Study Highlights Benefits and Risks of Popular Weight-Loss Drugs
A new study has systematically evaluated health outcomes among more than 2 million people with diabetes taking the popular weight-loss drugs, GLP-1 receptor agonists. They found widespread associations with benefits to cognitive and behavioral health, while also revealing increased risks for pancreatitis and kidney conditions, among others. The study is published in the journal Nature Medicine.
For the study, researchers analyzed de-identified medical records in a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They compared 175 health outcomes between veterans who took GLP-1RA drugs to treat their diabetes and those who took more traditional medications sold under brand names such as Jardiance, Glipizide and Januvia. Altogether, the dataset examined more than 2 million veterans who were treated for diabetes from 2017 to 2023. Patients included people of diverse ages, races and sexes.
GLP-1RA drugs were associated with significant benefits to neurological and behavioral health, with reduced risks of seizures and addiction to substances such as alcohol, cannabis, stimulants and opioids. People taking the weight-loss drugs also experienced decreased risks of suicidal ideation, self-harm, bulimia and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. The findings also showed a decreased risk of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. The study also confirmed past research findings detailing the drugs’ potential to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular concerns.
But what is novel is the potential ways GLP-1RA drugs can negatively affect the pancreas and kidneys. While these adverse effects are uncommon, they can be very serious; physicians must be vigilant for signs of pancreatitis and monitor kidney function among people taking GLP-1RA medications. Kidney problems can occur without symptoms until the condition is at an advanced stage with limited treatment options.
“GLP-1RA drugs can have broad health benefits,” said Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a clinical epidemiologist and nephrologist who treats patients at the WashU Medicine-affiliated John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis. “However, they are not without risks. Our findings underscore the possibility for wider applications for these medications but also highlight important risks that should be carefully monitored in people taking these drugs.”
Reference: Xie, Y., Choi, T. & Al-Aly, Z. Mapping the effectiveness and risks of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03412-w
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