Weight Loss That Lasts: Reviewing the Long-Term Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists.

Shah, Md Yasir et al.·Cureus·2025·Moderate Evidencesystematic review
RPEP-13527Systematic reviewModerate Evidence2025RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
systematic review
Evidence
Moderate Evidence
Sample
N=Not applicable (systematic review of multiple RCTs)
Participants
Adults with and without T2D, and adolescents with severe obesity

What This Study Found

GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide, exenatide) show sustained weight loss and acceptable safety profiles across trials lasting 40-120 weeks. GI side effects are the most common adverse events. Obesity should be treated as a chronic condition requiring long-term medication.

Key Numbers

Studies from 2018-2025. Treatment durations 40-120 weeks. Agents: semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide, exenatide. Populations: adults with/without T2D, adolescents with severe obesity. Sustained weight loss. GI side effects most common.

How They Did This

Systematic review of high-quality RCTs evaluating long-term efficacy and safety of GLP-1RAs for obesity (2018-2025). Assessed weight loss, glycemic control, and adverse events.

Why This Research Matters

Compiles the long-term evidence supporting GLP-1RAs for obesity, reinforcing that these drugs maintain efficacy over years and that obesity management is a long-term commitment.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Limited follow-up beyond 2 years. Population diversity in available trials is limited. Real-world generalizability uncertain. Weight regain after cessation not fully characterized across all agents.

Trust & Context

Original Title:
Weight Loss That Lasts: Reviewing the Long-Term Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists.
Published In:
Cureus, 17(7), e88334 (2025)
Database ID:
RPEP-13527

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-Control
Cross-Sectional / ObservationalSnapshot without intervening
This study
Case Report / Animal Study
What do these levels mean? →

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Cite This Study

RPEP-13527·https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-13527

APA

Shah, Md Yasir; Mohammad, Ahmad; Bashir Ahmed Samejo, Rabia; Rana, Siddharth; Singla, Shivam; Aurangzeb, Raja Irsalan; Tariq, Muhammad M; Zamir, Muhammad Hamza; Farooq, Umer; Aurangzeb, Raja Faizan; Singla, Bhavna; Rehman, Abdur. (2025). Weight Loss That Lasts: Reviewing the Long-Term Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists.. Cureus, 17(7), e88334. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.88334

MLA

Shah, Md Yasir, et al. "Weight Loss That Lasts: Reviewing the Long-Term Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists.." Cureus, 2025. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.88334

RethinkPeptides

RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Weight Loss That Lasts: Reviewing the Long-Term Impact of GL..." RPEP-13527. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/shah-2025-weight-loss-that-lasts

Access the Original Study

Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.