Hormonal
Incretin therapies (GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists) produce significant weight loss in adults with obesity by modulating incretin hormone pathways to suppress appetite and reduce caloric intake.
If you have obesity, incretin medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide are highly effective tools for weight loss, working by reducing appetite and slowing digestion. They are taken as weekly (or daily) injections and are most effective when combined with lifestyle changes like a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. Be aware that gastrointestinal side effects like nausea are common initially but often improve with slow dose increases. Long-term use is generally required to maintain weight loss, as stopping the medication often leads to weight regain.
Liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide promote weight reduction by modulating incretin hormone pathways, leading to decreased caloric intake.
Why this rating
Based on multiple large-scale, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (SCALE, STEP, SURMOUNT).
Source
Current clinical application of incretin therapy for obesity management
Karlie Skinner et al. · Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology · 2025
DOI 10.1139/cjpp-2025-0152
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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