News: WHO has endorsed a new class of drug, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, for managing obesity.
About GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
- Role: They mimic a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar level, lipid metabolism, and other biological functions.
- Drugs in this class include semaglutide and tirzepatide, which have potential to be transformative.
- Utility:
- Helps in treatment of Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- These drugs can complement current policies promoting healthy eating and physical exercise to curb the obesity pandemic.
- These drugs are significant as obesity affects nearly 1 in 8 people worldwide.
- Side Effects: There are severe side effects like stomach paralysis, inflamed pancreas and thyroid cancer.
