Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide 3 mg, semaglutide 2.4 mg) and tirzepatide are effective first-line pharmacological treatments for obesity in psoriasis patients, providing significant weight loss and independent improvements in psoriasis severity (PASI scores) through anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
If you have psoriasis and obesity, GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide are highly effective first-line treatments. They help you lose significant weight and can directly reduce your psoriasis severity, not just through weight loss but by lowering inflammation. Start with lifestyle changes, but if you need medication, these drugs are safe and effective. Work with your doctor to find the right dose and manage any initial stomach side effects by starting low and going slow.
GLP-1 RAs are considered the first-line treatment, given the available scientific evidence about their efficacy in terms of weight loss and management of comorbidities, as well as their safety profile. If weight loss with these drugs is insufficient, the next proposed treatment step is tirzepatide.
Why this rating
Based on a narrative review of RCTs (SCALE, STEP, SURMOUNT) and observational studies.
Source
Management of Obesity in Psoriasis Consultations
Joana Nicolau et al. · Dermatology and Therapy · 2026
DOI 10.1007/s13555-026-01664-7
More from this paper
- Bariatric surgery, particularly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), significantly improves psoriasis symptoms and quality of life, with effects potentially linked to increased GLP-1 levels post-surgery.Moderate
- Lifestyle interventions, specifically the Mediterranean diet and moderate-to-vigorous exercise, improve psoriasis symptoms and quality of life, independent of weight loss.Moderate
Related findings · Hormonal
- Initial treatment for type 2 diabetes should be a combination of metformin and either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist to achieve cardiorenal protection, rather than monotherapy or older agents like sulfonylureas.Strong
- For patients with specific monogenic obesity syndromes (leptin deficiency, POMC/PCSK1/LEPR mutations), targeted pharmacotherapy (recombinant leptin or setmelanotide) is highly effective and should be prioritized, unlike in polygenic obesity.Strong
- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
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