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Does GLP-RA Plus an SGLT2 Inhibitor Yield Greater Weight Loss in Patients with Obesity and Diabetes than Monotherapy?

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

With the rate of obesity increasing in the USA, effective and safe medications for weight loss are more important than ever in patient care. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-RA) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are two medication for type 2 diabetes that have shown benefit in randomized control trials for not just diabetes but weight loss and lowering cardiovascular and renal risks. These novel medications have continued to show benefits in weight loss in randomized control trials. A literature review was conducted to determine the impact of GLP-RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors as combination therapy for weight loss in patients with diabetes. Another purpose of this review was to define a specific patient population that would potentially benefit from both a GLP-RA and SGLT2 for weight loss.

Recent Findings

Several monotherapy trials for GLP-RA and SGLT2 inhibitors have shown positive weight loss reductions along with hemoglobin A1c reductions (HbA1c) and other metabolic parameters. Several studies of combination therapy with a GLP-RA plus an SGLT2 inhibitor have shown greater weight loss than just monotherapy with either agent.

Summary

There are many promising studies that show significant weight loss from monotherapy and combination therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Further randomized control trials are needed to identify which patients would benefit most from combination therapy.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospitals, 9485 Mentor Ave Suite 210, Mentor, OH, 44060, USA

    Caraline Watkins

  2. Walgreens, Brunswick, OH, USA

    Zoe Schilling

  3. Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, School of Medicine, University Hospitals Medical Group, Case Western Reserve University, OH, Cleveland, USA

    Kevin Kawalec & Darrell Hulisz

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  1. Caraline Watkins
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Correspondence to Caraline Watkins.

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Watkins, C., Schilling, Z., Kawalec, K. et al. Does GLP-RA Plus an SGLT2 Inhibitor Yield Greater Weight Loss in Patients with Obesity and Diabetes than Monotherapy?. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 17, 155–165 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-023-00724-3

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