Dual GLP-1/Glucagon Agonists (Survodutide): A Bridge Between Obesity and Liver Disease
Introduction For decades, obesity and liver disease have been treated as separate epidemics. One has been measured by the scale, the other by liver enzymes and biopsies. Yet biology tells a different story: metabolic dysfunction lies at the heart of both. Now, a new class of therapies seeks to unite these worlds. Survodutide, developed by […]
New-Wave Combo Therapies: Amylin + GLP-1 (CagriSema) and “Triple” Agonists
Introduction For years, GLP-1 receptor agonists have dominated the weight-loss landscape, transforming the treatment of obesity from lifestyle counselling into a pharmacologic success story. Drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have proven that hormonal manipulation of appetite and metabolism can achieve double-digit reductions in body weight, levels once thought possible only through bariatric surgery. Yet […]
Quality of Weight Loss: Preserving Muscle during GLP-1 Therapy
This emerging issue has given rise to a new metric in obesity care, namely, the quality of weight loss. The arrival of powerful GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide has redefined what medicine can achieve in weight management. Double-digit weight loss once reserved for bariatric surgery is now possible with weekly injections. Yet […]
Medicare/Medicaid and Anti-Obesity Drugs: What Will Actually Be Covered in 2025–2026
For Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, the stakes are especially high. These programs cover more than 100 million Americans combined, many of whom live with obesity and related complications such as diabetes and heart disease. Obesity remains one of the most pressing health challenges in the United States, affecting more than 40% of adults and contributing […]
Obesity Burden in the US: Latest CDC Maps and Trends
Introduction Obesity continues to be one of the most urgent public health concerns in the United States, shaping the trajectory of chronic disease, healthcare spending, and quality of life for millions of adults and children. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) […]
Oral GLP-1: The Pill Race
Introduction For the past few years, few therapeutic classes have disrupted medicine as profoundly as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, these drugs, namely, semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, have redefined the treatment of obesity by helping millions lose double-digit percentages of body weight and improve cardiometabolic health. Yet the success of […]
Gray Market and GLP-1 Compounding: FDA Position After Supply Stabilization
Introduction The explosive demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide has reshaped obesity and diabetes care in the United States. Yet the popularity of these medications far outpaced manufacturing capacity from 2022 through 2024, leading to persistent shortages. During this period, compounding pharmacies stepped into the gap, offering customized or off-label formulations […]
Regulatory Pressure on “Compounded” GLP-1s and Safety
For much of 2023–2024, global demand for GLP-1–based weight-loss medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide far exceeded supply. With branded products like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro back-ordered for months, a shadow market of “compounded” or “off-brand” versions emerged almost overnight. Specialty pharmacies and telehealth start-ups began selling vials, prefilled syringes, or even oral mixtures under […]
Commercial Insurance: What Are ‘Non-Metabolic’ Indications Shifting?
Introduction For years, commercial health insurers have hesitated to cover anti-obesity drugs, often labeling them as “lifestyle” treatments rather than true medical therapy. Patients who wanted access to new medications like Wegovy or Zepbound often faced denials, high out-of-pocket costs, or restrictive prior authorization rules. That picture is now beginning to change, thanks to a […]
New FDA indications: How they change access to anti-obesity drugs
Introduction Obesity is no longer viewed solely as a lifestyle problem; it is increasingly recognized as a chronic disease with multiple comorbidities that demand long-term medical management. The rapid rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), has transformed treatment expectations by offering both clinically significant weight loss and measurable improvements in […]
