GLP-1 Agonists for Weight Loss and Beyond

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are medications that were originally approved for type 2 diabetes to help improve glycemic control in conjunction with exercise and dieting. One of the beneficial effects of this medication class is weight loss, and recently the FDA has approved a select few for this indication of weight loss. With these medications becoming increasingly more popular, it is imperative that both providers and patients understand the differences in terms of efficacy for these medications and the potential adverse events to make the best decision about initiating therapy. This article summarizes the FDA indications for all the GLP-1 agonists and includes supporting trial data showcasing their efficacy as weight loss treatments. Outside of weight loss and diabetes, there also may be other benefits seen with GLP-1 agonist usage in specific populations such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.