Long-Acting GLP-1 RAs Exenatide (Bydureon) In 1987, scientists discovered that GLP-1 promotes insulin secretion, and five years later, an entero-insulin analogue, Exendin-4, which is 53% homologous to GLP-1, was isolated from the saliva of the Mexican giant lizard, later known as exenatide, which has GLP-1 receptor agonist activity and a half-life of 2.4 hours
Overall, the elimination half-life is approximately 13 hours , making it a suitable formulation for once-daily injection
Another 2025 survey published in JAMA Health Forum noted that, should Medicare pay for the drugs, it could avoid spending a hypothetical $18.2 billion on obesity-related health expenditures over 10 years while dishing out $65.9 billion annually on the GLP-1s by year 10, thereby negating any savings
Beyond the brain, these medications perform a vital dual role in your metabolic system
This suggests that this hormone can aid in glycemic control even in the absence of endogenous insulin secretion
