GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide or liraglutide) act on a single hormone pathway, while dual agonists (like tirzepatide) act on both the GLP-1 and GIP pathways together. Clinical trials have generally shown dual agonists produce greater average weight loss than single-pathway GLP-1 drugs. In the head-to-head SURMOUNT-5 trial, adults with obesity lost an average of 20.2% of their body weight at 72 weeks on tirzepatide, compared with 13.7% on semaglutide (Aronne et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2025, DOI (external link)). Individual response varies, and both classes share similar side effect profiles (primarily gastrointestinal).
GLP-1 receptor agonist vs. dual agonist
A comparison between single-hormone GLP-1 drugs (e.g. semaglutide) and dual-hormone GLP-1/GIP drugs (e.g. tirzepatide).
Updated Sep 26, 2026
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Related terms
- Hazard ratio — A statistic from clinical trials that compares how often an event happens over time in one group versus another; below 1 means a lower rate in the treated group.
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- Oral semaglutide — Semaglutide taken as a once-daily pill instead of a weekly injection: Rybelsus and its reformulation, Ozempic tablets, for type 2 diabetes, and the Wegovy pill for weight management.
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