United States: All over the world, semaglutide and tirzepatide, among other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, have gained increasing popularity as modern medications.
The medical reports indicate that 2-3 percent of Americans already use these drugs.
More about the news
The findings from JP Morgan Research expect that GLP-1 agonists will reach 30 million users, which represents 9 percent of the United States population, by 2030.
These medications attain worldwide popularity because they show outstanding results in weight loss, type 2 diabetes, blood sugar control, and obstructive sleep apnea management.
Public support for weekly subcutaneous injections plays a part in enhancing their widespread use.
As per the indicanews.com reports, these drugs are also sometimes referred to as “nutrient-stimulated hormone-based therapies.”
One drug, dual benefits
These medications, which originally served diabetes treatment purposes, have gained prominence as weight loss medication because they enhance insulin output and slow down stomach digestion.
Tirzepatide demonstrates superior drug characteristics because it activates both the GLP-1 receptor and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor.
A recent Nature Medicine study determined GLP-1 agonists possess protective impacts toward reducing risk factors for substance use disorders alongside suicidal ideation and schizophrenia as well as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, clotting disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and liver diseases.
Side-effects of these drugs
The medications come with several adverse effects. Several complications, including constipation, heartburn, decreased appetite, diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal pain, and gastroparesis, frequently cause discomfort in patients.
The drug can cause serious side effects ranging from allergic reactions to blood pressure decrease to fainting events to sleep disturbances to gall bladder problems and kidney stones together with kidney inflammation, pancreatitis, and low blood pressure that result in fainting episodes and hypoglycemia with allergic reactions, indicanews.com reported.
The authors of a recent scientific article disclosed the existence of a rare eye problem, nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which could cause blindness.
Less weight loss medications have a temporary impact on body mass because patients often recover their initial weight after discontinuing these drugs.