Evidence reference only. Not medical advice, not a dosing guide, and not a recommendation to use any drug.
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Heart rate

18 findings across 13 drug records. Domain pages are descriptive indexes, not advice.

The grade rates how strong the evidence is, not how good or safe the drug is. A low or very-low grade means the evidence is thin, not that an effect is harmful or ruled out.

Most represented records

Native glucagon physiology (4)

Cotadutide (2)

Retatrutide (2)

Dulaglutide (1)

GLP-1-based therapies, multi-agent (1)

Liraglutide (1)

Native GIP infusion and GIP(3-30) antagonist probe (1)

Native GIP isoglycaemic-clamp probe (1)

Evidence spread

High evidence 2 Moderate evidence 2 Low evidence 9 Very low evidence 5

Cotadutide DISCONTINUED
Heart rate Increase
Low evidence

In a single-dose phase 1 study (36 on drug, 12 placebo), the balanced GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist cotadutide (MEDI0382) showed a dose-dependent increase in heart rate;...

Ambery PD et al., Br J Clin Pharmacol 2018;84(10):2325-2335 Source
Full findingIn a single-dose phase 1 study (36 on drug, 12 placebo), the balanced GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist cotadutide (MEDI0382) showed a dose-dependent increase in heart rate; treatment-emergent adverse events were mild/moderate (commonest vomiting, nausea, dizziness).
Populationsingle-dose phase 1 study, 36 on drug / 12 placebo
Fundingindustry - AstraZeneca/MedImmune (trial sponsor; inferred from registration trial)
Comparatorsplacebo
Dulaglutide MARKETED
Heart rate Increase
High evidence

Dulaglutide produces a small increase in pulse rate, consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, observed in the AWARD-5 dose-finding analysis.

Skrivanek Z, Gaydos BL, Chien JY, et al. Dose-finding results in an adaptive, seamless, r... Source
PopulationAWARD-5: adaptive double-blind randomised dose-finding trial; type 2 diabetes on metformin; pulse rate measured as a Bayesian dose-selection criterion vs placebo at 26 weeks.
Fundingindustry - Eli Lilly (trial sponsor; inferred from registration trial)
Comparatorsplacebo; sitagliptin
Native GIP isoglycaemic-clamp probe STATUS UNKNOWN
Heart rate No change
Low evidence

Under a two-stage somatostatin (pancreatic) clamp in healthy young men (n=10), native GIP infusion produced NO change in heart rate, blood pressure or flow-mediated...

Karstoft K et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2015;308(5):E426-33 Source
Full findingUnder a two-stage somatostatin (pancreatic) clamp in healthy young men (n=10), native GIP infusion produced NO change in heart rate, blood pressure or flow-mediated dilation; the sole haemodynamic change was increased femoral-artery blood flow during hyperglycaemia. The cleanest isolating human GIP haemodynamic dataset - a measured HR null under acute infusion.
Populationhealthy young men, n=10, two-stage pancreatic (somatostatin) clamp, GIP infusion 1.5 pmol/kg/min
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorscontrol; GLP-1
Native GIP infusion and GIP(3-30) antagonist probe STATUS UNKNOWN
Heart rate Increase
Low evidence

A systematic review of native GIP(1-42) administration in humans (67 studies, 30 min to 6 days) found that, among the 15% of studies reporting safety events, the most...

Helsted MM et al., Peptides 2024;177:171214 Source
Full findingA systematic review of native GIP(1-42) administration in humans (67 studies, 30 min to 6 days) found that, among the 15% of studies reporting safety events, the most frequent was a moderate and transient increase in heart rate; no correlation between achieved GIP concentration and reported events.
Populationsystematic review of 67 human native-GIP(1-42) administration studies
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorsplacebo
GLP-1-based therapies, multi-agent STATUS UNKNOWN
Heart rate Increase
Low evidence

Established GLP-1RAs raise resting/24-hour heart rate modestly (class effect, sinoatrial-node mediated).

Ferdinand KC et al. (dulaglutide ABPM/HR), Hypertension, 2014;64:731-737; LEADER 2016 Source
PopulationT2D CVOTs/ABPM studies (LEADER; dulaglutide ABPM/REWIND).
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorsplacebo
Native GLP-1 physiology STATUS UNKNOWN
Heart rate Not directional
Low evidence

The GLP-1 receptor localises to myocytes of the human (and monkey) sinoatrial node by validated-monoclonal-antibody immunohistochemistry (and to renal/lung arterial...

Pyke C et al., Endocrinology 2014;155(4):1280-90 Source
Full findingThe GLP-1 receptor localises to myocytes of the human (and monkey) sinoatrial node by validated-monoclonal-antibody immunohistochemistry (and to renal/lung arterial smooth muscle); it is NOT found in working cardiomyocytes - giving an anatomical DIRECT substrate for the GLP-1 heart-rate effect at the sinoatrial node.
Populationhuman and monkey cardiac tissue; validated monoclonal-antibody immunohistochemistry localisation study
Fundingindustry - Novo Nordisk (validated monoclonal antibody; sponsor-authored)
Comparatorsn/a
Native glucagon physiology STATUS UNKNOWN
Heart rate Increase
Low evidence

An intravenous glucagon bolus (2 or 5 mg) in 29 patients produced immediate positive inotropy, raised cardiac output and positive chronotropy, peaking within ~10 min...

Murtagh JG et al., Br Heart J 1970;32(3):307 Source
Full findingAn intravenous glucagon bolus (2 or 5 mg) in 29 patients produced immediate positive inotropy, raised cardiac output and positive chronotropy, peaking within ~10 min and dissipating within ~30 min; in acute myocardial infarction glucagon raised cardiac output by 42%. The classic human positive-chronotropy/inotropy dataset.
Population29 patients, single intravenous glucagon bolus 2-5 mg
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorsn/a
Native glucagon physiology STATUS UNKNOWN
Heart rate Increase
Very low evidence

Glucagon's positive inotropic/chronotropic cardiac effect is mediated by adenylyl-cyclase activation and inhibition of low-Km cAMP phosphodiesterase, raising cAMP and...

Mery PF et al., Nature 1990;345(6271):158-61 Source
Full findingGlucagon's positive inotropic/chronotropic cardiac effect is mediated by adenylyl-cyclase activation and inhibition of low-Km cAMP phosphodiesterase, raising cAMP and enhancing the cardiac L-type Ca2+ current (ICa); the effect resembles a beta-adrenergic agent but is NOT blocked by propranolol.
Populationfrog and rat ventricular myocytes
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorspropranolol
Native glucagon physiology STATUS UNKNOWN
Heart rate Increase
Very low evidence

In isolated adult-mouse cardiac preparations, glucagon (0.1-100 nM) exerted concentration-dependent POSITIVE CHRONOTROPY in spontaneously beating right atria -...

Neumann J et al., Int J Mol Sci 2025;27(1):126 (e-pub 2025-12-22) Source
Full findingIn isolated adult-mouse cardiac preparations, glucagon (0.1-100 nM) exerted concentration-dependent POSITIVE CHRONOTROPY in spontaneously beating right atria - reversed by GCGR antagonists and attenuated by the HCN-blocker ivabradine, but not by propranolol or the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram - while DECREASING force of contraction; GCGR mRNA was highest in right atrium.
Populationisolated adult-mouse cardiac preparations (spontaneously beating right atria; ventricle)
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorspropranolol; ivabradine; rolipram; SC203972; desglucagon
Native glucagon physiology STATUS UNKNOWN
Heart rate No change
Low evidence

In isolated failing and non-failing human heart tissue (atria, ventricles, sinoatrial nodes), glucagon exerted NO inotropic or chronotropic effect (with or without the...

Aranda-Domene R et al. (Hernandez-Cascales), Cardiovasc Diabetol 2023;22(1):128 Source
Full findingIn isolated failing and non-failing human heart tissue (atria, ventricles, sinoatrial nodes), glucagon exerted NO inotropic or chronotropic effect (with or without the PDE inhibitor IBMX) and glucagon receptors were NOT detected in the human samples; a non-human positive control confirmed assay validity. The key human-primary contested-null pole.
Populationisolated failing and non-failing human heart tissue (RA/LA/RV/LV/sinoatrial node); positive control confirmed assay validity
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
ComparatorsIBMX; positive control
Liraglutide MARKETED
Heart rate Increase
Very low evidence

Liraglutide raised sinoatrial firing rate by a DIRECT action on the node in isolated (denervated) rabbit Langendorff hearts and murine SAN myocytes: the effect...

Jons C et al., Life Sci 2021;282:119815 Source
Full findingLiraglutide raised sinoatrial firing rate by a DIRECT action on the node in isolated (denervated) rabbit Langendorff hearts and murine SAN myocytes: the effect survived beta-blockade (propranolol) but was abolished by funny-current (I_f) blockade with ivabradine, isolating an I_f-mediated direct-SAN component independent of autonomic reflexes.
Populationisolated denervated rabbit Langendorff hearts and isolated murine sinoatrial-node myocytes
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorspropranolol; ivabradine
Retatrutide INVESTIGATIONAL
Heart rate Increase
Moderate evidence

Retatrutide caused dose-dependent HR increases peaking at 24 weeks then declining; the largest HR signal observed in the class, with a flagged arrhythmia caution.

Jastreboff AM et al. (retatrutide phase 2), NEJM, 2023;389:514-526 Source
PopulationN=338 adults with obesity; retatrutide 1-12 mg vs placebo; 48 weeks; phase 2 (NCT04881760).
Fundingindustry-Eli Lilly
Comparatorsplacebo
Retatrutide INVESTIGATIONAL
Heart rate Increase
Very low evidence

In isolated mouse right atria, retatrutide itself exerted positive chronotropy that was antagonised by the GCGR antagonist adomeglivant, potentiated by rolipram (PDE4...

Neumann J et al., Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2025;398(12):17147-17160 Source
Full findingIn isolated mouse right atria, retatrutide itself exerted positive chronotropy that was antagonised by the GCGR antagonist adomeglivant, potentiated by rolipram (PDE4 inhibition) and abolished by the PKA inhibitor H89 - but NOT weakened by propranolol; the authors conclude retatrutide excites beating rate via GCGR, signalling through cAMP/PKA.
Populationisolated mouse right atria (and left atria for force of contraction)
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorsadomeglivant; rolipram; H89; propranolol
Semaglutide MARKETED
Heart rate Increase
Low evidence

Semaglutide produces a modest resting heart-rate rise versus placebo (class chronotropic effect).

Marso SP et al. (SUSTAIN-6), NEJM, 2016;375:1834-1844; plus class HR summaries Source
PopulationT2D (SUSTAIN-6) and obesity (STEP) populations; s.c. semaglutide vs placebo.
Fundingacademic/independent analysis (manufacturer not study sponsor; per-study COI not individually audited)
Comparatorsplacebo
Survodutide INVESTIGATIONAL
Heart rate Increase
Moderate evidence

In the phase 2 obesity dose-finding trial (NCT04667377), survodutide raised heart rate by a mean ~2.7 bpm (all doses pooled) versus ~0.1 bpm on placebo, with a...

le Roux CW et al., Diabetes Obes Metab 2024;27(2):993-996 (Letter; survodutide BP post hoc) Source
Full findingIn the phase 2 obesity dose-finding trial (NCT04667377), survodutide raised heart rate by a mean ~2.7 bpm (all doses pooled) versus ~0.1 bpm on placebo, with a post-hoc analysis reporting blood-pressure improvement; weight loss up to ~14.9% at 46 weeks.
Populationphase 2 obesity dose-finding trial (NCT04667377); post-hoc blood-pressure analysis (Letter)
Fundingindustry - Boehringer Ingelheim / Zealand (trial sponsor)
Comparatorsplacebo
Tirzepatide MARKETED
Heart rate Increase
High evidence

Tirzepatide raises heart rate modestly and dose-dependently versus placebo.

de Lemos JA et al. (SURMOUNT-1 ABPM), Hypertension, 2024;81(4):e41-e43 Source
PopulationSURMOUNT-1 obesity RCT and SURPASS T2D programme; tirzepatide 5/10/15 mg vs placebo/comparators.
Fundingindustry - Eli Lilly
Comparatorsplacebo
Cotadutide DISCONTINUED
Heart rate Increase
Low evidence

Increased pulse rate with cotadutide vs placebo, consistent with GLP-1 monoagonists

Asano M et al. Diabetes Obes Metab 2021;23:1859-1867 Source
PopulationOverweight Japanese T2D, phase 1/2a (n=61), up to 48 days, RCT
Fundingindustry - AstraZeneca (trial sponsor; inferred from registration trial)
Comparatorsplacebo
Pemvidutide INVESTIGATIONAL
Heart rate No change
Very low evidence

No clinically meaningful heart-rate increase reported

Altimmune MOMENTUM topline / ADA 2024 Source
PopulationMOMENTUM obesity phase 2 (n=391), 48 wk
Fundingindustry - Altimmune (trial sponsor; inferred from registration trial)
Comparatorsplacebo