Characteristics of Injectable Non-Insulin Antihyperglycemic Medications
Generic Name | Comments |
|---|---|
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists | Low risk of hypoglycemia; may promote modest weight loss Increased risk of pancreatitis Thyroid C-cell tumors (medullary carcinoma) noted in rodents To minimize nausea and vomiting, start at the lowest dose and titrate according to manufacturer's recommendations May improve hepatic fat content and fibrosis, MASLD, and MASH |
Albiglutide | — |
May decrease major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease | |
— | |
— | |
May decrease major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death in patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease | |
— | |
Semaglutide is associated with increased progression of diabetic retinopathy May decrease major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death (oral semaglutide) in patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease | |
Amylin analog | |
For use in combination with insulin, but injected using a separate syringe May need to adjust insulin dose to avoid hypoglycemia Nausea common but declining with time May promote modest weight loss | |
Dual incretin agonists (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist | |
Promotes weight loss Causes GI symptoms, including decreased appetite, diarrhea , nausea, abdominal pain and increased amylase and lipase To minimize symptoms start at lowest dose and titrate according to manufacturers recommendations Thyroid C cell tumors noted in rodents Cases of pancreatitis have been reported | |
* Also available in an oral form. See table Characteristics of Oral Antihyperglycemics for information. | |
GI = gastrointestinal; MASLD = metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease; MASH = metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. | |