In a recent study published in eClinical Medicine , researchers investigated the benefit-harm balance of initiating Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) versus a placebo intervention for weight loss among people living with obesity and overweight without diabetes. Their findings indicate that achieving a 10% weight loss with GLP-1 RA therapy outweighed the cumulative harms. Still, the net benefit was dependent on individual treatment goals and tolerance for potential adverse effects.
Study: GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight reduction in people living with obesity but without diabetes: a living benefit–harm modelling study . Image Credit: KK Stock/Shutterstock.com GLP-1 RAs were initially approved to improve metabolic control in diabetes patients.
Still, recent randomized control trials (RCTs) have shown their efficacy in weight reduction for non-diabetic adults, leading to approvals of drugs like semaglutide and liraglutide for weight management. While these drugs demonstrate significant weight loss and potential reduction in weight-related comorbidities, the balance of their benefits against potential harms remains unclear, especially with concerns about off-label use, economic impact, and the rapid rise in prescriptions fueled by social media, leading to supply shortages and potential overuse. This study aimed to continuously evaluate and monitor the benefit-harm balance of GLP-1 RAs to guide informed decision.
