GLP-1 glossary
A searchable, plain-English reference for GLP-1 medicines (generic + brand names), emerging pipeline drugs, and the words you’ll see in clinics, prescribing notes, and online.
- A drug directory (UK + US brand names, plus key global names)
- A pipeline watchlist (retatrutide, orforglipron, CagriSema and other “next-gen” terms)
- Clear definitions for acronyms, prescribing language, and maintenance vocabulary
- Safety and sourcing terms (UK + US) so you can spot red flags quickly
Trust & updates: This glossary is compiled from MHRA Drug Safety Updates, NICE guidance, FDA approvals/labels, peer-reviewed publications, and sponsor regulatory-status statements. Last updated: March 2026. If a term is missing, treat this as a living glossary — it's updated when new UK guidance or approvals are published.
Why this glossary exists
GLP-1 language is messy: brand names vary by country, some drugs are approved for diabetes but discussed for weight loss, and the pipeline is moving fast (so you keep seeing new names in headlines). This glossary is designed to be the one page you can come back to when you see an unfamiliar term and just want the straight definition. For background on how GLP-1 medicines work, see our introductory page.
Drug directory: approved medicines
The same active ingredient can have different brand names depending on the country, indication, and format. Use your browser find (\u2318F / Ctrl+F) to search for a specific name.
| Active ingredient | Class | Brand names (UK) | Brand names (US) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | GLP-1 RA | Ozempic, Rybelsus▼, Wegovy▼ | Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy (injection + tablets) | Same ingredient, different products/labels depending on indication/format |
| Tirzepatide | Dual GIP/GLP-1 (“twincretin”) | Mounjaro▼ | Mounjaro (diabetes), Zepbound (weight management) | Dual-hormone agonist rather than “GLP-1 only” |
| Liraglutide | GLP-1 RA | Victoza, Saxenda | Victoza, Saxenda | Older daily GLP-1 option; still widely referenced |
| Dulaglutide | GLP-1 RA | Trulicity | Trulicity | Often mentioned in diabetes contexts |
| Exenatide | GLP-1 RA | Bydureon (historical) | Byetta, Bydureon | MHRA notes exenatide is no longer marketed in the UK |
| Lixisenatide | GLP-1 RA | (not currently) | Adlyxin | MHRA notes lixisenatide is no longer authorised in the UK |
| Insulin degludec + liraglutide | Fixed-ratio combo | Xultophy | Xultophy | Combo product (basal insulin + GLP-1 RA) |
| Insulin glargine + lixisenatide | Fixed-ratio combo | Suliqua (historical) | Soliqua 100/33 | UK authorisation status has changed (see MHRA DSU) |
Drug directory: in development / pipeline
These are the names people search a lot, but they may not be approved, and status can change quickly. Check the “Last updated” date above.
| Name | What it is | Format | Status snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | “Triple agonist” (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon) | Weekly injection | Phase 2 published; phase 3 ongoing |
| Orforglipron | Oral, small-molecule (non-peptide) GLP-1 agonist | Daily tablet | Phase 3 published; submitted for obesity in 2025; not yet FDA-approved |
| CagriSema | Semaglutide + cagrilintide (amylin analogue) combo | Weekly injection | In large phase 3 programmes / trials |
| Survodutide | GLP-1 + glucagon dual agonist | Weekly injection | Global phase 3 programmes described by sponsor |
| Pemvidutide | GLP-1 + glucagon dual agonist | Weekly injection | Investigational; published clinical studies and ongoing development |
| Mazdutide (IBI362) | GLP-1 + glucagon dual agonist | Weekly injection | Published obesity trial evidence (China-focused) |
| Ecnoglutide (Xianweiying) | GLP-1 agonist (region-specific) | Weekly injection | Approved for weight management in China |
| VK2735 | Dual GLP-1/GIP candidate (Viking) | Oral + injection (being studied) | Phase 3 initiation reported in 2025 |
| Maritide (Amgen) | GLP-1-pathway candidate | Injection | Pipeline programmes described in updates (status can shift) |
| MET-097i (Metsera) | Once-monthly GLP-1 injection candidate | Monthly injection | Mid-stage results reported; late-stage development expected |
| Danuglipron (Pfizer) | Oral small-molecule GLP-1 candidate | Tablet | Development discontinued (liver safety) |
| Lotiglipron (Pfizer) | Oral GLP-1 candidate | Tablet | Development discontinued (liver safety) |
Acronyms & shorthand
GLP-1 — Glucagon-like peptide-1 (a gut hormone involved in appetite and glucose regulation).
GLP-1 RA — GLP-1 receptor agonist (a medicine class).
GIP — Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (another incretin hormone).
GCGR — Glucagon receptor (often referenced in “triple agonist” discussions).
INN / USAN — The standard generic name systems (international / US).
SmPC — Summary of Product Characteristics (UK/EU clinician label).
PIL — Patient Information Leaflet (UK/EU).
CVOT — Cardiovascular outcomes trial.
MACE — Major adverse cardiovascular events.
HbA1c — A longer-term measure of blood glucose control.
BMI — Body mass index.
▼ Black triangle — “Additional monitoring” symbol in the UK (see Safety section below).
“Twincretin” — A nickname for dual GIP/GLP-1 drugs like tirzepatide.
“Triple G” / “Triple agonist” — Shorthand often used for retatrutide.
Mechanisms & hormone terms
Incretin — Hormones released after eating that help regulate insulin and appetite (GLP-1 and GIP are key examples).
Dual agonist — One drug that activates two receptors (e.g., GLP-1 + GIP).
Triple agonist / triagonist — Activates three receptors (e.g., GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon).
Amylin — A hormone co-released with insulin; “amylin analogues” are being combined with GLP-1 drugs in next-gen programmes (e.g., CagriSema combines semaglutide with cagrilintide).
SNAC (salcaprozate sodium) — An absorption enhancer used in oral semaglutide formulations to help the medicine be absorbed.
Peptide vs non-peptide — Most classic GLP-1 medicines are peptides (injections); some next-gen options are small-molecule, non-peptide pills (e.g., orforglipron).
Gastric emptying — How quickly food leaves the stomach (GLP-1 medicines often slow this, contributing to fullness).
Satiety — The feeling of fullness.
Prescribing & pathway terms
Indication — What a medicine is officially approved to treat.
Label / “on-label” — Used within its approved indication.
Off-label — Prescribed outside the approved indication (this is clinician-led, and the evidence/risks matter).
Titration / dose escalation — Gradually increasing dose to improve tolerability (common in GLP-1 pathways).
Re-titration — Restarting at a lower dose after a break and increasing again (your prescriber advises).
Discontinuation — Stopping for an extended period (often operationalised as ~28+ days in pathway analytics).
Reinitiation — Restarting after discontinuation.
Adherence — Taking doses as prescribed.
Persistence — Staying on the medicine over time (even if adherence isn’t perfect).
For more on discontinuation and restart patterns, see stop–start cycles and why people stop GLP-1.
Safety & sourcing terms
Black triangle (▼) — In the UK this marks medicines under additional monitoring (you’ll see this on some GLP-1 products).
Yellow Card — The UK scheme for reporting suspected side effects; MHRA regularly reminds patients and clinicians to report.
Pancreatitis — A recognised rare risk signal that MHRA has issued strengthened warnings about (important term people see in safety updates).
Counterfeit / fake pens — Illegal imitation injection pens (MHRA has warned the public about fake Ozempic/Saxenda pens and broader risks).
“Research use only” GLP-1s — Unapproved products sold online with that label; FDA has warned consumers about these being of unknown quality and potentially harmful.
Compounded GLP-1 — Custom-made versions prepared by compounders (mostly a US-centric term); FDA has issued multiple policy updates and warnings as shortages changed.
A note on sourcing
If you see GLP-1 medicines sold online with labels like “research use only”, “not for human use”, or at unusually low prices, these are red flags. Use licensed pharmacies and regulated prescribers. If in doubt, check with your pharmacist or the MHRA. See also our clinical boundaries page.
Maintenance terms
Maintenance — the phase after initial weight loss where the focus is sustaining progress. See GLP-1 maintenance.
Drift — subtle changes that suggest maintenance is under strain (missed doses, appetite return, less structure).
Drift detection — spotting those early signals before weight clearly changes. See drift detection.
Stop–start cycle — repeated stopping and restarting (often linked to re-titration burden and weight fluctuations). See stop–start cycles.
Weight regain — regaining weight after weight loss; commonly discussed after treatment withdrawal. See weight regain after stopping.
How Healthcount helps
Healthcount is quiet-by-design: it stays quiet when things look stable, and nudges you when signals suggest drift (without daily food logging). It does not prescribe, diagnose, or advise dose changes. Learn more about how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- UK list of GLP-1 / GLP-1+GIP medicines (and black triangle notation)
- MHRA Drug Safety Update (UK safety language; class membership; Yellow Card reminders; UK marketing/authorisation notes)
- FDA approvals/labels for US brand names (Zepbound; Wegovy tablets)
- Peer-reviewed publications for emerging medicines (retatrutide; orforglipron) and sponsor regulatory-status statements
- Pipeline definitions and sponsors/trial registries where available (CagriSema, survodutide, etc.)
Last updated: March 2026. This glossary is reviewed when new UK guidance, approvals, or pipeline updates are published.
See also: Clinical boundaries | Privacy & UK GDPR | Security
Related reading
Uses, basics, and maintenance
Staying consistent after the early momentum
Common patterns and how to avoid them
NHS, private, and online routes
A quiet-by-design maintenance companion
How Healthcount spots early signals
Supporting GLP-1 maintenance at scale
If you're an insurer or employer running a GLP-1 pathway and need long-term outcomes oversight, contact us about a pilot.