Skip to main content

GLP-1 RAs Efficacious for Weight Loss in Overweight, Obesity Without Diabetes

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 7, 2025.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Jan. 7, 2025 -- For adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are efficacious for weight loss, according to a review published online Jan. 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Areesha Moiz, from McGill University in Montreal, and colleagues examined the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RAs and co-agonists for obesity treatment among adults without diabetes in a systematic review of placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in otherwise healthy adults with overweight or obesity. Twenty-six RCTs, with 15,491 participants and 12 agents (three commercially available and nine premarket), were included.

The researchers found that tirzepatide (15 mg once weekly), semaglutide (2.4 mg once weekly), and liraglutide (3.0 mg once daily) resulted in weight loss of up to 17.8, 13.9, and 5.8 percent after 72, 68, and 26 weeks of therapy, respectively, compared with placebo. Retatrutide (12 mg once weekly) resulted in weight loss of up to 22.1 percent after 48 weeks; other novel single and combination GLP-1 agents were also efficacious. Adverse events were frequent (80 to 97 percent versus 63 to 100 percent for GLP-1 RA versus placebo); most were gastrointestinal-related, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

"Our results support the use of GLP-1 RAs and co-agonists for the treatment of overweight or obesity among patients without diabetes," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted January 2025

Read this next

Participation in National Diabetes Prevention Program Is Cost-Saving

TUESDAY, Jan. 7, 2025 -- Participants with prediabetes enrolled in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) have a reduction in direct medical costs over two years...

Adults Screened for Inactivity Have Lower Rates of Comorbid Conditions

THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2025 -- Adults screened for inactivity at well visits have lower rates of comorbid conditions, according to a study published online Jan. 2 in Preventing Chronic...

Late Eating Tied to Poor Glucose Tolerance

THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2025 -- Late consumption of calories is associated with worse glucose tolerance, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in Nutrition &...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.