News

Off-label GLP-1 prescribing in kids aged 8-11 rose 310-fold since 2019

GLP-1 prescribing in children aged 8-11 with obesity increased 310-fold, from 0.03% in 2019 to 9.3% in 2026, despite lack of FDA approval for this age group.“Prescribing GLP-1 receptor agonists to children ages 8 to 11 years with obesity surged 310-fold since 2019, despite a lack of FDA approval in kids under 12, a large cross-sectional analysis ”

Only 20,282 children with obesity (0.6%) received a GLP-1 prescription across the entire study period.“Just 20,282 children with obesity (0.6%) received a GLP-1 prescription across the entire study period, they noted in Pediatrics .”

Nearly 94% of children prescribed a GLP-1 drug had severe obesity, defined as more than 120% of the 95th percentile on sex-specific CDC growth charts.“Nearly 94% of children prescribed a GLP-1 drug had severe obesity (>120% of the 95th percentile on sex-specific CDC growth charts).”

GLP-1 prescriptions rose faster in adults with serious mental illness, study finds

Among adults with SMI, GLP-1 prescription rates rose from 2.3% in 2018 to 13.7% in 2024, compared with 1.8% to 11.1% among adults without SMI.“Adults with SMI: 2.3% in 2018 to 13.7% in 2024 Adults without SMI: 1.8% in 2018 to 11.1% in 2024”

Among adults with diabetes, those with schizophrenia had lower GLP-1 prescription rates (3.4% in 2018 to 19.4% in 2024) than those without SMI (4.5% in 2018 to 23.1% in 2024).“those with schizophrenia had lower GLP-1 prescription rates (rising from 3.4% in 2018 to 19.4% in 2024) than those without SMI (4.5% in 2018 to 23.1% in 2024)”

By January 2026, the FDA requested that manufacturers remove suicidal behavior and ideation warning language from GLP-1 drug labels entirely.“extensive safety evaluations ultimately prompted the agency by January 2026 to request that manufacturers remove suicidal behavior and ideation warning language from GLP-1 drug labels entire”

FDA expands Mounjaro label; drug coverage and access shifts reported

The FDA expanded tirzepatide (Mounjaro)'s indication to include reducing risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes.“The FDA expanded the indication for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) to include reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes, Eli Lilly announced.”

CVS and Walgreens have each filled roughly 100,000 prescriptions for $50-a-month obesity medications under Medicare's Bridge program.“CVS and Walgreens have each filled roughly 100,000 prescriptions for $50-a-month obesity medications under Medicare's Bridge program.”

A survey from the Business Group on Health found roughly 14% of large employers said they already dropped or plan to drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs next year.“Roughly 14% of large employers said they already dropped or plan to drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs next year, according to a survey from the Business Group on Health.”

Lilly: Taltz-Zepbound combo sustained psoriatic disease, weight gains at 1 year

In TOGETHER-PsO, 30.6% of participants on combination therapy vs. 4.4% on monotherapy achieved PASI 100 plus 10%+ weight loss by week 52, according to the release.“In TOGETHER-PsO, 30.6% of participants who received combination therapy vs. 4.4% who received monotherapy achieved the primary multicomponent endpoint of PASI 100 and a 10% or greater reduct”

In TOGETHER-PsA, 39.2% of the combination group vs. 1.7% of the monotherapy group achieved 50%+ reduction in psoriatic arthritis activity (ACR50) plus 10%+ weight loss by week 52, per the release.“In TOGETHER-PsA, 39.2% of the combination group vs. 1.7% of the monotherapy group achieved the primary outcome of 50% or greater reduction in psoriatic arthritis disease activity based on Am”

TOGETHER-PsO enrolled 274 adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and TOGETHER-PsA enrolled 271 adults with active psoriatic arthritis, per the trials described in the release.“TOGETHER-PsO enrolled 274 adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and TOGETHER-PsA enrolled 271 adults with active psoriatic arthritis.”

Study links GLP-1 drug use in youth to higher gallbladder, biliary risks

In a retrospective TriNetX analysis of over 37,000 adolescents and young adults with overweight or obesity, GLP-1 drug use was associated with increased risk of biliary colic (RR 1.62) and cholecystectomy (RR 1.39) compared with matched controls, but not cholecystitis.“GLP-1 drug use was associated with increased risks of biliary colic (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.28-2.04, P <0.001) and cholecystectomy (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04-1.87, P =0.03) compared with matched co”

The researchers, led by Joséilio Rodrigues de Oliveira Filho of Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, published the findings in a JAMA Pediatrics research letter.“reported Josélio Rodrigues de Oliveira Filho, MD, of Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues”

In the STEP TEENS trial, 4% of participants in the semaglutide (Wegovy) arm developed acute gallbladder disease compared with none in the placebo arm.“4% of participants in the semaglutide (Wegovy) arm developed acute gallbladder disease compared with none in the placebo arm”

Studies link GLP-1 drugs to lower TB and infection risks in diabetics

In an international study of more than 7 million people, type 2 diabetes patients taking a GLP-1 drug were less likely to develop TB compared with those on DPP-4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, metformin, and SGLT2 inhibitors.“In an international study of more than 7 million people, type 2 diabetes patients taking a GLP-1 drug were less likely to develop TB compared with those on other antidiabetic medications, in”

A BMJ-published cohort study of over 50,000 U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease found tirzepatide was associated with a 0.40 hazard ratio for infection-related mortality compared with sitagliptin.“the cohort study of over 50,000 U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease found that tirzepatide was associated with substantially lower 1-year risks for va”

Chih-Cheng Lai, MD, and colleagues concluded that GLP-1 receptor agonists may confer additional advantages in lowering infection risk beyond their metabolic benefits.“"These findings suggest that beyond their established metabolic benefits, GLP-1 receptor agonists may confer additional advantages in lowering infection risk," Chih-Cheng Lai, MD, of Chi Mei”

Study finds no higher respiratory risk with liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, naltrexone-bupropion

A meta-analysis found no increased risk for respiratory adverse events with liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide or naltrexone-bupropion compared to placebo.“Among individuals using liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide or naltrexone-bupropion, the risk for respiratory adverse events did not differ from placebo, according to findings published in”

The researchers examined 122 studies, including 116 randomized controlled trials, to assess respiratory adverse event risk across weight-loss medications versus placebo.“Saldanha, Zeng and colleagues examined 122 studies (116 randomized controlled trials, two pooled analyses, two large single-group studies, one comparative study and one nonrandomized control”

Researchers Zeng and Saldanha said evidence specifically addressing people with asthma was very limited, representing an evidence gap.“There was very limited evidence specifically addressing people with asthma”

Danish study: 49% stopped semaglutide within a year, 25% restarted

Among 157,822 first-time semaglutide initiators without diabetes in Denmark, 49% discontinued treatment by 12 months, defined as a prescription gap of 60 or more days.“Among 157,822 first-time semaglutide initiators without diabetes, 49% discontinued treatment by 12 months, defined as a prescription gap of 60 or more days.”

One in four people who discontinued semaglutide restarted therapy within 3 months.“one in four discontinuers restarted therapy within 3 months”

After stopping semaglutide, few patients filled prescriptions for alternative obesity GLP-1 drugs, such as liraglutide (1.4%) or tirzepatide (0.7%).“few patients filled prescriptions for alternative GLP-1 drugs indicated for obesity, such as liraglutide (Saxenda; 1.4%) or tirzepatide (Zepbound; 0.7%)”

FDA approves Mounjaro to cut cardiovascular risk in adults with diabetes

The FDA approved tirzepatide for reduction of cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes.“The FDA has approved tirzepatide for reduction of cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes, Eli Lilly announced.”

The approval was based on data from the SURPASS-CVOT trial, in which tirzepatide was noninferior to dulaglutide for major adverse cardiovascular events, with an estimated 8% lower risk compared with dulaglutide.“tirzepatide was noninferior to dulaglutide (Trulicity, Eli Lilly), a GLP-1 with proven CV benefits, for major adverse CV events in adults with diabetes, with an estimated 8% lower risk compa”

The company stated that in SURPASS-CVOT, safety and tolerability of tirzepatide were consistent with previous studies, with most adverse events being gastrointestinal, mild to moderate, and occurring during dose escalation.“In SURPASS-CVOT, safety and tolerability of tirzepatide were consistent with previous studies of the drug, with most adverse events being gastrointestinal in nature, mild to moderate and occ”

Study: GLP-1 drugs linked to lower mortality in serious mental illness

In a target trial emulation of 195,184 propensity score-matched pairs of adults with serious mental illness, GLP-1 drug initiators had a 24% lower 4-year mortality risk than SGLT2 inhibitor initiators.“Among 195,184 propensity score-matched pairs of adults with SMI, GLP-1 drug initiators had a 24% lower 4-year mortality risk compared with SGLT2 inhibitor initiators (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.74-0.”

Roger McIntyre and colleagues reported the findings in JAMA Psychiatry, based on TriNetX electronic health record data through March 2026.“Roger McIntyre, MD, of the University of Toronto, and colleagues reported in JAMA Psychiatry”

The study found the mortality-reducing association was largely driven by reduced cardiovascular outcomes, seen only with newer GLP-1 agents like semaglutide and tirzepatide, while older GLP-1 drugs showed no consistent survival advantage over SGLT2 inhibitors.“Older GLP-1 drugs -- dulaglutide (Trulicity), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon), lixisenatide (Adlyxin), and albiglutide (now discontinued) -- showed no consistent”

Retrospective study links GLP-1 drugs to higher UC remission rates

In a retrospective cohort study of 300 ulcerative colitis patients, liraglutide or semaglutide use was associated with 66.7% remission at 12 weeks vs 25.3% for non-use.“use of liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) or semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) for metabolic indications was associated with higher remission rates compared with no use at 4 weeks (34.7% vs 15.3%, P”

After adjustment for multiple factors, GLP-1 drug use was independently associated with symptomatic remission (adjusted OR 5.90).“the use of GLP-1 drugs was strongly and independently associated with symptomatic remission (adjusted OR 5.90, 95% CI 3.52-9.86, P <0.001)”

The study found weight loss was not independently associated with remission in the multivariable analysis.“a multivariable analysis adjusting for age, sex, baseline disease activity, obesity, and diabetes status showed that weight loss was not independently associated with remission (adjusted OR ”

Survey: 14% of large employers may drop GLP-1 drug coverage in 2027

About 14% of large employers say they either have already dropped or plan to drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs next year, according to a survey from the Business Group on Health.“About 14% of large employers say they either have already dropped or plan to drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs next year and that healthcare could account for 9.2% of costs in 2027, according to ”

The same survey found healthcare could account for 9.2% of costs in 2027.“healthcare could account for 9.2% of costs in 2027, according to a survey from the Business Group on Health”

Survey: 14% of US employers dropping or planning to drop GLP-1 coverage in 2027

About 14% of U.S. employers have already dropped or plan to drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs in 2027, according to a survey by the Business Group on Health cited by Reuters.“About 14% of employers in the U.S. have already or plan to drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs in 2027, as companies see ​rising health care costs , Reuters notes, citing a survey by the Business G”

The share of employers covering GLP-1 weight loss drugs dropped from 72% in 2025 to 60% in 2026.“the share of employers ​covering GLP-1 weight loss ⁠drugs dropped from 72% in 2025 to 60% in 2026.”

PepsiCo is dropping GLP-1 coverage, according to Bloomberg News.“PepsiCo, for example, is dropping coverage, says Bloomberg News .”

Medicare's $50 GLP-1 pilot excludes patients with certain diagnosed conditions

The $50 price under the Medicare Bridge program applies only to people using the drug solely for weight loss, not those with a qualifying medical condition.“The $50 price under Bridge applies only to people using the drug solely for weight loss.”

Jeff La Marca's application to the Bridge program was denied because he has severe obstructive sleep apnea, one of the excluding diagnoses.“La Marca has severe obstructive sleep apnea, one of several diagnoses that exclude patients from the Bridge program's $50 monthly price.”

Juliette Cubanski of KFF estimated that 3.8 million people qualify for the program, and that costs could range from about $3.3 billion to $10 billion depending on enrollment.“Cubanski has estimated that 3.8 million people qualify and that, if a quarter of them enroll in Bridge and remain on treatment for the program's full 18 months, it will cost Medicare about $”