Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Effective in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension?

They seem to be, according to a retrospective cohort study.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a disorder of metabolic and hormonal dysregulation, mostly in women, is strongly linked to obesity and can cause blindness and severe disability. IIH responds variably to conventional therapies including weight loss, diuretics to preserve vision, and headache management. Whether glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have a role in treatment is unclear. In this retrospective analysis of U.S. electronic medical records, researchers assessed outcomes of IIH in 555 patients exposed to GLP-1 RAs who were propensity matched to 555 patients treated only with conventional therapies.

The main findings:

During a median follow-up of 365 days after starting treatment, GLP-1 RA-treated patients had…

Reviewing Author

Teshamae Monteith, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; Axsome; Teva; Linpharma; e-Neura; Novartis; Merz; Lundbeck; Axsome; Pfizer. Unpaid co-author for collaborative research sponsored by AbbVie, Pfizer/Biohaven, and Theranica.

RoyaltiesSpringer

Editorial BoardsCephalalgia; Continuum Audio; Neurology Minute; Neurology; American Migraine Foundation; Brain and Life Magazine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesFlorida Society of Neurology (member, Executive Board); American Migraine Foundation (member, Executive Board); United Councils of Neurologic Subspecialities Examination Committee (Vice Chair)

OtherPaid speaking/education for Medscape, Massachusetts Medical Society, American Headache Society, and American Academy of Neurology