Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
Type 1 diabetes
This gut hormone increases insulin secretion in response to food intake.
GLP-1
This is how often Ozempic is typically injected due to its long half-life.
Once per week?
This animal’s venom led to the discovery of exendin-4, which inspired GLP-1 drugs.
Gila monster
This is the most common side effect of GLP-1 drugs due to delayed gastric emptying.
Nausea
This type of diabetes accounts for 90–95% of cases.
Type 2 diabetes
One major effect of GLP-1 agonists that contributes to weight loss is slowing this digestive process.
Gastric emptying
Ozempic is administered using this route of drug delivery.
Subcutaneous injection
Ozempic was developed by this Danish pharmaceutical company known for its focus on diabetes care.
Novo Nordisk
Because Ozempic slows gastric emptying, it can interfere with the absorption of these types of medications.
Oral medications (or drugs requiring predictable absorption)
This disease is strongly linked to lifestyle factors like obesity and inactivity.
Type 2 diabetes
GLP-1 lowers blood glucose partly by suppressing the secretion of this hormone that normally raises blood sugar.
Glucagon
This blood protein binds to semaglutide’s fatty acid chain, extending its half-life.
Albumin
This was the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in 2005.
Exenatide
This pharmacokinetic property of semaglutide makes it difficult to quickly stop the drug if side effects occur.
Long half-life
This acute, life-threatening complication is more commonly associated with Type 1 diabetes and involves ketone buildup and metabolic acidosis.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Because GLP-1 slows gastric emptying and increases satiety, it primarily reduces blood glucose after this type of metabolic event.
A meal (postprandial glucose rise)
This related semaglutide brand is specifically approved for chronic weight management rather than diabetes treatment.
Wegovy
A key structural modification in semaglutide is the addition of this type of molecular chain, which increases protein binding and prolongs activity.
Fatty acid (lipid) side chain
Ozempic’s long half-life means once administered, its effects cannot be quickly reversed or adjusted, creating challenges with this aspect of treatment.
Dose flexibility (or rapid dose adjustment)
These specific genetic markers, especially DR3 and DR4, are the strongest genetic risk factors for Type 1 diabetes.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes
GLP-1 receptor activation increases this intracellular signaling molecule through G-protein activation to enhance insulin secretion.
cAMP
This enzyme normally breaks down natural GLP-1 quickly, and semaglutide was modified to resist it.
DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4)
These drugs mimic multiple hormones, such as GLP-1 and GIP, to produce greater weight loss and glucose control.
Dual agonists
This type of next-generation GLP-1 drug selectively activates cAMP signaling while reducing receptor internalization and side effects.
Biased GLP-1 receptor agonist