for weight management.

Bydureon BCise (exenatide ER). Manufactured by AstraZeneca. FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Once-weekly extended-release injection at a fixed 2 mg dose. Older mechanism of action; less weight loss than newer agents. Less commonly prescribed in 2026 than weekly semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Adlyxin (lixisenatide). Manufactured by Sanofi. FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Once-daily injection at 10 or 20 mcg. Shorter-acting than semaglutide. Limited use in current U.S. clinical practice. Available in fixed-ratio combinations with insulin glargine (Soliqua).

These brands occupy a smaller share of the GLP-1 market today than the semaglutide and tirzepatide products, partly because of efficacy differences and partly because dosing convenience favors the newer agents.

Comparison table: efficacy and dosing

A side-by-side view of the main GLP-1 weight loss data from major clinical trials:

The headline numbers favor tirzepatide for weight loss. For type 2 diabetes glycemic control, tirzepatide also generally outperforms semaglutide, with both substantially better than older GLP-1s.

For cardiovascular outcomes, semaglutide has the most published data: the SELECT trial demonstrated 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity over 3 years. Tirzepatide's cardiovascular outcomes trial (SURPASS-CVOT) is ongoing, with results expected to inform how the two products compare on this endpoint.

Compounded GLP-1 status in 2026

Compounded versions of GLP-1 medications were widely available during the FDA shortage period for both semaglutide (2022 to present) and tirzepatide (2022 to October 2024). The status as of early 2026:

Semaglutide: still on the FDA shortage list. 503A and 503B compounding pharmacies can prepare it under shortage exemptions. Many telehealth platforms still source compounded semaglutide for cost-conscious patients.

Tirzepatide: removed from the FDA shortage list on October 2, 2024. Mass 503B compounding has largely ended. Personalized 503A compounded tirzepatide remains available when prepared in response to a specific prescription with a documented clinical reason for personalization.

Liraglutide and other GLP-1s: not commonly compounded. Brand-name supply has been adequate.

The patient takeaway: compounded GLP-1 access varies by drug, by pharmacy type, and by your provider's prescribing pathway. Ask which active ingredient and which pharmacy pathway your prescription is using.

FAQ

What are the main GLP-1 brands?

The major FDA-approved GLP-1 brands are Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide), Saxenda and Victoza (liraglutide), Rybelsus (oral semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Bydureon (exenatide), and Adlyxin (lixisenatide).

Which GLP-1 brand is FDA-approved for weight loss?

Three GLP-1 brands carry FDA approval for chronic weight management: Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly), Zepbound (tirzepatide up to 15 mg weekly), and Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg daily). Other brands are approved for type 2 diabetes and sometimes prescribed off-label for weight.

What's the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?

Both are semaglutide made by Novo Nordisk. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (max dose 2.0 mg weekly). Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management (max dose 2.4 mg weekly). Same molecule, different doses, different FDA-cleared indications.

What's the difference between Mounjaro and Zepbound?

Both are tirzepatide made by Eli Lilly. Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Same molecule, same dose strengths, different indications.

Which GLP-1 brand is most effective for weight loss?

Based on published trial data, tirzepatide products (Zepbound, Mounjaro off-label) produce the highest mean weight loss at about 21% over 72 weeks at maximum dose. Semaglutide products are next at about 15% over 68 weeks. Liraglutide produces about 8% over 56 weeks.

Which GLP-1 brand has the best cardiovascular data?

Semaglutide has the most published cardiovascular outcomes data. The SELECT trial demonstrated a 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. Tirzepatide's cardiovascular outcomes trial is ongoing.

Are all GLP-1 brands once-weekly injections?

No. Most newer brands are weekly injections (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, Bydureon). Liraglutide products (Victoza, Saxenda) and lixisenatide (Adlyxin) are daily injections. Rybelsus is the only oral GLP-1, taken as a daily tablet.

Is there a generic version of any GLP-1 brand?

Not yet for the major weight management or newer diabetes GLP-1s. Patents on semaglutide and tirzepatide extend into the early 2030s and beyond. Liraglutide patents have expired in some markets, with biosimilar development underway, but no FDA-approved generic in the U.S. as of early 2026.

Why is compounded semaglutide cheaper than Ozempic or Wegovy?

Compounded versions are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies rather than by the brand manufacturer. They don't carry the same R&D, marketing, and regulatory cost burden. Compounded versions are also not FDA-approved and have not undergone the same review process as brand drugs.

Can I switch between GLP-1 brands?

Yes, with provider guidance. Switching between brands of the same active ingredient (e.g., Ozempic to Wegovy) is direct since the molecule is the same. Switching between different active ingredients (e.g., semaglutide to tirzepatide) usually requires re-titration starting at a low dose to assess tolerability.

Which GLP-1 brand has the fewest side effects?

Liraglutide and dulaglutide tend to have lower rates of severe gastrointestinal side effects than semaglutide and tirzepatide, but they also produce less weight loss. The trade-off generally favors the newer, more effective agents for most patients despite their higher side effect rates.

Are GLP-1 brands covered by insurance?

Coverage varies widely. Diabetes-indication GLP-1s (Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc.) are commonly covered for type 2 diabetes diagnoses. Weight-management indications (Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda) are covered by some plans for obesity diagnoses but excluded by others. Manufacturer savings programs reduce out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients.

Related guides

• GLP-1 Brands: Every FDA-Approved and Compounded Option Compared (2026 Complete Guide)
• The Complete GLP-1 List: Every FDA-Approved and Compounded Medication for Weight Loss and Diabetes in 2026
• The Complete GLP-1 Medication List: Every FDA-Approved and Compounded Option in 2026
• What's Zepbound? The FDA-Approved Dual-Agonist Weight Loss Medication and How It Differs From Every Other GLP-1
• What Is a GLP-1 Medication? The Class, the Hormone, and Every Approved Drug
• GLP-1 Drugs Oral List: Every FDA-Approved Pill, Compounded Alternative, and When Oral Formulations Actually Work Better Than Injections

Sources

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information. Novo Nordisk.
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ozempic (semaglutide) prescribing information. Novo Nordisk.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information. Eli Lilly.
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information. Eli Lilly.
5. Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989-1002.
6. Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). N Engl J Med. 2022;387:205-216.
7. Frias JP, et al. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-2). N Engl J Med. 2021;385:503-515.
8. Lincoff AM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2221-2232.
9. Pi-Sunyer X, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management (SCALE). N Engl J Med. 2015;373:11-22.
10. Malhotra A, et al. Tirzepatide for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity (SURMOUNT-OSA). N Engl J Med. 2024.

Footer disclaimers

Platform Disclaimer. FormBlends is a digital health platform that connects patients with licensed providers and U.S.-based pharmacies. We do not manufacture, prescribe, or dispense medication directly. All clinical decisions are made by independent licensed providers.

Compounded Medication Notice. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved. They are prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. Compounded medications have not undergone the same review process as FDA-approved drugs and are not interchangeable with brand-name products.

Results Disclaimer. Individual results vary. Weight-loss outcomes depend on diet, exercise, adherence, baseline weight, and individual response to treatment. Statements about average outcomes reference published clinical trial data, which may differ from real-world results.

Trademark Notice. Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Saxenda, and Victoza are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Trulicity are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. Bydureon is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca. Adlyxin and Soliqua are registered trademarks of Sanofi. FormBlends is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of these companies.