Beyond Weight Loss: The Future of GLP-1 Agonists and Similar Medications
What other conditions can medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide help treat?
Many people know GLP-1 agonists (like semaglutide) for their weight-loss potential and treatment of diabetes. In this video, learn other new or upcoming conditions that GLP-1 agonists have been approved to treat, according to Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, Pharmacy Editor at GoodRx.
- Stacia Woodcock, PharmDStacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.
References
Abushamat, L. A., et al. (2024). The emerging role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Aroda, V. R., et al. (2023). Efficacy and safety of once-daily oral semaglutide 25 mg and 50 mg compared with 14 mg in adults with Type 2 diabetes (PIONEER PLUS): a multicentre, randomised, phase 3b trial. The Lancet.
Beasley, D. (2023). Lilly experimental 'triple G' obesity drug leads to 24.2% weight loss in trial. Reuters.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. (2024). Changes coming for select weight loss drugs for some commercial members.
Boehringer Ingelheim. (2023). Boehringer Ingelheim to advance survodutide into three global Phase III studies in obesity.
Chevron. (2025). New coverage requirements for GLP-1 medications: Chevron prescription drug program.
ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Search results: Substance use | semaglutide. National Library of Medicine.
ClinicalTrials.gov. (2024). A research study investigating semaglutide in people with early Alzheimer's disease (EVOKE). National Library of Medicine.
ClinicalTrials.gov. (2024). A research study to see how well CagriSema helps people with Type 2 diabetes and excess body weight lose weight (REDEFINE 2). National Library of Medicine.
ClinicalTrials.gov. (2024). A research study to see how well CagriSema compared to Tirzepatide helps people with obesity lose weight. National Library of Medicine.
ClinicalTrials.gov. (2024). REDEFINE 3: A research study to see the effects of CagriSema in people living with diseases in the heart and blood vessels (REDEFINE 3). National Library of Medicine.
ClinicalTrials.gov. (2024). Role of semaglutide in restoring ovulation in youth and adults with polycystic ovary syndrome (RESTORE). National Library of Medicine.
ClinicalTrials.gov. (2025). A research study to see how well CagriSema helps people with excess body weight lose weight (REDEFINE 1). National Library of Medicine.
Cubanski, J., et al. (2024). A new use for Wegovy opens the door to medicare coverage for millions of people with obesity. KFF.
D’Ascanio, A. M., et al. (2024). Cagrilintide: A long-acting amylin analog for the treatment of obesity. Cardiology in Review.
Dehestani, B., et al. (2021). Amylin as a future obesity treatment. Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.
Drugs@FDA. (2024). Abbreviated new drug application 206697. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2024). Lilly's Tirzepatide reduced the risk of worsening heart failure events by 38% in adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity. PR Newswire.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2024). Lilly's Tirzepatide was superior to placebo for MASH resolution, and more than half of patients achieved improvement in fibrosis at 52 weeks.
Fick, M., et al. (2024). Novo Nordisk shares plunge after CagriSema obesity drug trial disappoints. Reuters.
Garvey, W. T., et al. (2024). Efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide 25 mg in adults with overweight/obesity: The OASIS 4 RCT. Novo Nordisk.
Golla, M. S. G., et al. (2024). Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). StatPearls.
Gregerson, E. (2024). Sandoz plans 2030 US launch for Ozempic generic. Becker’s Hospital Review.
Independence Blue Cross. (2024). Changes coming to weight loss drug coverage benefits, effective January 1, 2025.
Kaiser Permanente. (n.d.). Changes for GLP-1 drugs & other anti-obesity medications in 2025.
Kansteiner, F. (2024). Novo rekindles heart failure hopes for semaglutide with new pooled analysis. Fierce Pharma.
MassHealth. (2024). Upcoming changes to masshealth coverage of weight loss drugs.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Definition & facts of NAFLD & NASH. National Institutes of Health.
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Form 20-F 2022.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). ESSENCE Phase 3 trial results demonstrating statistically significant and superior improvements with semaglutide 2.4 mg in people with MASH presented at AASLD 2024 - The Liver Meeting. PR Newswire.
Perkovic, V., et al. (2024). Effects of semaglutide on chronic kidney disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Reuters. (2024). Eli Lilly exec expects obesity pill data in April 2025.
Temporelli, P. L. (2024). Role of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists in obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. European Heart Journal Supplements.
The White House. (2024). Fact sheet: Biden-Harris Administration takes latest step to lower prescription drug costs by proposing expanded coverage of anti-obesity medications for Americans with Medicare and Medicaid.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA approves first generic of once-daily GLP-1 injection to lower blood sugar in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA approves first medication for obstructive sleep apnea.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems specifically in adults with obesity or overweight.
Viking Therapeutics. (2024). Viking Therapeutics reports new data from VK2735 obesity program at ObesityWeek 2024. PR Newswire.
Zheng, Z., et al. (2024). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor: mechanisms and advances in therapy. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
