Weight Management

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have spoken out against the use of their GLP-1 medications for cosmetic weight loss, emphasizing the proper use of their medications.

Eli Lilly and Company will submit results of the study to support tirzepatide (Zepbound) for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea later this year.

Tirzepatide is currently approved for management of type 2 diabetes, improving glucose control, facilitating weight loss, and improving cardiovascular disease outcomes.

As the full act will be enforced in November 2024, all medication dispensers must ensure they’re fully prepared.

A pharmacist discusses the impact of comprehensive weight management with a shared decision making approach.

In addition to improved efficacy, newer generations of anti-obesity medications have significantly improved safety concerns.

Expert Jennifer Clements discussed the evolving landscape of weight management medications, clinical considerations, and obstacles to use.

The oral medication activates an “anti-hunger” molecule which may prevent people from overeating.

Semaglutide (Wegovy; Novo Nordisk) reduces the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight when combined with the standard-of-care.

Promising data have emerged suggesting a significant weight loss benefit for patients using GLP-1 agonists and GLP-1/GIP dual agonists.

Children with normal weight had different community relationships compared to children with overweight or obesity.

VK2735, a dual agonist of glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, is being developed as a potential treatment for various metabolic disorders.

Nearly 60% of patients who regained all the weight stayed in remission at 5 years post-surgery, according to study results.

Sustained cognitive improvement is likely a result of lower inflammation, remission of comorbidities, higher physical activity, and better mood.

Finding simple solutions to improve movement during the day can make important differences to their overall health

There are 2 features of weight loss interventions which are most likely to improve weight loss outcomes—having access to professional health coaches and social support from other users.

With the increase in counterfeit GLP-1 and GLP/GIP medications available online, education may be needed for patients around the dangers of unregulated medications.

Eli Lilly & Co. has been one of the first companies to address the off-label use of their tirzepatide drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, for cosmetic weight loss.

Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, has shown a clinically and significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin for those with type 2 diabetes.

With gastrointestinal-based adverse effectss for rivastigmine and other cholinesterase inhibitors, a weight of <50 and <55 kg respectively leads to an increased risk for toxicities.

This month's Pharmacy Times Condition Watch features obesity and type 2 diabetes.

In the phase 3 SURMOUNT-4 trial, investigators included individuals with at least 1 weight-related complication, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.

A new hydrogel drug delivery system could change the way diabetes is managed.

Older treatments and novel options are changing the way obesity is treated and managed

The SELECT trial expands on existing literature that have shown safety and cardiovascular benefit in individuals with diabetes to now also show benefit in obesity.

Tirzepatide is already approved under the brand name Mounjaro (Lilly) to be used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Pricing is also a key issue, as many insurance plans do not cover these medications’ use for obesity.

A low carbohydrate diet plus a sodium glucose contransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor was found to be safe and effective for weight loss and glycemic control in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

This “refreshing alternative” to calorie restriction does not include calorie counting, yet it is naturally associated with greater energy restriction compared to the latter.

Semaglutide was found to be the most effective drug for weight loss, but the benefits may not outweigh the cost associated with treatment.