glp1InjectablePrescription only (US)Withdrawn from the market by the manufacturer in 2018 for commercial, not safety, reasons; no longer sold in the US or EU
AlbiglutideBenefits, Dosage & Interactions
Also known as: Tanzeum
Albiglutide, marketed under the brand name Tanzeum, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a long-acting injectable medication designed to help improve blood sugar control in adults. Research on Albiglutide focuses on blood sugar control and weight loss.
Researched by DoseRoutine R&D TeamReviewed for accuracy by Nicholas Alexander, RSELast updated
Evidence: Strong — 1 human randomized trial and regulatory approval on file.
Evidence strengthStrong · 4/4
PreclinicalStrong human evidence
1 human randomized trial and regulatory approval on file.
Plasma half-life
4–7 days
Default unit
mg
What published protocols report
Ranges documented in the literature, shown for reference. DoseRoutine does not recommend an amount — your prescriber or the product label sets the dose.
- Reported amounts
- The Harmony Outcomes cardiovascular-outcome trial used subcutaneous albiglutide with dose escalation from 30 mg to 50 mg once weekly[1]
- Route studied
- Subcutaneous injection[1]
- Frequency
- Once weekly[1]
- Cycle length
- Median follow-up of 1.6 years in the Harmony Outcomes trial[1]
Reported for Albiglutide in the cited sources. Published ranges are not dosing advice.
References & evidence
Documents the Albiglutide entry is written from. Each number matches an inline marker above.
- [1]Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trialHernandez AF, Green JB, Janmohamed S, et al. · Lancet · 2018 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 30291013
- [2]Comparative effects of drugs for adults with overweight or obesity: systematic review and network meta-analysisNong K, Shi Q, Xie X, et al. · BMJ · 2026 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 42419792
How to track Albiglutide doses
Albiglutide is tracked as a protocol rather than a single reminder: a vial with a concentration, a schedule that may be titrated or cycled, and a rotation of injection sites. Here is the record that keeps all three consistent.
- 1
Record the vial and concentration
Log the vial strength and the volume of bacteriostatic water you added so Albiglutide is stored as a concentration rather than a guess. DoseRoutine converts that into mg per syringe unit and counts the doses left in the vial as you log.
- 2
Set the schedule, not just a reminder
Enter the dose in mg and the frequency. Cycled protocols get a start and end date so the history stays accurate when Albiglutide comes out of the routine.
- 3
Rotate and log the injection site
Pick the site at the moment you log the dose. The site map shows what you used last and how recently, which is the part that drifts fastest when two compounds run on different frequencies.
- 4
Log adherence, not intentions
Mark each dose taken, skipped or delayed as it happens. Weeks of honest logs are what make an adherence rate or a trend line meaningful; retrospective guessing is not.
- 5
Review against outcomes
With a reported half-life around 96 h, effects and timing shifts show up over days rather than instantly. Review Albiglutide alongside your logged metrics and any relevant blood work every few weeks before changing the dose.
What to log each time
- Dose in mg and the syringe units it worked out to
- Vial: reconstitution date, concentration, doses remaining
- Injection site and time
- Any side effects in the 24 h after the dose
References & Evidence
Sources on this page that document Albiglutide dosing, timing and safety.
- [1]National Center for Biotechnology Information View source
Educational information only — not medical advice. Dose ranges vary by person, indication and prescriber.
What is Albiglutide studied for?
What is Albiglutide?Sources for this section: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Albiglutide, marketed under the brand name Tanzeum, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a long-acting injectable medication designed to help improve blood sugar control in adults. Albiglutide is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) resistant analog of human GLP-1, meaning it is modified to last longer in the body compared to natural GLP-1. It is administered once weekly. (FDA label, DrugBank)
What does the research say about Albiglutide?
Tap a section to expand.
Albiglutide functions as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimicking the actions of the naturally occurring incretin hormone, GLP-1. Upon administration, albiglutide binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors located in various tissues, including the pancreatic beta cells. This activation leads to several glucose-dependent effects:
* **Increased Insulin Secretion:** In the presence of elevated blood glucose levels, albiglutide stimulates the beta cells to release more insulin. This action is glucose-dependent, meaning it has a reduced effect when blood sugar levels are low, which helps mitigate the risk of hypoglycemia. (DrugBank, EMA SmPC)
* **Decreased Glucagon Secretion:** Albiglutide suppresses the release of glucagon from pancreatic alpha cells. Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar by signaling the liver to release stored glucose. By reducing glucagon levels, albiglutide helps to lower hepatic glucose production. (PubChem)
* **Delayed Gastric Emptying:** It slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach. This contributes to a feeling of fullness and can help reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes by moderating glucose absorption into the bloodstream. (FDA label)
These combined actions result in improved glycemic control by lowering both fasting and post-meal blood glucose concentrations in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Because it is resistant to DPP-4 enzymatic degradation, albiglutide has an extended half-life, allowing for once-weekly dosing. (DrugBank)
Source for this section: Sources for How does Albiglutide work?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
The primary benefit of albiglutide is its ability to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical studies have shown that albiglutide significantly lowers glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, which is a key marker of long-term blood sugar control. (FDA label)
Beyond its effects on blood glucose, albiglutide may offer additional benefits:
* **Weight management:** Some individuals taking albiglutide may experience modest weight loss. This effect is thought to be related to its impact on satiety and gastric emptying. (Cochrane Review)
* **Cardiovascular considerations:** While not approved specifically for cardiovascular risk reduction, GLP-1 receptor agonists as a class have demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in some populations with type 2 diabetes (Examine.com). The specific cardiovascular outcomes for albiglutide should be considered based on individual patient data and discussions with a healthcare provider. (FDA label)
These benefits contribute to a comprehensive approach in managing type 2 diabetes and its associated health risks.
The efficacy and safety of albiglutide have been investigated in a series of phase 3 clinical trials, collectively known as the HARMONY program. These trials involved thousands of adult participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (FDA label)
* **Glycemic Control:** Studies (e.g., HARMONY 3 and HARMONY 5, as cited in regulatory documents) consistently demonstrated that albiglutide monotherapy and combination therapy with other antidiabetic agents (such as metformin, sulfonylureas, or thiazolidinediones) led to significant reductions in HbA1c from baseline. The observed reductions were dose-dependent and statistically significant compared to placebo or some active comparators. (FDA label)
* **Weight Effects:** Modest decreases in body weight were observed in participants treated with albiglutide across several HARMONY trials. This effect was generally sustained over the study periods. (EMA SmPC)
* **Cardiovascular Safety:** A dedicated cardiovascular outcomes trial, HARMONY Outcomes, evaluated the cardiovascular safety of albiglutide. The trial found that albiglutide did not increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors, meeting the non-inferiority criterion required by regulatory agencies. (FDA label)
Comparative studies with other GLP-1 receptor agonists indicated similar efficacy in HbA1c reduction and weight loss, though direct head-to-head comparisons are complex due to differences in trial design and patient populations. (Cochrane Review)
Like all medications, albiglutide can cause side effects. The most commonly reported side effects, typically mild to moderate in intensity, primarily involve the gastrointestinal system due to its mechanism of action. (FDA label)
Common side effects may include:
* Nausea
* Diarrhea
* Vomiting
* Constipation
* Injection site reactions (e.g., redness, itching, rash) (PubChem)
Less common but more serious side effects can also occur, and individuals should be aware of these potential risks:
* **Pancreatitis:** There have been post-marketing reports of acute pancreatitis in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, including albiglutide. Symptoms can include severe, persistent abdominal pain, with or without vomiting. (FDA label)
* **Hypoglycemia:** The risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) increases when albiglutide is used in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin. (NIH ODS)
* **Allergic reactions:** Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported. Signs may include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. (FDA label)
* **Renal impairment:** Patients with pre-existing renal impairment may experience worsening renal function. (EMA SmPC)
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Before starting albiglutide, individuals should discuss their full medical history and current medications with a healthcare provider. Several warnings and precautions are associated with its use:
* **Risk of Pancreatitis:** Patients should be informed about the characteristic symptoms of acute pancreatitis and instructed to discontinue albiglutide and seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe, persistent abdominal pain. (FDA label)
* **Gastroparesis:** Because albiglutide slows gastric emptying, it should be used with caution in patients with severe gastrointestinal disease, such as gastroparesis, as these conditions could be worsened. (PubChem)
* **Hypoglycemia Risk:** Concurrent use of albiglutide with insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) or insulin may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. A reduction in the dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin may be necessary. (NIH ODS)
* **Renal Impairment:** There have been postmarketing reports of acute renal failure and worsening of chronic renal failure, which may sometimes require hemodialysis, in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Some of these events were reported in patients without known underlying renal disease. Most reported events occurred in patients experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea leading to volume depletion. Caution should be exercised when initiating or escalating doses in patients with renal impairment. (FDA label)
* **Thyroid C-cell Tumors:** In preclinical studies, GLP-1 receptor agonists have caused dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors (adenomas and carcinomas) at clinically relevant exposures in rodents. It is not known whether albiglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans. Albiglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). (FDA label, Mayo Clinic)
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Albiglutide should not be used in certain situations due to potential risks. Contradictions include:
* **Personal or Family History of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC):** Albiglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC. As discussed in warnings, preclinical studies have shown a potential link between GLP-1 receptor agonists and thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. (FDA label)
* **Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2):** Patients with MEN 2 are also contraindicated for albiglutide use due to their increased risk of MTC. (FDA label)
* **Known Hypersensitivity:** Individuals with a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to albiglutide or any of its excipients should not use this medication. Symptoms of hypersensitivity may include angioedema or anaphylaxis. (EMA SmPC)
* **Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus:** Albiglutide is not indicated for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, as it is not a substitute for insulin. (NIH ODS)
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
While albiglutide can be used in combination with other medications for type 2 diabetes, certain drug interactions or combinations require careful consideration and monitoring:
* **Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues (e.g., Sulfonylureas):** When albiglutide is co-administered with an insulin secretagogue (like glyburide, glipizide) or insulin, the risk of hypoglycemia is increased. A reduction in the dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin may be required to minimize this risk. (FDA label)
* **Orally Administered Medications:** Due to albiglutide's effect on delaying gastric emptying, it has the potential to influence the absorption rate of concomitantly administered oral medications. Therefore, caution should be exercised when oral medications that require rapid gastrointestinal absorption or have a narrow therapeutic index are co-administered with albiglutide. Monitoring for altered drug effects may be necessary. (DrugBank, FDA label)
* **Warfarin:** Although specific clinical studies with albiglutide and warfarin are limited, GLP-1 receptor agonists as a class have been noted to potentially alter the absorption of oral anticoagulants. Close monitoring of International Normalized Ratio (INR) is advisable when initiating or discontinuing albiglutide in patients on warfarin. (PubChem)
Individuals should always inform their healthcare provider about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications they are taking to avoid potential interactions.
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Albiglutide is an injectable medication administered once weekly, any time of day, without regard to meals. It is a subcutaneous injection, usually given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The specific day of the week for administration can be changed if needed, as long as the last dose was given at least 4 days prior. If a dose is missed, it should be administered as soon as possible, provided there are at least 3 days until the next scheduled dose. After that, the regular weekly dosing schedule can be resumed. If less than 3 days remain until the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and the next dose should be administered on the regularly scheduled day. (FDA label)
Source for this section: Sources for When should you take Albiglutide?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
What interacts with Albiglutide?
| Interacts with | Severity | Type | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any glp1 + supplement | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | GLP-1 medications slow stomach emptying, changing how/when oral supplements absorb; rapid weight loss raises the importance of protein and micronutrients.Source pending | Time oral supplements when nausea is lowest; prioritize protein and micronutrients; discuss with your provider. |
Frequently asked questions about Albiglutide
Albiglutide (Tanzeum) is a long-acting injectable medication belonging to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It works by mimicking a natural hormone to increase insulin release, decrease glucagon, and slow digestion. (FDA label)
Albiglutide is administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection. The injection can be given at any time of day, with or without food. (FDA label)
Some individuals taking albiglutide may experience modest weight loss as a secondary effect, attributed to its impact on satiety and slower gastric emptying. However, it is primarily prescribed for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes. (Cochrane Review)
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Injection site reactions are also common. Serious side effects like pancreatitis or severe allergic reactions are less common but possible. (FDA label)
Albiglutide is contraindicated in individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). It should also not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. (FDA label)
Albiglutide is a supplement, and interactions are possible with prescriptions, hormones, peptides and other supplements in the same routine. With a reported plasma half-life near 96 hours, separating doses can change the picture as much as removing one. Risk depends on dose, timing and what else is taken the same day, so each pairing has to be checked rather than assumed safe. The free checker at https://doseroutine.com/interaction-checker covers Albiglutide with no sign-up.
Albiglutide is administered by injection, so the measured volume — not a tablet count — is the unit that matters. The reported plasma half-life is about 96 hours, which is what drives how often it is redosed. Ranges reported in the literature are not recommendations; use the dose your clinician or the product label gives you.
Combining a supplement like Albiglutide with TRT is usually a question of labs rather than a blanket yes or no: the ester, injection interval and any aromatase inhibitor all change the answer. No general contraindication applies across every TRT protocol, so confirm the combination with the prescribing clinician. See the free TRT interaction reference: https://doseroutine.com/trt-supplement-interactions
Each peptide class carries its own profile against Albiglutide: a healing peptide raises different questions than a GLP-1 agonist or a growth-hormone secretagogue. Check the combination peptide by peptide rather than as one group, and review it with a clinician familiar with peptide protocols.
With a plasma half-life near 96 hours, a single missed dose of Albiglutide usually has a smaller effect on overall exposure than an irregular pattern of missed doses does. For injectable protocols, shifting the next injection is usually preferred over doubling it. Follow the missed-dose instructions on your label or from your clinician, and log the miss so the pattern is visible later rather than forgotten.
For an injectable like Albiglutide the record needs more than a checkbox: vial concentration, the measured volume, and which site the last injection went into. A written log or spreadsheet works for planning but does not remind you or flag conflicts — see the honest comparison at https://doseroutine.com/vs/spreadsheet and the wider roundup at https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps — DoseRoutine tracks the schedule, the remaining supply and interactions with the rest of your routine in one place.
Sources cited on this page
Specific documents referenced by the numbered markers above. Each number matches the marker in the text.
- PubChem CID 122173812(opens in a new tab)National Center for Biotechnology Information · pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/122173812
Verify at
Publisher search links for Albiglutide. These are places to check the information — they are not citations, so they are not numbered.
- Cochrane Library(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Cochrane · publisher search
- DrugBank(publisher search, opens in a new tab)DrugBank Online · publisher search
- European Medicines Agency(publisher search, opens in a new tab)European Medicines Agency · publisher search
- Examine.com(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Examine.com · publisher search
- FDA-approved labeling (DailyMed)(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · publisher search
- Mayo Clinic(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Mayo Clinic · publisher search
- MedlinePlus(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Institutes of Health · publisher search
- PubMed literature search(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- Wikipedia entry(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · publisher search
DoseRoutine compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician. How we source and review this information.
What is the short answer on Albiglutide?
Plain-text summary, safe to quote verbatim:
Albiglutide, marketed under the brand name Tanzeum, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a long-acting injectable medication designed to help improve blood sugar control in adults. Research on Albiglutide focuses on blood sugar control and weight loss.
Source: DoseRoutine — https://doseroutine.com/library/albiglutide
Cite this page
Using this in an article, AI answer, or research note? Please attribute:
DoseRoutine. (2026). Albiglutide — Overview, Benefits & Side Effects. Retrieved from https://doseroutine.com/library/albiglutide
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