Compounds

How 78 GLP-1 medicines, peptides and supplements work, how long they last, their reported side effects and FDA status. Written from 187 studies and drug labels, each one linked.

GLP-1 and metabolic Hormones Growth hormone axis Investigational peptides Cosmetics and supplements

GLP-1 and metabolic

• SemaglutideA once-weekly GLP-1 shot approved for type 2 diabetes, weight management and lowering heart risk. The daily pill (Wegovy pill, Rybelsus) has its own page.
• Oral semaglutideSemaglutide as a daily pill: Wegovy pill for weight management, Rybelsus and Ozempic tablets for type 2 diabetes. It has to be taken on an empty stomach, then a 30-minute wait before eating.
• TirzepatideA once-weekly shot that acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Approved for type 2 diabetes, weight management and sleep apnea with obesity.
• LiraglutideA once-daily GLP-1 shot for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and weight management (Saxenda). Generic versions are available.
• DulaglutideA once-weekly GLP-1 shot for type 2 diabetes that also lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• ExenatideThe first GLP-1 medicine, based on a hormone found in Gila monster saliva. Comes as a twice-daily shot and a weekly version.
• LixisenatideA short-acting, once-daily GLP-1 shot for type 2 diabetes. Mostly used today in a combo pen with insulin glargine (Soliqua).
• RetatrutideAn experimental once-weekly shot that acts on three hormone receptors: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon. In phase 3 trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• CagrilintideAn experimental long-acting amylin analog taken weekly, studied alone and paired with semaglutide (CagriSema).
• CagriSemaA weekly combo shot of cagrilintide (amylin) and semaglutide (GLP-1). In phase 3 trials, adults with obesity lost about 20% of body weight on average.
• SurvodutideAn experimental weekly GLP-1 and glucagon dual agonist from Boehringer Ingelheim, studied for obesity and fatty liver disease (MASH).
• MazdutideA weekly GLP-1 and glucagon dual agonist developed by Innovent with Eli Lilly. Approved in China in 2025 for weight management.
• OrforglipronA once-daily GLP-1 pill from Eli Lilly, sold as Foundayo for weight management. It's a small molecule, not a peptide, so you can take it with or without food.
• AmycretinAn experimental single molecule from Novo Nordisk that acts on both GLP-1 and amylin receptors, tested as a weekly shot and a daily pill.
• Maridebart CafraglutideAn experimental once-monthly shot from Amgen that switches on GLP-1 and blocks the GIP receptor.
• PetrelintideAn experimental long-acting human amylin analog from Zealand Pharma and Roche, taken weekly.
• EloralintideAn experimental weekly amylin receptor agonist from Eli Lilly. A phase 2 trial showed up to about 20% weight loss at 48 weeks.
• PemvidutideAn experimental weekly GLP-1 and glucagon dual agonist from Altimmune, mainly studied for fatty liver disease (MASH).
• PramlintideAn FDA-approved amylin analog taken at mealtimes with insulin in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• SetmelanotideAn FDA-approved daily shot for rare genetic forms of obesity caused by problems in the brain's MC4R hunger pathway.
• BimagrumabAn experimental antibody that blocks activin type II receptors, studied for losing fat while keeping or building muscle.
• AOD-9604A modified piece of growth hormone designed to break down fat. It reached human obesity trials but didn't beat placebo.
• HGH Fragment 176-191A short piece from the end of growth hormone, sold for fat loss. The evidence is mostly from animal studies of closely related fragments.
• 5-Amino-1MQA small molecule that blocks the enzyme NNMT. It reduced fat mass in obese mice; no human trials have been published.
• MOTS-cA small peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA. In mice it improved insulin sensitivity and limited weight gain on a high-fat diet; it hasn't been tested as a treatment in people.
• SLU-PP-332An experimental small molecule that switches on estrogen-related receptors in muscle. Tested only in mice; there are no human studies.
• AdipotideA peptide designed to kill the blood vessels feeding fat tissue. It caused weight loss in obese mice and monkeys but also affected the kidneys.

Hormones

• HCGA pregnancy hormone that acts like LH. Prescribed for fertility, and used in men to keep testosterone and sperm production going.
• hMG (Menotropins)A purified mix of FSH and LH. Used in IVF and, in men, alongside HCG to start sperm production when the pituitary doesn't.
• Kisspeptin-10A brain hormone at the top of the reproductive chain. In small human studies it triggers LH and testosterone release.
• GonadorelinA lab-made copy of GnRH, the brain hormone that triggers LH and FSH. In medicine it's given in pulses by a small pump or as a one-time test.
• TriptorelinA GnRH agonist approved for prostate cancer and early puberty, and also used in IVF.
• OxytocinThe hormone behind labor contractions and breastfeeding. FDA-approved by IV for labor; nasal sprays are studied for social behavior and appetite.
• TeriparatideAn FDA-approved daily shot made from part of parathyroid hormone that builds new bone in people with osteoporosis.
• PT-141 (Bremelanotide)An FDA-approved as-needed shot for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. It works on brain melanocortin receptors, not blood flow.
• Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)A lab-made form of alpha-MSH that darkens skin. FDA-approved as an implant to reduce sun-triggered pain in a rare light-sensitivity disorder.

Growth hormone axis

• HGH (Somatropin)Lab-made human growth hormone. FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency in children and adults and a few other conditions.
• TesamorelinAn FDA-approved GHRH analog that reduces deep belly (visceral) fat in people with HIV-related lipodystrophy.
• SermorelinThe first 29 amino acids of natural GHRH. It was once FDA-approved for children with growth hormone deficiency; today it's mostly compounded.
• IpamorelinA growth hormone releasing peptide that triggers a growth hormone pulse with little effect on cortisol or prolactin, at least in animal studies.
• CJC-1295A long-acting form of GHRH that binds to albumin in the blood, so one shot raises growth hormone and IGF-1 for days.
• Mod GRF 1-29Sermorelin with four amino-acid swaps that make it last longer. Often sold as "CJC-1295 without DAC." Very little published research.
• GHRP-2A synthetic ghrelin-like peptide that strongly triggers growth hormone release. Used in Japan as a diagnostic test.
• GHRP-6One of the first growth hormone releasing peptides. It boosts hunger strongly along with growth hormone.
• HexarelinA potent growth hormone releasing peptide that also binds a heart receptor (CD36). Its growth hormone effect fades with steady use.
• MK-677 (Ibutamoren)A pill (not a peptide) that mimics ghrelin to raise growth hormone and IGF-1. Studied in older adults but never approved.
• Mecasermin (IGF-1)Lab-made IGF-1, FDA-approved for children with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency who don't respond to growth hormone.
• IGF-1 LR3A lab-made, longer-acting version of IGF-1 used mostly to grow cells in labs. Human research on injecting it is essentially absent.
• MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)A form of IGF-1 made by muscle after stress or injury. Studied in cells and animals; synthetic versions sold online aren't the same as the natural protein.
• Follistatin 344A natural protein that blocks myostatin, a brake on muscle growth. Human work used gene therapy in muscular dystrophy, not injected peptide.

Investigational peptides

• BPC-157A 15-amino-acid peptide based on a protein in stomach juice. Studied mostly in rats for healing tendons, gut and other tissues; human data is very thin.
• TB-500A synthetic version of, or fragment from, thymosin beta-4, a natural protein involved in cell movement and wound repair.
• ARA-290 (Cibinetide)A small peptide based on EPO that calms inflammation. Tested for nerve pain without EPO's blood-thickening effect.
• SemaxA nasal peptide based on a piece of ACTH, approved in Russia for stroke recovery and cognitive problems. Little research outside Russia.
• SelankA nasal peptide based on tuftsin, approved in Russia for anxiety. Research outside Russia is scarce.
• CerebrolysinA mix of small peptides from pig brain, given by IV for stroke and brain injury in parts of Europe and Asia. Trial results are mixed.
• DihexaAn experimental compound derived from angiotensin IV that improved memory in rats and mice. No human trials.
• PinealonA three-amino-acid peptide from Russian "bioregulator" research, studied for protecting brain cells under stress.
• EpitalonA four-amino-acid peptide from Russian research on pineal gland extracts. Linked to telomerase activity and longer lifespan in rodents.
• SS-31 (Elamipretide)A mitochondria-targeting peptide that protects a key membrane fat, cardiolipin. Granted accelerated FDA approval for Barth syndrome in 2025.
• HumaninA tiny peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA that protected brain cells in early Alzheimer's research. Studied only in cells and animals.
• FOXO4-DRIA designed peptide that cleared aged ("senescent") cells in mice. It has never been tested in people.
• Thymosin Alpha-1A natural thymus peptide that strengthens T-cell responses. Approved in dozens of countries (not the US) for hepatitis B and immune support.
• KPVThe last three amino acids of alpha-MSH. It calmed gut inflammation in mouse colitis models; no human trials.
• LL-37The only human cathelicidin, a natural germ-killing peptide. Tested on the skin for hard-to-heal leg ulcers with mixed results.
• VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)A natural gut and brain peptide that relaxes blood vessels and calms inflammation. Tested by IV for COVID lung failure without clear benefit.
• ThymalinA calf-thymus peptide extract used in Russia since the 1980s to support immune function. Mostly studied by one research group.
• LarazotideAn oral peptide designed to tighten the gut lining in celiac disease. Its phase 3 trial was stopped in 2022 for lack of effect.
• DSIPA peptide first found in rabbits that seemed to promote deep sleep. Human results have been inconsistent, and its natural role is still unclear.
• Melanotan IIUnapproved, and linked to new or changing moles and reported melanoma cases. Sold online as a tanning peptide; regulators in several countries warn against it.

Cosmetics and supplements

• NAD+A coenzyme every cell uses to make energy. Levels fall with age; IV and injected NAD+ are popular, but human trials are small.
• GHK-CuA natural copper-binding peptide in blood and skin. Used in skin creams for firmness and wound healing; small human studies on the skin.
• AHK-CuA copper peptide related to GHK-Cu, used in hair-growth serums. Evidence comes from lab studies of human hair follicles.
• ArgirelineA cosmetic cream peptide marketed as "topical Botox." Small studies suggest it softens expression lines a little.
• MatrixylA cosmetic peptide used in anti-aging creams to support collagen. Small trials show modest wrinkle improvement.
• Vitamin B12An essential vitamin for nerves and red blood cells. Shots treat deficiency; extra B12 hasn't been shown to boost energy or weight loss when levels are normal.
• MIC (Lipotropic Injection)A clinic shot mixing methionine, inositol and choline (often with B12), sold to support fat metabolism. No good trials show it boosts weight loss.
• GlutathioneThe body's main built-in antioxidant. IV and injected forms are popular for skin lightening and "detox," but human evidence is small.