Commonly used diabetes drugs could lower the risk of cardiometabolic conditions but heighten the risk of gastrointestinal and arthritic ones, hypotension, among others, according to a study.Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis analysed data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to examine links between taking ‘GLP-1RA’ drugs and 175 health outcomes. Data from 2.4 million participants with diabetes were analysed.
While the GLP1-RA class of drugs have become popular for weight loss, their effectiveness is also being evaluated for a wider range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea, the researchers said.
However, previous studies have reported adverse effects of these drugs, such as thoughts of committing suicide and gastrointestinal complications.
In this study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, about half of the 2.4 million participants continued the use of non-GLP-1RA drugs, such as sulfonylureas and SGLT2 inhibitors, while the rest were initiated with GLP-1RA.
The authors found the anti-obesity
GLP-1RA, or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, are drugs that work by mimicking the action of the hormone GLP-1 that helps control blood sugar and promote feelings of satiety. Through weight management, the drugs can also treat type 2 diabetes.