Common Trends in GLP-1 Use Amid Increased Indications

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been on the prescription drug market for around 20 years. However, with recent indications for obesity and other comorbidities in this medication class, GLP-1s have seen a significant rise in the past few years.

“When anything new comes out, at first, there are some people that really jump on board and want to try it and then others who have some hesitancy,” said Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES, Endocrine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with Cleveland Clinic Endocrinology & Metabolism Institute. “You hear sometimes people are very worried about the safety and the side effects, but the reality is we have 20 years now of use and data, and so we are seeing an increase in use.”

We recently caught up with Isaacs to get a better understanding of GLP-1 use and the indications that have launched these products into the public eye.

“We've seen how this medication class now has all of these other indications,” she continued. “For example, to treat overweight and obesity, for the cardiovascular outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes, and even in people with obesity with semaglutide. We've also seen new, exciting indications, like for sleep apnea.”

From the inception of GLP-1s in the early 2000s to their increased prevalence in everyday society, Isaacs and her patients do not see these medications going away anytime soon. And with increased popularity of these drugs leading to a subsequently resolved drug shortage issue, it’s ever-important that experts, pharmacists, manufacturers, and patients alike be knowledgeable about GLP-1s.

Stay tuned for more content from our interview with Isaacs as she discusses further her experience managing GLP-1 medications.

READ MORE: Obesity Management Resource Center

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