Smith SA, Ogawa SA, Chau L, Whelan KA, Hamilton KE, Chen J, et al
These drugs bind to the GLP-1 receptor and: Lower blood sugar by increasing insulin and reducing glucagon Slow gastric emptying Reduce appetite and food cravings Support clinically significant weight loss in many people They are commonly prescribed for: Type 2 diabetes Obesity or overweight with weight-related health risks Trials suggest GLP-1 agonists can reduce body weight by around 5 to 18 per cent on average, often with improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol and other cardiometabolic markers
Cancer 125 , 340352 (2019)
In June 2026 the MHRA approved the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide 25 mg), the first oral GLP-1 medicine licensed in the UK specifically for weight management
significant drops at 1,000+ units are common