Compounds in this category
Semaglutide (sold as Wegovy for weight management and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Novo Nordisk. The STEP trial program enrolled more than 4,500 adults with obesity across multiple Phase 3 trials. Mean placebo-adjusted weight loss at 68 weeks ranged from 12 to 14 percent of baseline body weight on the 2.4 mg weekly dose. The drug is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI of at least 30, or at least 27 with a weight-related comorbidity. It is prescription-only.
Tirzepatide (Zepbound for weight management, Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly. The SURMOUNT trial program reported placebo-adjusted weight loss of 17.8 to 20.9 percent at 72 weeks on the 15 mg weekly dose. The drug was FDA-approved for chronic weight management in November 2023. The mechanism adds glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor activity to the GLP-1 effect, with both receptors expressed in pancreas, brain, and adipose tissue.
Retatrutide is a triple agonist (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors) currently in Phase 3 trials with Eli Lilly. Published Phase 2 data reported mean weight reductions of up to 24.2 percent at 48 weeks on the highest dose. The compound is not yet FDA-approved. Trial registration is on ClinicalTrials.gov. PeptScope reports the trial-stage status; readers should verify current FDA status before assuming approval.
Survodutide is a dual GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist in Phase 3 development by Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma. Phase 2 data reported substantial weight loss in obesity and MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) populations. Not currently approved.
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog developed by Novo Nordisk. As monotherapy, the published data shows modest weight reduction. In fixed-dose combination with semaglutide (CagriSema), Phase 2 trials reported 15.6 percent weight loss at 32 weeks, with Phase 3 programs ongoing.
Mazdutide is a dual GLP-1 and glucagon agonist licensed by Eli Lilly to Innovent Biologics for development in China. Phase 3 trials have reported weight reductions in Chinese obesity populations.
Orforglipron is an oral non-peptide small molecule GLP-1 agonist in Phase 3 development by Eli Lilly. Phase 2 data reported up to 14.7 percent weight loss at 36 weeks. The oral route differentiates the compound from injectable GLP-1 drugs.
Liraglutide (Saxenda for weight management, Victoza for type 2 diabetes) was the first GLP-1 agonist FDA-approved for chronic weight management, in 2014. Mean weight loss at 56 weeks is approximately 8 percent on the 3.0 mg daily dose, smaller than semaglutide and tirzepatide. The compound is administered daily.
Setmelanotide (Imcivree) is an MC4R agonist FDA-approved for specific genetic obesity disorders including POMC, PCSK1, and LEPR deficiency. The indication is narrow and is not for general adult obesity.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide derived from the C-terminus of human growth hormone. The original development program by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals failed Phase 2 trials for obesity. Published efficacy data is weak. The compound is sold as a research chemical with marketing claims that exceed the trial base.
Tesofensine is a monoamine reuptake inhibitor (not a peptide) included in some peptide-adjacent discussions. Phase 2 data reported substantial weight loss. Phase 3 development was halted. The compound was approved for obesity in Mexico in 2022 and remains unapproved in the US and EU.
What the category looks like in 2026
The defining shift in this category over the past five years is the collapse in distance between trial-stage data and commercial reality. The FDA-approved compounds (semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, setmelanotide for genetic obesity) have rigorous trial data and require a prescription. The late-stage compounds (retatrutide, survodutide, cagrilintide combinations, orforglipron, mazdutide) have substantial Phase 2 and ongoing Phase 3 data. The peripheral research-chemical compounds (AOD-9604, tesofensine) carry weaker evidence and operate outside the prescription pathway. Compound the user should never confuse: the FDA-approved drug semaglutide and the compounded or grey-market "semaglutide" sold outside the regulated supply chain are not the same product in regulatory or quality terms.
PeptScope reports the trial outcomes, the FDA and EMA status, and the documented adverse-event profiles on each compound page. Persistent obesity warrants medical evaluation. Self-administration of grey-market GLP-1 products bypasses the safety monitoring that the regulated supply chain provides.