Vnitr Lek 2025, 71(8):E14-E21

Current trends in pharmacotherapy of overweight and obesity

Anna Ürgeová, Miriam Kozárová

IV. interná klinika UPJŠ LF a UNLP, Košice, Slovensko

Obesity is a chronic, progressive, often relapsing disease with numerous metabolic, physical, and psychological complications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have emerged as a pivotal therapeutic class in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), demonstrating remarkable efficacy not only in glycemic control, but also in weight reduction. GLP-1RAs act as incretin mimetics, i.e. enhancers of the incretin effect. GLP-1, an incretin hormone secreted from the gut after food intake, stimulates insulin release from pancreatic islet β-cells in a glucose-dependent manner. The incretin effect is often impaired in patients with type 2 diabetes. The effects of GLP-1 RAs extend beyond glucose metabolism and include modulation of glucagon secretion, decreased appetite and food intake, delayed gastric motility and emptying, inhibition of β-cell apoptosis of the Langerhans islets, and improved β-cell function. While GLP-1 RA therapy is already part of clinical practice, a new challenge is emerge of dual and triple agonists in overweight and obesity therapy and the safety issues associated with their use.

Keywords: dual agonist, GIP, GLP1-RA, incretin effect, obesity, triple agonist

Accepted: November 26, 2025; Published: December 15, 2025  Show citation