At the same time, it tells the pancreas to make less glucagon, cutting down spikes in blood sugar
While most are approved for the management of type 2 diabetes, some formulations, such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), have also been approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight
Use our tirzepatide dosage calculator for exact measurements, and see our full tirzepatide dosage chart for the complete clinical titration schedule
A widely discussed French nationwide case-control study by Bezin and colleagues, published in Diabetes Care in 2023, reported an association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and thyroid cancer, with roughly a 50 to 60 percent relative increase in risk among people with one to three years of cumulative use

If you are experiencing problems with alcohol or substance use , you should: Contact your GP to discuss your concerns in a confidential, non-judgemental setting Access specialist addiction services through NHS referral pathways or organisations such as Turning Point, We Are With You, or Alcoholics Anonymous Consider evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and where appropriate, licensed pharmacotherapies Visit NHS support pages for alcohol support (www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support) or drug addiction help (www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help) Contact FRANK (www.talktofrank.com) for confidential drug information and advice If you are already taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist for diabetes or weight management and notice changes in your substance use patterns: Inform your prescribing clinician about any changes you observe Do not alter your medication regimen without medical supervision Continue with your prescribed treatment plan for your licensed indication Seek appropriate addiction support through established pathways if needed Important safety advice: Never obtain GLP-1 medications from unregulated sources or online pharmacies without proper medical oversight These medications require careful dose titration and monitoring for adverse effects Self-medication for addiction is potentially dangerous and may delay access to effective treatments Report any suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk) When to seek medical attention: Call 999 for life-threatening symptoms Contact NHS 111 for urgent medical advice when your GP is unavailable Seek immediate medical help for severe, persistent abdominal pain (potential pancreatitis) Signs of allergic reaction (rash, difficulty breathing, facial swelling) Symptoms of severe hypoglycaemia if taking other diabetes medications Any concerning symptoms or medication side effects Whilst research into GLP-1 receptor agonists and addiction continues, patients deserve access to proven, evidence-based treatments

Its one of the tools we use in regenerative medicine to help your body repair itself more efficiently