Are GLP-1 drugs peptides?

Semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide are peptides, chains of amino acids built to resist the rapid breakdown that limits the natural GLP-1 hormone to minutes of activity. Tirzepatide and retatrutide are also peptide based, engineered to hit additional receptors beyond GLP-1 alone. The entire class descends from exenatide, itself derived from a peptide found in Gila monster venom.

Educational use only. This database summarizes published research and is not medical advice. Where a dose appears it is a record of what a trial or clinic ran, or what people describe doing, with its source attached. Nothing here is a recommendation for personal use.

Part of glp-1 and metabolic peptides. Semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide, and the rest of the incretin and glucagon receptor family.