Use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and incretin mimetics for type 2 diabetes and obesity: A narrative review.

Abstract

Incretin mimetics, including glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide agonists, have become first-line treatment options for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Their therapeutic status is attributed to their high level of efficacy as well as positive impact on related comorbidities, such as sleep apnea and heart failure. Multiple incretin mimetics are currently available with different durations of drug action, dosing frequencies, and delivery devices. Patients may benefit from education on the proper drug administration, anticipated adverse effects, and nutrition considerations with treatment. Practitioners must monitor progress and support the patient to achieve maintenance doses for optimal weight reduction and diabetes-related outcomes. This review aims to present the current literature supporting US Food and Drug Administration-approved indications of incretin mimetics, equip healthcare professionals to optimize care for patients who are prescribed these agents, and provide insights into potential future applications, which may include dual- or triple-mechanism agents that are injected or administered orally. Additional studies are anticipated with existing and future incretin mimetics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related comorbidities in a rapidly developing therapeutic pipeline.