GLP-1 receptor agonist

A drug that activates the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor. These medicines can improve blood-glucose control and reduce appetite, and are used to treat type 2 diabetes or obesity.

GLP-1 receptor: A cell-surface receptor activated by glucagon-like peptide-1 that helps regulate glucose metabolism and appetite. Agonist drugs produce their effects by activating this receptor.
Type 2 diabetes: A chronic metabolic disease in which insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion cause elevated blood glucose. GLP-1 receptor agonists lower glucose and can reduce cardiovascular risk in selected patients.
Insulin therapy: Treatment that supplies insulin to control blood glucose when the body cannot produce enough or use it effectively. Unlike insulin, these drugs stimulate insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner and do not replace insulin when it is absent.
Weight loss: A reduction in body mass resulting from changes in energy intake, expenditure, or health. Reduced appetite and food intake can produce substantial weight loss during treatment.
Glucagon-like peptide-1: A gut-derived hormone released after meals that influences insulin secretion, glucagon release, digestion, and appetite. The drugs imitate this hormone's receptor activity while lasting longer than native GLP-1.
Incretin effect: The greater insulin response to oral glucose than to the same amount of intravenous glucose. GLP-1 receptor agonists reproduce part of this gut-driven response.
Obesity: A chronic disease characterized by excess body fat that can impair health. Some medicines in this class are approved for chronic weight management.
SGLT2 inhibitor: A drug that lowers blood glucose by increasing its excretion in urine through kidney sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition. It is another diabetes drug class with distinct mechanisms and cardiorenal effects.
Hypoglycemia: A blood-glucose level low enough to cause symptoms or require treatment. Risk is usually low alone but rises when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.
Glucose homeostasis: The regulation of blood glucose within a range that supports normal bodily function. The class modifies several processes that jointly maintain glucose balance.

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