Effect of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Weight and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Review

Overview

Journal Medicine (Baltimore)

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2024 Nov 4

PMID 39496023

Authors

Fatima Ali Raza

Rafiya Altaf

Talha Bashir

Fatima Asghar

Rabiya Altaf

Sohaib Tousif

Aman Goyal

Aisha Mohammed

Mahnoor Faisal Mohammad

Mahfuza Anan

Sajjad Ali

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Diet and lifestyle modifications remain the foundation of obesity treatment, but they have historically proven insufficient for significant, long-term weight loss. As a result, there is a high demand for new pharmacologic treatments to promote weight loss and prevent life-threatening diseases associated with obesity. Researchers are particularly interested in 1 type of drug, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), because of its promising potential in addressing the limitations of non-pharmacologic treatments. In addition to their role in weight loss, these drugs have shown promising early evidence of cardiovascular benefits in obese patients, further enhancing their clinical relevance. Semaglutide and liraglutide, which were initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, have since been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as weight loss medications due to their effectiveness in promoting significant and sustained weight loss. In this narrative review, we will explore the mechanism of GLP-1 RAs, their effects on weight loss, cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes, common adverse effects, and strategies for managing these effects.

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