GLP-1 Drugs: Emerging Benefits Beyond Diabetes and Weight Loss

GLP-1 Drugs Expand Beyond Diabetes and Obesity: Emerging Uses for Chronic Conditions

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, initially developed to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity, are now being studied—and in some cases, approved—for a growing list of chronic conditions. These medications, including semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), are reshaping treatment approaches for diseases linked to inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and weight-related complications.

FDA-Approved Uses Beyond Diabetes and Obesity

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approved uses of GLP-1 drugs to address several serious health conditions:

• Heart disease: In March 2024, Wegovy (semaglutide) became the first GLP-1 medication approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in adults with overweight or obesity.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Ozempic (semaglutide) received FDA approval for delaying CKD progression and lowering the risk of kidney and cardiovascular death in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH): In August 2025, Wegovy was approved to treat adults with MASH and moderate to advanced liver scarring (fibrosis), alongside diet and exercise.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: In December 2024, Zepbound (tirzepatide) became the first medication approved for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Emerging Research on GLP-1s for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases

Beyond these approvals, clinical trials and observational studies are exploring GLP-1 drugs for conditions driven by inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

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Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), an autoimmune disease affecting the skin, joints, and tendons, is exacerbated by obesity. A 36-week clinical trial investigated the combined use of the PsA biologic drug ixekizumab (Taltz) and the GLP-1 tirzepatide (Zepbound) in participants with active PsA and overweight or obesity. The study found that nearly 32% of participants achieved at least a 50% improvement in PsA activity while also losing at least 10% of their body weight. Side effects were mild to moderate, but researchers emphasized the need for longer-term studies to assess sustained benefits.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A retrospective chart review found that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were also overweight or had obesity experienced greater improvements in disease activity and pain when taking GLP-1 drugs, alongside better cardiometabolic markers such as weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. These findings suggest that GLP-1s may offer additional benefits for RA patients with metabolic comorbidities.

Psoriasis

A large U.S. Database study presented at the 2025 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology meeting reported that among people with psoriasis and diabetes or obesity, those taking a GLP-1 had a 78% lower risk of death and a 44% lower risk of major cardiovascular events over two years compared with similar patients taking other diabetes or weight-loss drugs. However, researchers cautioned that this was an observational study, and randomized trials are needed before GLP-1s can be prescribed specifically to treat psoriasis.

Potential Benefits for Metabolic and Hormonal Disorders

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often experience hormonal imbalances, including excess testosterone, which can lead to irregular periods, infertility, and metabolic complications. Studies have shown that GLP-1 drugs, sometimes combined with metformin, help women with PCOS lose weight and improve insulin resistance, high testosterone levels, and menstrual regularity. Some research has also reported improvements in ovulation and pregnancy rates. However, healthcare practitioners do not recommend using GLP-1s for PCOS during pregnancy or while trying to conceive.

Osteoarthritis

Research suggests that GLP-1 drugs may slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Studies have found that people taking these medications lost more weight and underwent fewer knee surgeries compared with those not on GLP-1s. While weight loss is a major factor in these improvements, experts believe that better blood sugar control and reduced inflammation also play a role.

Exploring GLP-1s for Cancer and Addiction

Cancer Prevention

Population studies have found associations between GLP-1 use and reduced risks of several obesity-related cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. However, these studies are observational and cannot prove causation. Experts suggest that weight loss, improved metabolism, and reduced inflammation may contribute to this potential protective effect.

Addiction and Substance Use Disorders

GLP-1 drugs may influence addictive behaviors by acting on the brain’s dopamine reward pathway. Users have anecdotally reported reduced cravings for cigarettes, alcohol, and compulsive activities like shopping or gambling. A 2024 Swedish study linked semaglutide and liraglutide use to fewer hospitalizations for alcohol use disorder. A nine-week randomized trial published in 2025 found that semaglutide reduced alcohol cravings and intake, with some participants also reporting decreased cigarette smoking. However, GLP-1s are not currently FDA-approved for addiction treatment, and more research is needed to understand their mechanisms and long-term effects.

Why GLP-1 Drugs May Have Such Broad Effects

GLP-1 receptors are widely distributed throughout the body, including in the brain, cardiovascular system, immune system, gut, and kidneys. This widespread presence may explain the drugs’ potential to treat a variety of conditions beyond diabetes and obesity.

Diana Isaacs, an endocrine clinical pharmacy specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, noted that these receptors make GLP-1s promising candidates for treating other diseases. These receptors in other areas of the body make it promising to use GLP-1s and similar drugs to treat other conditions, she said.

Jamy Ard, a professor of epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, suggested that many health problems stem from disruptions in insulin resistance and inflammation. I believe these medications have such broad effects because a lot of health problems begin with disruptions in insulin resistance and inflammation, he said. The combination of insulin resistance and inflammation creates an overwhelming biological effect. There is no organ system that is not affected by this internal metabolic environment.

GLP-1 drugs help regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and promote weight loss, which may collectively contribute to their wide-ranging benefits. However, researchers are still working to determine whether these effects are primarily driven by weight loss or by direct actions of the drugs themselves.

Access and Future Directions

As of April 2026, approximately 41 million Americans—about 1 in 8 adults—have used GLP-1 drugs, according to Kim Fisher, director of programs at the UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health. The recent White House deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower the cost of Wegovy and Zepbound may expand access to these medications for people with diabetes and obesity.

Researchers are currently conducting more than 400 clinical trials involving GLP-1 drugs for conditions such as heart disease, stroke, PCOS, and cancer. While the potential of these medications is vast, experts emphasize the need for further research to fully understand their long-term effects, optimal dosing, and mechanisms of action across different diseases.

For now, GLP-1 drugs remain a transformative tool in managing chronic conditions linked to metabolic dysfunction, offering hope for improved outcomes in diseases that have long lacked effective treatments.