PeptideGrids
Independent · Evidence-Graded · YMYL-Compliant

The evidence-based source of truth for peptides and GLP-1s

Independent, evidence-graded source of truth for peptides and GLP-1s.

59
Evidence-graded compounds
Graded A to D by clinical evidence level
96
FDA-registered 503B facilities
Outsourcing facilities with active registrations
32,227
Pharmacies & clinics tracked
Compounding pharmacies, endocrinology, and obesity medicine

Our Methodology

How evidence grades work

Every compound is graded on clinical evidence quality, not popularity, not marketing spend. Grades are reviewed when new data publishes.

A

Strong Evidence

Multiple high-quality RCTs or regulatory approval. Efficacy and safety well-characterized in humans at studied doses.

e.g. Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), FDA-approved for T2D and obesity

B

Moderate Evidence

Some RCT data or consistent observational findings. Mechanistically plausible; gaps remain in dosing or long-term safety.

e.g. Tirzepatide post-approval expansion studies

C

Limited Evidence

Pilot studies, small trials, or case series only. Signals are preliminary; replication needed before confident use.

e.g. AOD-9604, early metabolic studies, no completed RCTs

D

Preclinical Only

Evidence limited to animal models or in-vitro data. No adequate human studies. Regulatory status often unclear or restricted.

e.g. BPC-157, rodent data only; FDA compounding-restricted

NE

Not Evaluated

Insufficient peer-reviewed data to grade. Compound is tracked but no grade can be assigned with current literature.

e.g. Novel analogs recently entered circulation

Compound Database

Featured compound profiles

Full profiles include mechanism, evidence summary, regulatory status, risk flags, and primary sources.

A
Semaglutide
Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
FDA ApprovedGLP-1 Receptor Agonist
TL;DR

Semaglutide has the broadest and most robust human evidence base among GLP-1 receptor agonists currently approved for weight management and type 2 diabetes. The STEP clinical trial program, comprising multiple large phase 3 randomized controlled trials, demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss in adults with obesity or overweight, with or without type 2 diabetes. The SELECT trial, a large cardiovascular outcomes trial in over 17,000 adults with preexisting cardiovascular disease and obesity but without diabetes, showed a significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo. Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is approved for type 2 diabetes, and a 25 mg oral formulation of Wegovy received FDA approval in December 2025 as the first oral GLP-1 for chronic weight management. Evidence is robust across multiple indications but weight regain after discontinuation is well documented, and very long-term safety data remain limited.

Key Takeaways

  • Grade A: independently graded on clinical evidence quality, not popularity.
  • FDA Approved: Approved as Ozempic (subcutaneous injection, type 2 diabetes), Wegovy (subcutaneous injection 2.4 mg and oral 25 mg tablet, chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction in obesity), and Rybelsus (oral tablet, type 2 diabetes).
  • Compounding: FDA-approved; brand and generic forms available. Mass compounding from bulk API by 503A and 503B facilities was permitted during a declared shortage; the semaglutide shortage was resolved by FDA in February 2025 and enforcement grace periods for compounders ended by May 2025. As of June 2026, mass compounding of semaglutide injection is prohibited; FDA proposed in April 2026 to formally exclude semaglutide from the 503B Bulks List. Narrow 503A exceptions may apply for documented patient-specific clinical need.
Safety & Risks

Boxed warning: semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents at clinically relevant exposures; human relevance is unknown but it is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Patients should report any neck mass, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath promptly. Acute pancreatitis, including fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, has been reported; discontinue immediately if suspected and do not restart if confirmed. Gallbladder disease, including cholelithiasis and cholecystitis, occurs at a higher rate in treated patients than placebo and may require cholecystectomy. Acute kidney injury can occur secondary to dehydration from gastrointestinal side effects, particularly during dose escalation. Mean increases in resting heart rate of 1 to 4 beats per minute have been observed; sustained clinically relevant increases warrant discontinuation. The most common adverse reactions are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.

Primary Sources

PMID 34170647
Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. (2021) rct
PMID 33667417
Semaglutide 2·4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2): a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. (2021) rct
PMID 36578889
Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Obesity Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2022) review
PMID 33755728
Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. (2021) rct
PMID 38976257
Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity. (2024) observational
PMID 33567185
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. (2021) rct
+ 19 more primary sources on the full profile.
A
Tirzepatide
Mounjaro · Zepbound

Tirzepatide is approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and chronic weight management (Zepbound), supported by an extensive phase 3 trial program. The SURPASS series of trials in type 2 diabetes demonstrated substantial reductions in HbA1c and body weight, with tirzepatide outperforming comparator GLP-1 agents in several head-to-head studies. The SURMOUNT trials in obesity without diabetes showed large and sustained weight loss, with tirzepatide demonstrating numerically greater average weight reduction than semaglutide in direct comparative analyses. The SURPASS-CVOT trial, comparing tirzepatide to dulaglutide in over 13,000 patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease over a median of approximately four years, showed tirzepatide was non-inferior to dulaglutide for major adverse cardiovascular events; dedicated superiority versus placebo has not been established as of mid-2026. Evidence is grade A given multiple large RCTs and two FDA approvals, though cardiovascular outcomes superiority data remain pending.

FDA ApprovedGLP-1 Receptor Agonist
View full profile

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PeptideGrids has no financial relationship with any compounding pharmacy, peptide vendor, or telehealth provider. Evidence grades are assigned by reviewing the primary literature; full methodology is published.

Read our methodology