Health · Pharma & Biotech · 2 hrs ago
Experts urge eating-disorder screening before GLP-1 treatment
A group of 45 experts and people with lived experience issued recommendations on GLP-1 drugs and eating disorders after reviewing the issue through a consensus process.
GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are used for Type 2 diabetes and obesity, and can reduce appetite and lead to weight loss.
Some studies suggest these drugs may reduce binge-eating episodes, but the evidence is limited, and one stronger study found no significant reduction compared with a placebo.
The group recommends screening everyone for current or past eating disorders before treatment begins.
It advises avoiding GLP-1 drugs for people with certain current diagnoses, including atypical anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa linked to strict restriction or significant weight suppression, and urges caution for people with a history of these conditions.
Reduced food thoughts do not necessarily mean an eating disorder has improved, and nausea or vomiting may also complicate care for some patients.
The group says treatment should be tailored and monitored, and future research should assess psychological symptoms as well as weight and binge-eating episodes.
A consensus of 45 experts and people with personal experience of eating disorders recommends screening everyone for current or past eating disorders before GLP-1 treatment.
The recommendation received 94.7 percent agreement.
The experts advise avoiding GLP-1 prescriptions for people with certain current eating-disorder diagnoses and using caution for people with a history of them.
The consensus says GLP-1 medicines may help some people with binge-eating disorder, but evidence of benefit remains limited.
Experts say treatment decisions should account for eating-disorder symptoms and psychological factors, not body weight alone.
- Who
- A group of 45 experts and people with personal experience of eating disorders. The recommendations concern people who may receive GLP-1 medicines.
- What
- The group recommends screening for current or past eating disorders before treatment and advises caution in some cases.
- When
- The consensus article was described as recent. A publication date for that article is not stated.
- Where
- The consensus article was published in World Psychiatry.
- Why
- GLP-1 medicines may carry risks for people with eating disorders, including extreme dietary restriction or relapse. The evidence for possible benefit in binge-eating disorder remains limited.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Consensus group
- 45 experts and people with personal experience of eating disorders
- Screening recommendation
- 94.7 percent consensus
- Avoid-prescription recommendation
- 100 percent consensus
- Medicines discussed
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide
- Publication
- World Psychiatry