Tanzeum

Q: What is albiglutide?

Albiglutide is used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It's injected under the skin once a week, and it doesn't cause weight gain like insulin. The medication works best if it's used together with a lower-calorie diet and exercise, and it can be used in addition to certain diabetes medications that you have to take by mouth.

Q: What is a GLP-1 agonist?

Albiglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. GLP-1 is a natural hormone in your body that boosts the release of insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels. GLP-1 also slows the digestion of food in your stomach, which makes you feel full for a longer period of time. By acting like GLP-1, albiglutide helps lower your blood sugar levels and how much food you eat.

Q: Is albiglutide still available?

No, albiglutide is [no longer available](https://www.empr.com/home/news/type-2-diabetes-injectable-therapy-will-soon-be-unavailable/). Ask your healthcare provider to see if there are other similar medications that you can take, such as [Trulicity (dulaglutide)](https://www.goodrx.com/trulicity/what-is) or [Ozempic (semaglutide)](https://www.goodrx.com/ozempic/what-is).

Q: Why was albiglutide discontinued?

Albiglutide was [discontinued](https://www.empr.com/home/news/type-2-diabetes-injectable-therapy-will-soon-be-unavailable/) in August 2017. There weren't any safety concerns with the medication, but it wasn't prescribed or used often enough for the manufacturer (GlaxoSmithKline) to continue making and selling.

albiglutide

Used for Diabetes Type 2, Management with Incretin-based Therapies

Albiglutide is used together with a lower-calorie diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It's injected under the skin once a week, and it can be used in addition to certain diabetes medications that are taken by mouth. The medication has been discontinued since August 2017.

Reviewed by:

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Michelle Nguyen, PharmD

Last reviewed on September 27, 2021

What is Albiglutide?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Tanzeum
Drug Class	GLP-1 agonist
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Discontinued

Common Brands

Tanzeum

Drug Class

GLP-1 agonist

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Discontinued

Common questions about Tanzeum

Tanzeum is used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It's injected under the skin once a week, and it doesn't cause weight gain like insulin. The medication works best if it's used together with a lower-calorie diet and exercise, and it can be used in addition to certain diabetes medications that you have to take by mouth.

Tanzeum is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. GLP-1 is a natural hormone in your body that boosts the release of insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels. GLP-1 also slows the digestion of food in your stomach, which makes you feel full for a longer period of time. By acting like GLP-1, Tanzeum helps lower your blood sugar levels and how much food you eat.

No, Tanzeum is no longer available. Ask your healthcare provider to see if there are other similar medications that you can take, such as Trulicity (dulaglutide) or Ozempic (semaglutide).

Tanzeum was discontinued in August 2017. There weren't any safety concerns with the medication, but it wasn't prescribed or used often enough for the manufacturer (GlaxoSmithKline) to continue making and selling.