First came penicillin (1928) which cured many serious bacterial infections and stopped syphilis in its tracks. Then followed the genius of Jonas Salk and his polio vaccine (1955) which saved millions of children’s lives. In 1987, came the introduction of the HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, better known as statins, which reduced heart attacks and sudden cardiac death by significant percentages. Then, in the 21st Century, especially in the past 20 years, we have been witness to the ever-increasing uses for Glucaon-Like Peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) originally introduced for the treatment of poorly-controlled diabetes.
As information on GLP-1’s evolves, and as they are prescribed more and more, doctors are learning additional effective uses for the drug class that have expanded their use and made GLP-1’s drugs that are truly miraculous. In fact, a Medscape Medical News article from April 7, 2025, described at least 14 uses for, or benefits of, GLP-1’s that make this drug class the newest candidate for inclusion in the public water supply.
GLP-1’s were invented in 1983 but were not approved by the FDA until 2005. Eli Lilly introduced the first of these—an injectable drug called Byetta (exanetide) for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It worked by “enhancing insulin secretion” (it gives the pancreatic Beta cells a boost), and by reducing the secretion of glucagon, a hormone produced by the liver that increases the blood sugar. Diabetes was the indication then for ten (10) additional GLP-1’s. They are:
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus)
Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon)
Lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
We all know well, that as they came into more frequent use, GLP-1’s were discovered to cause a weight loss of 15-25%. This “side effect” catapulted GLP-1’s into extreme popularity and unsustainable demand. They work by causing patients to feel full and lose their appetite. During eating, emptying of the stomach is delayed causing a full feeling. You eat less so you lose weight. GLP-1’s also suppress the appetite centers in the brain reducing caloric intake. This helps treat both diabetes and obesity. On the negative side, GLP-1’s have known to cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and bowel obstruction, and should be used with caution.
Because of the previous positive effects, GLP-1’s have shown reduced major cardiovascular events—heart attack and stroke—mostly from weight loss In patients without diabetes. Related conditions such as hypertension and sleep apnea are helped as well.
GLP-1’s have an anti-inflammatory effect, which has shown a “clear anti-atherosclerotic effect” with less arterial stiffness and more dilation of vessels. These are positives. They also positively impact lipid (cholesterol) metabolism by lowering triglycerides and total cholesterol.
Patients with heart failure enjoy a better quality of life because GLP-1’s improve left ventricular ejection fraction (the pumping of the left ventricle). They also have better exercise tolerance and fewer hospitalizations for heart problems.
In a strange twist, The New England Journal of Medicine reported that semaglutide reduces the pain of osteoarthritis in the knee, better than placebo. Weight loss and anti-inflammatory effects seem to be the reason.
Similarly, the anti-inflammatory affects of GLP-1’s seem to improve psoriasis. And the anti-diabetic effects are protective of the kidneys which are often damaged by diabetes. The same is true for the protection afforded to liver cells, often damaged and scarred by fat deposits—called steatohepatitis.
Less well known effects are the improvement in neuronal function caused by the anti-inflammatory properties of GLP-1’s. They also reduce “brain damage” found in patients with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases, and enhance cognitive function by protecting neurons affected by dopamine.
Just as GLP-1’s reduce appetite, they also reduce craving for addictive substances such as alcohol and drugs by similar affects on dopamine. This also results in improved depression and mood disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea is affected also with less hypoxemia, and improved sleep quality being the benefits, and even COPD patients report improved quality of life.
Gastrointestinal problems can be the undoing of GLP-1’s. Nausea (25%-50%), vomiting (10%-15%), diarrhea (8%-15%), and constipation are troublesome and deter patients from adherence. Patients with gallstones, gall bladder problems, or history of pancreatitis are at risk of worse problems if GLP-1’s are used and caution is advised.
I can’t think of any drug class that has as many uses as are reported for GLP-1receptor agonists. From diabetes and weight loss to lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. From psoriasis to chronic kidney disease and from sleep apnea to liver problems. This drug class certainly fulfills my criteria to be classed as a miracle drug. Every time you read about GLP-1’s, a new indication is being mentioned. Someone has accidentally found another problem for which GLP-1’s can be used, and used effectively. AMAZING. Since they are injectable drugs, it won’t work to put them in the water. But maybe we could have people go to Walgreen’s, CVS, the grocery, or the “injecting station” once a week for their shot. Then we would all be slender, have normal blood sugar, and feel a whole lot better.
References: Novak S. “When to prescribe GLP-1’s? Earlier might be better.” Medscape Medical News 2025 April 3.
Swift D. “Intermittent Fasting Outperforms Daily Calorie Cutting for Weight Loss” Medscape Medical News 2025 April 2.
Bernardo MM. “What else can GLP-1 drugs do for your patients?” Medscape Medical News 2025 April 7.
Amazing