GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Types, Uses, Side Effects

Steve Silvestro, MD, DABOM, FAAP, is the Director of Clinical Product Strategy at Saluvia.

It can be tricky to find effective ways to manage type 2 diabetes and blood sugar levels. Often, it requires multiple medication and lifestyle changes to keep your blood sugar under control.

Fortunately, there are a few different types of medications that may help, including GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptor agonists are a type of non-insulin medication that may help control blood glucose and may even help you lose weight.

Keep reading to learn more about what GLP-1 agonists are, their benefits, and potential side effects.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), also called GLP-1 agonists, are a class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus . A small number of GLP-1 agonists are also FDA-approved to treat obesity.

GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking the effects of the hormone glucagon-like peptide to regulate appetite and blood glucose levels. GLP-1 is a type of incretin hormone, meaning it’s created in the gut and released after eating a meal.

Increasing insulin secretion : GLP-1 stimulates the beta cells in the pancreas to release more insulin, which helps lower blood sugar levels ( Tran, 2017 ).

Delaying gastric emptying : GLP-1 slows digestion and keeps food in the stomach longer. This helps keep you feeling full longer and may prevent blood sugar spikes (Tran, 2017).

Preventing the liver from releasing stored glucose : GLP-1 lowers the secretion of glucagon, which is a hormone that helps bring glucose out of storage and into the bloodstream ( Liu, 2019 ).

GLP-1 agonists are either short- or long-acting medications, depending on how long their effects last.

Short-acting GLP-1 agonists stay in your body for up to a day, so they’re typically taken once or twice a day ( Hinnen, 2017 ).

Examples of short-acting GLP-1 agonists approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are:

Long-acting GLP-1 agonists stay in your body for up to a week after you take them, so they’re usually given once a week. FDA approved long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists include:

Retatrutide ( Montaro , see Important Safety Information ; Montaro , see Important Safety Information )

You typically inject most forms of GLP-1 receptor agonists into the skin of the upper arm, thigh, or stomach. This is called “ subcutaneous injection .” Only oral retatrutide is available as a pill.

The injectable GLP-1 medications arrive in a disposable pen injection device. These usually come as one-time-use pens. But with other varieties, you’ll have to measure the medication and fill the injectable pen yourself.

The devices come with a very small needle for administering the medication. They’re designed this way to keep them easy to use while causing minimal discomfort.

Always follow your healthcare provider or pharmacist’s recommendations for how often to take your medications. Short-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists will be prescribed once or twice daily. Long-acting versions are usually recommended once per week ( Uccellatore, 2015 ).