The science of safety: adverse effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists as glucose-lowering and obesity medications - PubMed
7 days ago
- #GLP-1 receptor agonists
- #Diabetes treatment
- #Obesity medication
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have revolutionized treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, offering cardiovascular and renal benefits.
- Despite their benefits, GLP-1RAs are associated with adverse effects impacting safety and tolerability.
- Long-term clinical trials have dismissed concerns about GLP-1RAs increasing risks for acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
- GLP-1RAs may elevate the risk for thyroid cancer.
- Rapid glycemia reduction from GLP-1RAs can cause sight-threatening eye complications, preventable with pre-treatment retinal screening and ophthalmologic care.
- GLP-1RAs slow gastric emptying, increasing risks of retained gastric contents and aspiration during procedures like endoscopy or anesthesia.
- Individuals with long-standing T2D may face elevated risks even without GLP-1RA treatment.
- Enhanced pharmacovigilance and standardized adverse event assessments in trials are needed to better define benefit-risk profiles for GLP-1RAs.