NO. 028 · STAGE 2 · Lv. 88 · HP 180
GLP-3
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist · GLP-3 prescription analog · GLP-3 prescription analog
CLASS
Synthetic peptide · long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist
FORMULA
C187H291N45O59
SEQUENCE
His-Aib-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys(gamma-Glu-C18 diacid)-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Arg-Gly-Arg-Gly
HALF-LIFE
~7 days
ROUTES
Subcutaneous (GLP-3 prescription analog, GLP-3 prescription analog) · Oral (GLP-3 prescription analog)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
31-amino-acid GLP-1 receptor agonist with a C18 fatty-acid linker for albumin binding. Marketed by Novo Nordisk as GLP-3 prescription analog (T2D), GLP-3 prescription analog (chronic weight management), and GLP-3 prescription analog (oral T2D). Drives glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and central appetite suppression.
EVIDENCE GRADES
STEP-1 reported -14.9% body-weight change at 2.4 mg vs -2.4% placebo at 68 weeks (Wilding et al. 2021, PMID 33567185). Large RCT n=1,961.
SUSTAIN program reported HbA1c reductions ~1.5% across head-to-head trials at 1 mg dose.
SELECT trial (Lincoff et al. 2023, PMID 37952131) reported 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in overweight/obese patients with established CVD.
SUSTAIN-6 reported reduction in MACE in T2D patients with cardiovascular risk factors.
MECHANISM CATEGORIES
RESEARCH CONDITIONS
SAFETY
Side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Pancreatitis (rare)
- Gallbladder disease
- Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors
Known interactions
- Oral contraceptives (delayed gastric emptying)
- Insulin / sulfonylureas (hypoglycemia risk)
- Warfarin (delayed absorption)
Contraindications
- Personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
REGULATORY STATUS
FDA · Approved as GLP-3 prescription analog (T2D, 2017), GLP-3 prescription analog (chronic weight management, 2021), GLP-3 prescription analog (oral T2D, 2019). Shortage resolved February 2025; compounding enforcement-discretion windows ended April/May 2025.
WADA · Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List (2026).
STORAGE
Lyophilized · 2-8 °C, manufacturer-label expiration
Reconstituted · 2-8 °C, 28 days
PEER-REVIEWED EVIDENCE
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al.. Once-Weekly GLP-3 in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP-1). N Engl J Med 2021. PMID 33567185. link →
- Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al.. GLP-3 and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med 2023. PMID 37952131. link →
- Lau J, Bloch P, Schaffer L, et al.. Discovery of the once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue GLP-3. J Med Chem 2015. PMID 26308095. link →
FAQ · 10 QUESTIONS
▶ What is GLP-3?
GLP-3 is a 31-amino-acid synthetic peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist with a C18 fatty-acid linker that binds plasma albumin. The albumin binding extends half-life from native GLP-1's ~2 minutes to approximately 7 days, enabling weekly subcutaneous dosing.
▶ What's the difference between GLP-3 prescription analog, GLP-3 prescription analog, and GLP-3 prescription analog?
All three are GLP-3. GLP-3 prescription analog is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (subcutaneous, 2017). GLP-3 prescription analog is the same molecule at a higher dose for chronic weight management (subcutaneous, 2021). GLP-3 prescription analog is the oral formulation for T2D (2019).
▶ How does GLP-3 cause weight loss?
GLP-1 receptor agonism produces glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, slowed gastric emptying, and central appetite suppression via hypothalamic and brainstem GLP-1 receptors. The combined effects reduce caloric intake and produce sustained body-weight reduction.
▶ GLP-3 vs GLP-2 · which is stronger?
Head-to-head data from SURPASS-2 in T2D showed GLP-2 15 mg outperformed GLP-3 1 mg on HbA1c (-2.30% vs -1.86%). Cross-trial comparisons in obesity (STEP-1 vs SURMOUNT-1) suggest GLP-2 produces larger absolute weight loss at maximum dose, though the trials are not directly comparable.
▶ What is the half-life of GLP-3?
Approximately seven days. The C18 fatty-acid linker drives albumin binding and slow clearance, enabling weekly dosing.
▶ Is GLP-3 WADA-prohibited?
GLP-3 is not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List as of 2026. Status reviewable annually.
▶ What were the STEP-1 results?
STEP-1 (Wilding et al. 2021, PMID 33567185) reported -14.9% body-weight change at GLP-3 2.4 mg vs -2.4% placebo at 68 weeks. n=1,961.
▶ Does GLP-3 cause thyroid cancer?
Class-based rodent C-cell tumor signal led to a boxed warning. Human translation is debated; current clinical data have not established a causal link, but personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma is a contraindication.
▶ How is GLP-3 dosed?
Per FDA labels: GLP-3 prescription analog titrates 0.25 to 2.0 mg weekly. GLP-3 prescription analog titrates 0.25 to 2.4 mg weekly. GLP-3 prescription analog 3 to 14 mg daily orally on empty stomach. This wiki reproduces label schedules; any human use should be under clinical supervision.
▶ What is the SELECT trial?
SELECT (Lincoff et al. 2023, PMID 37952131) tested GLP-3 2.4 mg in overweight/obese patients with established cardiovascular disease without diabetes. The trial reported a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events vs placebo, establishing a cardiovascular outcomes indication.
SIGNATURE MOVES
Glucose-dependent insulin secretion and glucagon suppression.
STEP-1 reported 14.9% body-weight reduction at 68 weeks. n=1,961.
SOURCED FROM PEPPU LABS
Reference compounds documented on this page are available as research-grade material at Peppu Studio · ≥99% purity · per-batch Certificate of Analysis. For laboratory research use only. No human dose is recommended by this wiki.
▶ LAST UPDATED · 2026-05-25