BEYOND WEIGHT LOSS: THE DUAL IMPACT OF GLP-1 AND DUAL GIP/GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS ON THE SKIN A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF SAFETY, ADVERSE REACTIONS, AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN INFLAMMATORY DERMATOSES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5581Keywords:
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Tirzepatide, Semaglutide, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Psoriasis, Cutaneous Adverse EffectsAbstract
Background: The emergence of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonists has fundamentally altered the therapeutic landscape for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Beyond their metabolic and cardiovascular benefits, these agents exert a profound, yet under-recognized, influence on the skin. This systematic review evaluates the "dual impact" of these therapies: their cutaneous safety profile and their emerging therapeutic potential in chronic inflammatory skin diseases.
Methods: A systematic analysis was conducted utilizing data from landmark clinical trials, including the STEP, SURPASS, and SURMOUNT programs, alongside real-world pharmacovigilance data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). The study analyzed dermatologic outcomes and safety signals in a cohort of over 50,000 patients.
Results: Findings indicate that while injection-site reactions and mild hypersensitivity are common, rare but serious signals such as bullous pemphigoid and systemic allergic reactions require clinical vigilance. Paradoxically, the potent anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs, mediated through the modulation of the IL-23/IL-17 axis and adipose tissue-derived cytokines, offer significant therapeutic benefits for psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Furthermore, rapid weight loss induces unique aesthetic changes, including significant facial volume loss, colloquially known as "Ozempic Face."
Conclusions: Incretin-based therapies represent a novel intersection of metabolic medicine and dermatology. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to optimize patient care and safety, balancing the management of cutaneous adverse events with the clinical leverage of the drugs’ immunomodulatory potential in inflammatory dermatoses.
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