Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Expansion and Abbreviation
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Of all the things that culturally take the world by storm, rarely is it a drug class. However, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have done just that. These medications come up in the news, advertisements, discussion, and research as an exciting development that can help support weight loss and treat various medical conditions, particularly type 2 diabetes and obesity.
They are not particularly new. The metabolic effects of GLP-1, a hormone that reduces appetite and regulates blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon secretion,1 have been studied since the 1980s.2 Although native GLP-1 was not an optimal drug candidate owing to its short half-life, the long-acting GLP-1 RA liraglutide was developed by researchers at Novo Nordisk and eventually approved by the US Food and Drug Admninistration for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2010 and obesity in 2014.3 Currently, there are a number of approved GLP-1 RA drugs, including tirzepatide, semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. Continuing research is uncovering further potential benefits in treating cancer, psoriasis, and more.4,5
With its ubiquitous appearance in mainstream media, particularly in medical publications, “GLP-1,” “GLP-1RA,” and “GLP-1 RA” have often been used interchangeably. To standardize its use across publications, Chapter 13.11 of the AMA Manual of Style has been updated to recommend using “glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist” as the expanded term and “GLP-1 RA,” including a space between “GLP-1” and “RA,” as the abbreviation (expand at first mention).6 Use of “GLP-1 medication” or similar is acceptable if the mechanism of action as a receptor agonist is not pertinent to the discussion and the meaning is clear.
References
1. Holst JJ. Glucagonlike peptide 1: a newly discovered gastrointestinal hormone. Gastroenterology. 1994;107(6):1848-1855. doi:10.1016/0016-5085(94)90831-1
2. Ghiglione M, Uttenthal LO, George SK, Bloom R. How glucagon-like is glucagon-like peptide-1? Diabetologia. 1984;27(6):599-600. doi:10.1007/BF00276976
3. Knudsen LB. GLP-1 for treating obesity—origin, history, and evolution: 2024 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award. JAMA. 2024;332(20):1697-1698. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.18000
4. Tatum KL, Dahman B, Stevenson A, et al. Survival and recurrence with GLP-1 receptor agonists in breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(5):e2612133. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.12133
5. Sheth S, Merola JF, Weber BN, et al. The National Psoriasis Foundation primer on GLP-1 receptor agonists in psoriasis: a review. JAMA Dermatol. Published online April 29, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2026.0859
6. Clinical, technical, or and other common terms. In: Christiansen S, Iverson C, Flanagin A, et al. AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. 11th ed. Updated May 25, 2026. Accessed May 25, 2026. https://academic.oup.com/amamanualofstyle/book/27941/chapter/207567846#med-9780190246556-chapter-13-div1-48
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