The true GLP-1 receptor agonists are semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), dulaglutide (Trulicity), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) and exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon). Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist — usually grouped with them. Drugs people often think are GLP-1s but aren't include Jardiance (an SGLT2 inhibitor), metformin (a biguanide) and phentermine (a stimulant).
Key takeaways
- GLP-1s = semaglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide; tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1.
- Jardiance is not a GLP-1 — it's an SGLT2 inhibitor.
- Metformin and phentermine are not GLP-1s either.
- The brand name tells you marketing; the molecule tells you the class.
Which drugs are GLP-1s?
A GLP-1 receptor agonist is a drug that mimics the gut hormone GLP-1 to lower appetite and blood sugar. The approved ones in the U.S. come down to a handful of molecules, each sold under one or more brand names:
- Semaglutide — Ozempic and Rybelsus (diabetes), Wegovy (weight management).
- Dulaglutide — Trulicity (diabetes).
- Liraglutide — Victoza (diabetes), Saxenda (weight management).
- Exenatide — Byetta and Bydureon (older diabetes options, less used now).
If a drug contains one of those molecules, it's a GLP-1 — regardless of which brand name is on the pen. Our full medications list lays every brand out by molecule.
Tirzepatide: a GLP-1 with a twist
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro for diabetes, Zepbound for weight management) is the one that causes the most confusion. It does activate the GLP-1 receptor, but it also activates a second one called GIP. That makes it a dual agonist, not a pure GLP-1. In everyday conversation it's grouped with the GLP-1s, and that's fine — just know that technically it's a step beyond them, which is part of why it tends to produce the largest weight-loss numbers.
Common drugs that are NOT GLP-1s
Plenty of well-known diabetes and weight-loss drugs get lumped in with GLP-1s but belong to entirely different classes:
- Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Farxiga (dapagliflozin) — SGLT2 inhibitors. They lower blood sugar through the kidneys, not the GLP-1 pathway.
- Metformin — a biguanide, the usual first-line diabetes pill.
- Phentermine — a stimulant appetite suppressant, not a hormone mimic.
- Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) — a combination weight-loss pill that works on the brain's reward and appetite signals.
Quick sort: is it a GLP-1?
| Drug (brand) | Is it a GLP-1? | What it actually is |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic / Wegovy / Rybelsus | Yes | Semaglutide (GLP-1) |
| Trulicity | Yes | Dulaglutide (GLP-1) |
| Victoza / Saxenda | Yes | Liraglutide (GLP-1) |
| Mounjaro / Zepbound | Dual | Tirzepatide (GIP + GLP-1) |
| Jardiance / Farxiga | No | SGLT2 inhibitor |
| Metformin | No | Biguanide |
| Phentermine | No | Stimulant appetite suppressant |
What about "GLP-2" and "GLP-3"?
Two quick clarifications you'll see searched. GLP-2 is a real but different gut hormone; the GLP-2 drug teduglutide treats short bowel syndrome, not weight. "GLP-3" is not an official drug class — people usually mean the newer triple agonists like retatrutide (still investigational), which hit three receptors at once. For more on the science, see what GLP-1 actually is.
Why it matters which class a drug is
This isn't pedantry — the class sets your expectations. GLP-1 receptor agonists and tirzepatide meaningfully cut appetite and can drive substantial weight loss; they're the drugs behind the headlines. SGLT2 inhibitors such as Jardiance and Farxiga lower blood sugar and protect the heart and kidneys, but they typically cause only minor weight change and aren't weight-loss drugs. Metformin is a mild, inexpensive first-line diabetes pill with modest effects on weight. Stimulant appetite suppressants like phentermine work on a different pathway and are usually short-term.
The class also drives cost and coverage: insurers treat these groups differently, and only specific GLP-1s (plus tirzepatide) are FDA-approved for weight management. So when someone says they're "on a GLP-1," the molecule — not the brand — tells you what to expect for appetite, weight, side effects and price. Knowing the class also helps you cut through marketing: some supplements and ads imply a product is "like a GLP-1" or a "natural GLP-1" when it shares none of the biology — see whether natural GLP-1 boosters actually work.
How to check any drug yourself
You don't need to memorise this. To check whether any medication is a GLP-1, find the generic (molecule) name on the label or package insert and match it: semaglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide and exenatide are GLP-1s; tirzepatide is the dual GIP/GLP-1; empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, metformin and phentermine are not. Your pharmacist can confirm a drug's class in seconds, and the FDA label states the "drug class" near the top. Whenever a headline or ad just says "GLP-1," treat that as your cue to look up the actual molecule and see what's really being described.
Why the mix-up is so common
Three things blur the lines. First, several classes treat the same conditions — GLP-1s, SGLT2 inhibitors and metformin are all used for type 2 diabetes, so they get talked about together. Second, "GLP-1" has become household shorthand for "the new weight-loss shots," which sweeps in drugs that don't belong. Third, one molecule wears many brand names (semaglutide is Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), so people reasonably assume the reverse — that any similar-sounding brand must be the same class. None of that is your fault; it's genuinely confusing. The fix is the same every time: look past the brand to the generic name, and when in doubt, ask the pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jardiance a GLP-1?
No. Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor — a different class that lowers blood sugar via the kidneys. It is not a GLP-1.
Is Trulicity a GLP-1?
Yes. Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist, approved for type 2 diabetes.
Is metformin a GLP-1?
No. Metformin is a biguanide — the common first-line diabetes pill — not a GLP-1.
Is Mounjaro a GLP-1?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist — it has GLP-1 activity plus a second target (GIP), so it's usually grouped with GLP-1s.
Is Wegovy a GLP-1?
Yes. Wegovy is semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight management.
Sources & further reading
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration — prescribing information for the products named.
- National Library of Medicine / drug class references (GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, biguanides).