Prescribing GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss

This Harvard Medical School Continuing Education video examines these key questions: When should GLP-1 receptor agonists be used for weight loss and in what dosage? What cautions should physicians be aware of when prescribing GLP-1 RA?
Dr. Lee-Shing Chang, MD, an endocrinologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, reviews the medical indications and side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists when used for weight loss. Dosing and administration are discussed and contraindications including pregnancy, retinopathy, and hypoglycemia are highlighted.
00:00 | Introduction
00:38 | Indications and contraindications for liragutide and semaglutide in weight loss
03:56 | Administration and dosing of GLP-1 receptor agonists
06:15 | Gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists
07:41 | Future directions for GLP-1 receptor agonists
This video was peer reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Salik, TMD, MHPEd, Instructor of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; and Dr. Sugantha Sundar, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesia, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to validate the quality and accuracy of the content.
References:
Muskiet MHA, Tonneijck L, Smits MM, et al. GLP-1 and the kidney: from physiology to pharmacology and outcomes in diabetes. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2017;13(10):605-628. doi:10.1038/nrneph.2017.123
Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(1):11-22. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1411892
Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, et al. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022;327(2):138-150.
Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1414-1425. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3224
Notice: At this time, the content in this video is not accredited.