Research
Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists (Semaglutide and Tirzepatide) are associated with gastrointestinal adverse effects and specific contraindications, including personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer.
Be aware that these medications can cause gastrointestinal issues, which are best managed by starting at a low dose and increasing slowly. Do not use these medications if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Both medications are associated with gastrointestinal adverse effects, which are minimized by slow dose titration. Contraindications include personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 or hypersensitivity.
Why this rating
Based on summary of safety profiles from approved labeling and studies.
Source
Novel obesity treatments
Shohinee Sarma et al. · Canadian Medical Association Journal · 2023
DOI 10.1503/cmaj.230820
narrative_reviewCited 1×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Semaglutide (2.4 mg weekly) combined with intensive behavioral therapy produces significantly greater weight loss (16.0%) and cardiometabolic improvements compared to behavioral therapy alone (5.7%).Strong
- Tirzepatide (5-15 mg weekly) results in significant mean weight loss (15.0-20.9%) and improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid levels compared to placebo.Strong
- Post-market surveillance is investigating potential links between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicidal ideation, as well as an increased risk of thyroid cancer of all histologic subtypes.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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