EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF OFF-LABEL USE OF GLP-1 ANALOGS FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN NON-DIABETIC PATIENTS
Abstract
The off-label use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs has gained prominence in the management of obesity and overweight in non-diabetic patients due to their ability to promote significant weight reduction through appetite modulation, delayed gastric emptying, and improved metabolic control. This study aims to analyze the efficacy and safety of the off-label use of these medications for weight loss in individuals without diabetes mellitus. This is an integrative literature review conducted using scientific articles published in national and international databases, including PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar, from 2019 to 2026. The results demonstrate that drugs such as liraglutide and semaglutide provide significant body weight reduction, especially when associated with lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity. However, frequent adverse events were observed, mainly gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, in addition to the need for medical monitoring to assess risks and contraindications. It is concluded that GLP-1 analogs represent a promising therapeutic alternative for weight loss in non-diabetic patients; however, their off-label use should be careful, individualized, and evidence-based, considering both clinical benefits and possible adverse effects
Author Biographies
Pharmacy undergraduate with internship experience in clinical analysis, pharmaceutical distribution, community pharmacy, and pharmaceutical care.
Pharmacy undergraduate, currently employed at a medical gases distribution company and completing an internship in clinical analysis.
Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy undergraduate, with internship experience in community pharmacy and clinical analysis. Member of the ESMAC Academic League of Pharmacology and teaching assistant in Bromatology. Participates in a Scientific Initiation Research Project (PIP) at UFPA focused on the development of a dermocosmetic containing essential oil as a tyrosinase inhibitor.
Pharmacy undergraduate with internship experience in clinical analysis, community pharmacy, and distribution center operations. Currently employed at a compounding pharmacy.
Pharmacy undergraduate with internship experience in clinical analysis and community pharmacy. Currently employed at a compounding pharmacy.
Pharmacy undergraduate with internship experience in clinical analysis. Currently works as a Pharmacy Assistant at Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará.
Pharmacy undergraduate with internship experience in clinical analysis, community pharmacy, and pharmaceutical distribution. Currently employed at a medical gases distribution company.
Faculty Advisor. Postdoctoral Researcher (2026) affiliated with the National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (INCT) – Hepatology 360 at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Holds a PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology (concentration in Pharmacology) from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG, 2021 – CAPES 7).
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