GLP-1 agonist-associated presentations to unscheduled care: An opportunistic pilot study.

Br J Clin Pharmacol · 2026

Last updated 2026-05-28

In a small study of 56 adults who took GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 drugs, 79% of their emergency visits were linked to side effects from these medications. Most participants (51 out of 56) were using tirzepatide, with a few using semaglutide or dulaglutide. The study found that people in the poorest and wealthiest neighborhoods were more likely to visit the ER, and many also had depression.

AI summary of the abstract below.

Journal	Br J Clin Pharmacol, 2026
Citations	1
Molecules	—

Abstract

The impact of GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist use on unscheduled care is not well-described. We conducted a prospective, observational study using opportunistic screening by clinicians as a first step to understanding the effect of GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 agonists on Emergency Department presentations and to guide future studies. Data were collected from April to August 2025 at a single centre for any nontrauma adult patient who self-reported GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 agonist exposure. Fifty-six cases were identified, 51 reported tirzepatide use, three subcutaneous semaglutide, one oral semaglutide and one dulaglutide. In 79% of cases (CI95% 66% to 88%), the presenting features were due to GLP-1 or agonist use. Presentations were greatest in the lowest and highest deprivation quintiles and a significant number had coexisting depression. There is a need for formal observational studies to assess the impact of GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 agonists on unscheduled care and explore these tentative associations.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 41204831 ↗