A new study finds children and teens with obesity or diabetes who take GLP-1 weight-loss medications experience significant improvements in many cardiometabolic risk factors, but long-term safety questions remain.
Do popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs work for children and teens? And are they safe?
A new study is shedding light on the use of these medications in young people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Researchers analyzed data from 18 randomized, clinical trials comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists to placebo in about 1,400 kids ages 6 to 17.
The results: compared to placebo, GLP-1 drugs significantly lowered blood sugar, reduced body weight and BMI, and improved blood pressure.
Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea were more common among those taking GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Rates of depression and suicidal ideation were not significantly different between the two groups, but the researchers say long-term safety remains a critical question.
The authors say for children and adolescents facing obesity or type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications may provide a new and effective option.
But their use will require careful monitoring—and ongoing research—to understand the full picture of long-term safety.
Source: JAMA Pediatrics
Author Affiliations: University of Florida, Gainesville, University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University School of Medicine,
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