Managing type 2 diabetes or navigating weight-related health challenges can be complex. Even with a healthy diet, regular exercise and other lifestyle changes, progress isn’t always easy. For many, lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough. That’s where GLP-1 medications offer a breakthrough.
GLP-1 receptor agonists were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, with the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. Today, they’re also recognized as powerful tools for obesity management and improving overall metabolic health.
What are GLP-1 medications?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a natural hormone your body produces after you eat. It helps control your blood sugar and appetite by:
- Helping your body release insulin (a hormone that helps lower blood sugar) when your blood sugar is high
- Lowering another hormone called glucagon, which raises blood sugar
- Slowing down how fast food leaves your stomach
- Telling your brain that you’re full so you eat less
GLP-1 medications mimic this hormone and help your body manage blood sugar and appetite more effectively. These medications are prescribed under various brand names and formulations, including:
- Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
- Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)
- Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)*
Most often, GLP-1s are injectable medications, meaning you inject the medication into the fatty tissue under your skin (most commonly your arm, thigh, stomach or buttocks) with a needle and syringe. While each option has different dosing schedules and specific FDA-approved uses, they work in similar ways to support better metabolic function.
How do GLP-1s support health?
Whether you’re managing type 2 diabetes, working toward weight loss or both, GLP-1 medications can offer wide-ranging benefits.
Blood sugar control for type 2 diabetes
For people with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1s can significantly improve blood sugar control by:
- Releasing insulin when your blood sugar gets too high
- Telling your liver to make less sugar
- Slowing how fast food moves through your stomach, preventing sugar spikes after eating
This can lead to lower A1C levels over time and help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, such as nerve damage, kidney disease and heart problems.
Sustainable weight loss
GLP-1s help with weight loss by:
- Reducing hunger and curbing cravings
- Promoting fullness with smaller portions
- Encouraging more mindful eating behaviors
Research has shown that many people lose 5% or more of their body weight with GLP-1 medications, especially when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. This kind of weight loss can improve energy, reduce joint pain and lower the risk of chronic conditions associated with obesity, like high blood pressure and fatty liver disease.
Additional health benefits
In addition to managing blood sugar and supporting weight loss, GLP-1 medications also provide cardiovascular benefits, including:
- Lower risk of heart attack and stroke
- Improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Reduced inflammation and better overall heart health
What are the side effects of GLP-1 medications?
As with any medication, some people do experience side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation or fatigue. These tend to be most noticeable when first starting the medication or when increasing the dose, and side effects often improve over time. While rare, potentially serious side effects have been linked to GLP-1s, including problems with the gallbladder and inflammation of the pancreas. This is why it is important to work closely with a healthcare provider to manage any symptoms and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Finding the right healthcare provider
An endocrinologist, a provider who specializes in type 2 diabetes, or a bariatric healthcare provider, a weight loss physician, can help determine if GLP-1 medication is right for you based on your medical history, goals and overall health.
Finding a specialist doesn’t have to be difficult. MediFind’s “Find a Doctor” tool can help you find an endocrinologist or bariatric healthcare provider in your area. Our “Find a Doctor” tool uses objective medical data about each doctor to help you easily compare physicians based on the following criteria:
- Their experience treating patients with your condition
- Their research contributions and publications related to the condition
- Referrals from other specialists
- Connections with other experts treating the same condition
GLP-1 medications offer hope for people who need more than lifestyle changes alone. With the right guidance and a personalized plan, these medications can help you move toward better health, one step at a time.
Find an endocrinologist or bariatric healthcare provider using “Find a Doctor,” and determine whether a GLP-1 might be right for you. Try it here.
*Tirzepatide also acts on a second hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which plays a role in insulin production and may help improve metabolic function.
