Glucagon - like peptide-1 ( GLP-1 ) agonist are among the buzziest new medicine on the marketplace . And while they ’re primarily known for their free weight loss effects , GLP-1 agonists ( and threefold GLP-1 / GIP agonists ) can also help lower parentage sugar ( A1C ) levels and help plow type 2 diabetes .
Moreover , these medications can help lower your risk of some of the wellness conditions that sometimes go hand in hand withtype 2 diabetes . These include fleshiness , heart disease , kidney disease , sum failure , metabolic dysfunction – link up steatotic liver disease , and impeding sleep apnea , saysAbsalon D. Gutierrez , MD , an associate prof of endocrinology , diabetes , and metabolism at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston .
Here ’s how GLP-1 agonists work , as well as how to differentiate if one may be right for you .
8 Essential Facts About GLP-1s for Type 2 Diabetes
1. Three GLP-1 agonists are approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
Currently , there are three GLP-1 receptor protagonist on the market :
There is also a like medicinal drug address tirzepatide ( Mounjaro / Zepbound ) , which is a dual GLP-1 / GIP sense organ protagonist . This entail it works on GLP-1 , as well as another receptor call glucose - dependent insulinotropic polypeptide , which also releases insulin .
2. Most GLP-1 agonists are given by injection.
Three brands of the usable GLP-1 protagonist are sacrifice by injection , either day by day or hebdomadal :
Once a day ( at any time ):
Once a week :
Another semaglutide , Rybelsus , is available in pill form and take once a 24-hour interval .
The dual GLP-1 / GIP sense organ protagonist tirzepatide ( Mounjaro / Zepbound ) is a once - hebdomadal injection .
3. It can take a few days to a few weeks for a GLP-1 agonist to work.
Every somebody is different , but “ Generally , hoi polloi will start to see melioration in their blood glucose in the first few days , ” saysJoshua J. Neumiller , PharmD , a professor and frailty chair of pharmacotherapy at Washington State University in Spokane and Chief Executive of healthcare and education for the American Diabetes Association ( ADA ) .
That say , medication that is taken once a week is longer acting , so it may take several week to provide the full benefit , he notes .
4. GLP-1 agonists may help you lose weight.
Although not all GLP-1 protagonist are approved for weight loss , they oftencanhelp you lose weight , primarily because they slow up digestion and increase satiety . But they can also reduce “ intellectual nourishment dissonance ” — the constant rumination about and preoccupation with food .
In fact , the ADA considers the effectiveness of Ozempic and Mounjaro to be “ very mellow ” for weight loss , Neumiller says .
5. GLP-1 agonists can help treat or reduce the risk of other health conditions.
Beyond lowering pedigree bread level and reduce weightiness , GLP-1 agonists can reduce the risk for heart disease and kidney disease . One reviewfound that GLP-1 agonists boost weight loss and improve blood insistency and roue lipid level , which has a cocksure impact on cardiovascular risk factors .
The meds also stimulate the endothelium ( the liner of the blood vessels ) to farm nitric oxide , which is crucial for healthy blood watercraft function . It also let down the layer of oxidative stress that can lead to electric cell and tissue harm , according tosome enquiry .
Another studyfound that GLP-1 agonist are tie in with a low-pitched peril of major adverse kidney outcome and death from cardiovascular causes in multitude with case 2 diabetes and inveterate kidney disease .
Finally , GLP-1 agonists can also help treat or reduce the peril for nerve loser , metabolic disfunction – associate fatty liver , strokeand obstructive sleep apnea in some people , says Dr. Gutierrez . Ozempic , for example , is O.K. by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) toreduce the risk of cardiovascular problemsin people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease , while Zepbound is okay totreat obstructive sleep apnea .
Clinical trials are also test the medication as a possible discourse for other conditions , including kidney loser , addiction , Alzheimer ’s disease , and more , according to someresearch .
6. You may still need to take other medications, such as insulin, for type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1 agonists can be very effective at lowering bloodline dinero levels , but you may still demand to take additional medicament to reach your end . “ It depends on the patient , ” says Gutierrez . “ If your diabetes is sophisticated , you may still involve to take insulin or another medicine . ”
But if you are already accept insulin , you may be able to diminish your dosage ( or possibly stop it altogether ) if taking a GLP-1 agonist is good , Neumiller says . Work with your health care squad to figure out which meds work well for you .
7. The most common side effect of GLP-1 agonists is nausea.
To avoid nausea , your doctor maystart you on a pocket-size doseof the GLP-1 agonist and then gradually increase it . If you do have sickness when you first start take a GLP-1 , know that it ’s usually temporary . “ It should go forth after a few weeks , ” says Gutierrez . Other side effects can admit :
8. There are some risks associated with taking GLP-1 agonists.
The main GLP-1 drug risk of exposure include developing gallstones , pancreatitis , or moresevere gastrointestinal job , such as a bowel obstacle orgastroparesis(in which the muscles in the stomach do n’t move food decent for digestion ) , although these are rare .
GLP-1 agonists are not recommended for people with a personal or family chronicle of a rare genetic anatomy of thyroid cancer or genetic syndrome called MEN2 .
Save these GLP-1 agonist facts for easy reference.
Should I Take a GLP-1 for Type 2 Diabetes?
Review this list with your doctor to determine if a GLP-1 agonist is right for you.
Common Questions About GLP-1s for Type 2 Diabetes
Keep these GLP-1 agonist facts on hand.
Self-Reflection
require yourself these motion before your next doctor ’s date :
Doctor Discussion
Bring this list of questions for your doctor to your next designation .
Bring the answers to these questions to your next doctor’s appointment.
Anna L. Goldman , MD , is a board - certified endocrinologist . She teaches first year aesculapian bookman atHarvard Medical Schooland rehearse cosmopolitan endocrinology in Boston .
Dr. Goldman attended college at Wesleyan University and then completed her residence at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City , where she was also a chief resident . She moved to Boston to do her fellowship in endocrinology at Brigham and Women ’s Hospital . She joined the faculty after graduation and served as the associate programme director for the company curriculum for a number of years .
Abigail Libers is a freelance writer and editor rivet on wellness , sustenance , and life-style news media . Her article have come along in a numeral of publications , including oxygen : The Oprah Magazine , SELF , SHAPE , Cosmopolitan , and Marie Claire and on Web site such as FoodNetwork.com and Refinery29.com . When she ’s not writing , you may find her riding her motorcycle , doing yoga , travel , and try out with young recipe .
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