Jack of All Trades: GLP-1 medications
By Katie (Prater) Kirby, Student Pharmacist and Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist
Jack of All Trades was released on March 6, 2012 by Bruce Springsteen. You may not be familiar with this song unless you are a true fan of “the Boss.” This song is considered in the folk-rock genre and was on his seventeenth album.
“Jack of all trades” is a saying implying someone who has skills in different areas. The newer GLP-1 medications may qualify as such.
The GLP-1s include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and the combination of GLP-1/GIP drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). Studies are evaluating their potential benefits beyond managing diabetes and weight loss. These areas include rheumatic disease, cancer and addiction.
Rheumatic diseases include gout, varying types of arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia. The impact of rheumatic diseases has led researchers to look at new treatments.
A recent study evaluated the benefit of GLP-1s specifically in psoriatic arthritis but considered other rheumatic diseases. The researcher acknowledged obesity as a risk factor for psoriatic arthritis and making it difficult to maintain a treatment response. The thought behind using GLP-1s is they help manage obesity, but GLP-1s provide additional anti-inflammatory properties. The reduction in inflammation and swelling provided by GLP-1s provided benefit in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. More research is needed.
A study published in JAMA Network looked at how GLP-1s can help prevent cancers linked to obesity. The study involved people with type 2 diabetes who had no history of cancer. They were treated with either a GLP-1, insulin, or metformin during the study, which are used for treating diabetes. The researchers focused on 13 different obesity-associated cancers, including esophageal, colon, pancreatic, gallbladder, kidney, liver, ovarian and skin cancers. The study reported those taking GLP-1s had a lower risk of developing some of these cancers compared to those taking insulin or metformin. GLP-1s were better at reducing the risk of cancer for 10 out of the 13 cancers.
Although more research is needed on how the use of GLP-1s can reduce the risk of cancer, the study is a blueprint for future research. It is important to note this study focused on preventing cancer, but not the impact GLP-1s may have on existing cancers. This means although the medication may help lower the risk of obesity-related cancers, losing weight and managing diabetes plays a role in reducing these cancers.
From 2020 to 2021, there was a 16% rise in drug overdoses in the US and 178,000 Americans are estimated to die each year due to excessive alcohol consumption. With this rise in cases, researchers are diving deeper into finding alternative treatments for substance use disorder (SUD). SUD may be an addiction related to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or other substances.
One of the medications being researched is the GLP-1s. Multiple studies have evaluated the potential impact on SUD.
One study in 2024 reported individuals given a GLP-1/GIP showed significantly lower rates of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication compared to those with no medication. It is thought these medications impact the brain’s processing for rewards and motivational behaviors. Another study discussed how individuals afflicted with SUD use multiple substances at one time. This, along with limited treatments for each specific substance, makes it difficult to find a treatment for each patient. With the use of GLP-1s, the hope is the impact on reward processing may help to better manage multiple SUD with one medication.
While GLP-1s or GLP-1/GIP may not be a cure all, they seem to be a jack of all trades!
ONU HealthWise offers the shingles vaccine along with flu, COVID-19 and other vaccinations. The pharmacy is open 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 2:00-6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Tornado Watch issued for Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties at 9:15 p.m. on April 2
- Flood Warning issued for Allen County at 11:03 a.m.
- Pirate tennis loss at Elida
- Pirate softball loses opener to Ada
- Pirate baseball falls to Ada
- Allen County will not test warning sirens on April 2
- March 2025 land transfers in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District
- April 22 crash report shows driver hit N. Dixie home
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll announced for 3rd quarter of 2024-2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Obituary for Betty C. Mumaugh
- Leo Club supports Bluffton Clean Up
- Wind, rain and potential flooding for April 2
- Grandey to major in education, play basketball at John Carroll
- Pirate tennis blanks Bath
- Pirate baseball sweeps opening twin bill vs. Pandora-Gilboa
- “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God” reader's theater, April 13
- Easter Cantata performed on April 13 in Pandora