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GLP-1 and GIP agonists in diabetes and obesity and the rise of dyspepsia.

Intern Emerg Med · 2025

Last updated 2026-05-28

GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP drugs like tirzepatide improve blood sugar control and help with weight loss and heart health in people with type 2 diabetes or obesity. However, these drugs also cause digestive issues such as indigestion or stomach discomfort in many users, with some experiencing ongoing problems that may lead to misdiagnosis or stopping treatment early.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalIntern Emerg Med, 2025
Citations2
Molecules
Conditions studied Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonists, such as tirzepatide, have transformed the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity through durable glycemic control, weight reduction, and cardiovascular protection. However, their widespread use has revealed a high incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events, particularly dyspepsia and gastroparesis-like symptoms. While most effects are transient, a significant subset of patients develop persistent intolerance, often leading to misdiagnosis, unnecessary investigations, or premature treatment discontinuation. Current therapeutic options remain limited, with guidelines offering little direction for managing symptoms, in this subset of dyspeptic patients. This growing clinical challenge highlights the urgent need for structured strategies, including risk stratification, tailored dose titration, and multidisciplinary care, to balance metabolic efficacy with gastrointestinal tolerability.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 40975854 ↗