GLP-2: The Gut-Growth Hormone (and Why It's Not a Weight-Loss Drug)
GLP-2 explained: the gut hormone released with GLP-1, how teduglutide treats short bowel syndrome, risks, drugs in development, and what "GLP-3" means. Not medical advice.
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Short answer
GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-2) is a 33-amino-acid hormone made in the gut alongside GLP-1. While GLP-1 lowers blood sugar and appetite, GLP-2 mainly makes the intestinal lining grow and absorb more. A GLP-2 drug, teduglutide (Gattex in the US, Revestive in Canada and Europe), treats short bowel syndrome. GLP-2 drugs are not weight-loss medicines. Peptide Confessions does not publish dosing, timing, injection or sourcing guidance.
GLP-1 vs GLP-2
Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
| GLP-1 | GLP-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Gut L-cells (and brain) | Same gut L-cells, released together |
| Main effects | Insulin release, fullness, slower stomach emptying | Intestinal growth, nutrient absorption, gut-barrier support |
| Drugs | Semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide (with GIP) | Teduglutide; glepaglutide and apraglutide in development |
| Used for | Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart and kidney risk | Short bowel syndrome |
Teduglutide: uses and risks
Teduglutide helps adults and children with short bowel syndrome who depend on IV nutrition to absorb more and reduce IV support. Because it makes intestinal tissue grow, its label warns about faster growth of existing tumours and colon polyps (colonoscopy is required before and during treatment), bowel obstruction, and gallbladder, bile-duct and pancreas problems. Common side effects include abdominal pain, swelling at the stoma, nausea and injection-site reactions.
What is "GLP-3"?
There is no GLP-3 hormone. "GLP-3" is online slang for retatrutide, an investigational triple agonist (GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors), and "GLP-3 RT" products sold online are unapproved research vials. See retatrutide. Selling GLP-2 or "GLP-3" research peptides for human use is not legal, and contents are unverified.
GLP-2 drugs at a glance
Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
| Drug | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Teduglutide (Gattex, Revestive) | Approved in the US, Canada and Europe for short bowel syndrome | Daily injection; colonoscopy monitoring |
| Glepaglutide | Investigational | Longer-acting; the FDA asked for more data in late 2024 |
| Apraglutide | Investigational | Weekly; in trials |
| Dapiglutide | Investigational | Combined GLP-1/GLP-2 agonist studied for obesity |
Why GLP-2 matters for GLP-1 users
GLP-1 and GLP-2 come from the same precursor (proglucagon), and drugs like semaglutide act only on the GLP-1 receptor. GLP-1 drugs do not boost GLP-2 in a meaningful way, and GLP-2 is not responsible for their stomach side effects. Researchers are testing combined GLP-1/GLP-2 drugs to see whether gut-protective effects add anything, but none is approved. See GLP-1 medications.
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Community Q&A
- Is there a GLP-1 and GLP-2 combination drug?
- Dual GLP-1/GLP-2 agonists such as dapiglutide are in trials; none is approved.
- What does GLP-2 do?
- It promotes growth and absorptive capacity of the intestinal lining.
- Is GLP-2 used for weight loss?
- No. The approved GLP-2 drug, teduglutide, treats short bowel syndrome.
- What is the difference between GLP-1 and GLP-2?
- They are released together from the gut, but GLP-1 acts on blood sugar and appetite while GLP-2 acts on intestinal growth and absorption.
- Is GLP-3 real?
- No GLP-3 hormone exists. The term is slang for retatrutide, an unapproved triple agonist.
- Does this page give dosing advice?
- Peptide Confessions does not publish dosing, timing, injection or sourcing guidance.
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