Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1a) Receptor Agonist Use in Patients Presenting for Gastroenterology Procedures: A Review of Concerns.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1a) agonists are one of the most recent discoveries to improve blood glucose control and provide satiety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first of these therapeutics for the management of type 2 diabetes in 2005 (Dungan et al., 2023). In 2014, the FDA approved semaglutide, a GLP1a, for weight management of patients with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater and one weight-related ailment for patients with a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2. Although these pharmacologic agents provide many benefits, there is a growing concern for patients who currently use GLP1a medication during the perioperative period, especially relating to delayed gastric emptying. With the increasing use of GLP1a, health care practitioners require in-depth knowledge of implications and treatment for these patients to provide an evidence-based safety net for those requiring endoscopic services.