GLP-1 medications have multiple different mechanisms in the body that help with diabetes and weight loss, including: Increasing the amount of insulin made by the pancreas , which helps control blood sugar in patients with diabetes Decreasing the amount of excess sugar made by the pancreas , which helps control blood sugar in patients with diabetes Slowing down digestion from the stomach , which results in feeling full for longer after eating Signaling to your brain that you are full after eating , which helps suppress appetite and control cravings Tirzepatide contains an extra mechanism of action that other GLP-1 medications do not, known as GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) agonism
GLP-1 receptors are found in non-neoplastic pancreatic islet cells, duodenal glands, stomach, breast tissue, lung and kidney vasculature, and brain tissue
If NAION is confirmed, treatment with semaglutide should be stopped
But patients will need careful monitoring to make sure the weight they lose is mostly fat, not muscle
People who did not get the weight reduction they wanted with semaglutide or tirzepatide can get this too
Rodbard HW, Bode BW, Harris SB, et al