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GLP-1 diabetes drugs linked to increased risk of hair loss

Researchers have found a potential side effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes: an increased risk of non-scarring alopecia. The absolute risk is low, but awareness may inform treatment decisions. Rapid weight loss and hormonal changes are thought to be contributing factors.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateJul 22, 2026

Availability of generic semaglutide removes barrier to affordable diabetes care, experts predict

A new study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology predicts that generic semaglutide will dramatically increase cost-effectiveness and health system affordability for patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiorenal risk. The estimated annual cost of providing GLP-1RAs to all indicated patients would be $3.35 to $5.31 billion at pre-g...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 22, 2026

Hormone health climbs the policy agenda as endocrine leaders meet for European Society of Endocrinology’s first Summit of the Presidents

The summit brought together endocrine leaders to identify opportunities to work closely together on increasing the visibility of endocrine health in policy decisions. Early findings from a workforce survey revealed challenges including long patient waiting times and retention concerns among early-career clinicians.

Penn researchers use AI to surface unreported GLP-1 side effects in Reddit posts

Researchers identified patient-reported symptoms associated with GLP-1s, including menstrual changes, fatigue, and temperature-related complaints, that may not be fully captured in clinical trials or drug labeling. Nearly 4% of Reddit users reported reproductive symptoms, and fatigue was the second most common complaint.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 10, 2026

GLP-1 drugs combined with healthy lifestyle habits linked with reduced cardiovascular risk among diabetes patients

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System found that using GLP-1 receptor agonists in combination with adhering to healthy lifestyle habits significantly reduces cardiovascular risk among individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study showed that these two stra...

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Acarbose degradation mechanism guides design of next-generation antidiabetic drug

Researchers revealed the molecular mechanism of acarbose degradation by acarbose-preferred glucosidase, identifying key nucleophiles and substrates. The two-step degradation mechanism involves an M1 intermediate, providing targets for designing novel anti-degradation diabetes therapeutics.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2025

Reduced prediabetes in people who ate broccoli compound

A study by University of Gothenburg researchers found that consuming sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts improved blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes. The compound had a significant effect on fasting blood sugar levels, particularly in those with certain pathophysiological and microbiome characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 13, 2025

Popular diabetes and obesity drugs also protect kidneys, study shows

Researchers found that GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16% and worsening of kidney function by 22%. The combined reduction in risk was 19%, showing a clear benefit on kidney protection. This study expands current knowledge about this class of drugs, highlighting their role in treating patients with chronic...

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 25, 2024

Older adults want to cut back on medication, but study shows need for caution

A new University of Michigan study found that over 82% of Americans aged 50-80 take one or more prescription medications, with 80% open to stopping certain drugs. However, researchers stress the importance of personalized guidance for deprescribing older adults, particularly those taking medication for cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJul 24, 2024

Metformin and other antidiabetic drugs can help reduce the risk of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes

Researchers analyzed over 1.5 million patient records to find that metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors lowered dementia and Alzheimer's disease risks compared to other antidiabetic drugs. The study suggests individualized treatment approaches considering patient-specific factors for optimal diabetes management.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

Promising role of antidiabetic drug in cancer control

Researchers found that metformin increases levels of microRNAs miR-2110 and miR-132-3p, targeting genes PIK3R3 and STMN1 to slow down cancer cell growth and division. This study provides new insights into metformin's molecular mechanisms and its potential as a preventive agent for reducing cancer growth.

SourceFlinders University·JournalCancers·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2024

University of Cincinnati study: Liraglutide safe, effective for weight loss in patients with stable bipolar disorder

A University of Cincinnati study found liraglutide to be efficacious and safe for weight loss in individuals with stable bipolar disorder, without destabilizing the illness. The drug reduced binge eating behavior and significantly lowered hemoglobin A1C levels.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychopharmacology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 4, 2024

Prenatal exposure to GLP-1 receptor agonists and other second-line antidiabetics may not pose greater risk to infants than insulin

A new study found no increased risk of major congenital malformations in infants exposed to second-line non-insulin antidiabetic medications during pregnancy compared to those treated with insulin. The study examined over 3.5 million pregnancies and provided reassurance on the safety of these medications for fetuses.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2023

Purple vegetables and tubers have antidiabetic properties

Acylated anthocyanins found in purple potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots have been shown to reduce type 2 diabetes risk by affecting glucose transporters and enzymes involved in metabolism. These compounds also maintain gut microbiota homeostasis and suppress pro-inflammatory pathways.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 15, 2023

A possible therapeutic approach to COVID-19

The article suggests a potential treatment option for COVID-19 by targeting SARS-CoV-2's interaction with ACE2 receptors. Combining DPP4 inhibitors and spironolactone may mitigate COVID-19 complications and infections without adverse side effects.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalEndocrine Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 27, 2022

Retrospective study finds that cancer drug also lowers blood glucose

A retrospective study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that dasatinib lowers serum glucose levels in patients with pre-existing type 2 diabetes to a greater degree than imatinib and comparable to first-line diabetic medications. Researchers suggest further study is needed to determine the primary mechanism behind dasatinib's ...

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateNov 9, 2021

Antidiabetic drug causes double the weight loss of competitor in Type 2 diabetes patients

A University at Buffalo-led study found that SGLT2 inhibitors cause a median weight loss of over 6 pounds in Type 2 diabetes patients, compared to 2.5 pounds with GLP-1 receptor agonists. The findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may be more protective against weight gain caused by other antidiabetic drugs.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of the American Pharmacists Association·DateJul 1, 2021

New benefits from anti-diabetic drug metformin

Researchers at Kumamoto University discovered that metformin prolongs survival of mice with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease by reducing kidney function and inflammation. The study suggests that a combination of metformin and losartan may be beneficial for patients with ND-CKD.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 15, 2021

Metformin-based therapy should be first-line treatment for patients with T2D at low CV risk

A systematic review and network meta-analysis suggest metformin-based therapy as a preferred first-line treatment for drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes at low cardiovascular risk. Insulin regimens and GLP-1 RAs added to metformin-based background therapy produced the greatest reductions in hemoglobin A1c level.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 29, 2020

Diabetes medications may reduce Alzheimer's disease severity

Researchers found that people with Alzheimer's disease who were treated with diabetes drugs showed fewer markers of the disease, including abnormal microvasculature and gene expressions. The study suggests targeting the brain's capillary system could have beneficial effects in Alzheimer's patients, opening opportunities for new therapies.

Medicating for mental health

A University of Guelph study found that intense exercise before taking a daily dose of olanzapine can reduce the risk of weight gain and Type 2 diabetes. The researchers discovered that moderate exercise did not have the same effect, highlighting the importance of intense physical activity in mitigating medication side effects.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 21, 2018

Arthritis drug can lower sugar levels in diabetes

A common rheumatoid arthritis treatment, lefluonamide, lowered blood glucose levels and reversed insulin resistance in mouse models of type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that this therapy could be repurposed as an effective antidiabetic treatment for patients with both diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceSociety for Endocrinology·JournalJournal of Endocrinology·DateMar 1, 2018

A variation on a gene brings unexpected benefits

A new study discovered a genetic variant that reduces the risk of coronary heart disease in people taking antidiabetic medications, contradicting previous assumptions about these drugs' safety. The variant was linked to the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor and may provide valuable insights for predicting drug side effects earlier in th...

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 1, 2016

Shining new light on diabetes treatment

Researchers have created a light-activated tool to adapt drugs for type 2 diabetes. The study provides insight into cellular receptor signalling and could lead to more efficient anti-diabetic drugs. The new tool, PhotoETP, allows precise control over blood glucose levels with fewer side effects.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateApr 11, 2016

No increased heart failure with incretin-based drugs

A large-scale study examining the relationship between incretin-based drugs and hospitalization for heart failure found no increased risk. The study, conducted by the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES), analyzed health records of over 1.4 million patients in Canada, the US, and the UK.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 24, 2016