Prospects of GLP-1 Therapies for Addiction and Mental Health Comorbidities—Quo Vadis?

The rationale for studying GLP-1 therapies for ASUDs is supported by preclinical and observational clinical evidence. RCTs are emerging and critically needed at this juncture to determine the safety and efficacy of GLP-1 therapies in people with ASUDs. Pending results from RCTs, GLP-1 therapies have the potential to be repurposed for ASUDs. However, there are several relevant questions in need of further investigation, including the specifics of treatment with GLP-1 therapies in the context of addiction (eg, dose, duration, tachyphylaxis, impact of discontinuation), individual differences and potential predictors of response, mechanisms of action, intersection with mental health and medical comorbidities, cost, and fair access to these treatments.

Corresponding Authors: Mehdi Farokhnia, MD, MPH (mehdi.farokhnia@nih.gov), and Lorenzo Leggio, MD, PhD (lorenzo.leggio@nih.gov), Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Blvd, Ste 200, Room 04A515, Baltimore, MD 21224.

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