They can sometimes cause undesirable, potentially serious side effects, but the popular treatments for diabetes and obesity still have benefits that outweigh the risks, the drug agency judged on Wednesday, while also warning about misuse, especially among young women.
For the third time, The French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) has examined the use in France of this range of drugs, GLP-1 analogues, which mimic the action of a hormone naturally produced by the intestine to regulate blood sugar and satiety.
Initially used to treat type 2 diabetes, these innovative treatments have seen increasing popularity in recent years for the management of certain cases of obesity.
Antidiabetic drug and obesity: 2,801 adverse effects recorded, including 13 deaths
“ When used in accordance with the recommendations«", the benefit/risk ratio remains« favorable«" , concludes the ANSM on Wednesday, October 7, after studying the adverse effects reported from the beginning of February 2025 to the end of January 2026, when more than 840,000 people received such treatments.
The drug agency, which focused mainly on the antidiabetics Trulicity, Victoza, Ozempic and for the management of obesity on Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda, recorded 2,801 adverse effects, including 515 serious ones, among which 13 deaths.
“ This new pharmacovigilance report is, on the whole, quite reassuring.«" Alexandre de la Volpilière, deputy director general in charge of operations at ANSM, told AFP.
However, the agency points out «"the potential severity of adverse effects associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly pancreatic complications, but also the possible role of interactions or indirect mechanisms promoting severe decompensation"“.
She therefore judges« possible »"that two fatal cases of acute pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, are attributable to the use of these treatments. The ANSM also warns of a risk of sometimes serious interactions with certain medications, such as some anticoagulants.".
In diabetic patients treated with metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists may increase the risk of lactic acidosis, particularly in cases of dehydration related to vomiting.« Two deaths » recorded « could be linked to this mechanism" , according to her.
Side effects also affecting the eyes, liver and brain
The most frequent side effects remain gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.), which can sometimes lead to hospitalization, and the serious risk of pancreatitis. Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition are also among them.
But other effects have appeared, points out the French agency: ophthalmological damage (worsening of diabetic retinopathy, damage to the optic nerve), infections or inflammations of the gallbladder, liver damage (hepatic cytolysis, etc.), cerebrovascular damage (stroke…), erectile dysfunction.
And following reports at the European level, including one in France, of cases of unwanted pregnancies in women using contraception and these treatments, «"The risk of decreased contraceptive effectiveness when taking a GLP-1 inhibitor is being assessed by the European Medicines Agency."», indicates the ANSM.
Not recommended during pregnancy
She reminds us that taking these anti-diabetic and anti-obesity drugs is not recommended during pregnancy, and ongoing treatment should be stopped as soon as a pregnancy is known.
In France, all doctors have been able to prescribe it since June 2025, and reimbursement at 65% by the Health Insurance is possible since June 2026, under strict conditions, for certain patients with obesity.
At the same time, there is "« a persistent phenomenon of misuse for weight loss purposes »"especially among young women, with 36 cases recorded, including 17 serious cases, among them five cases of acute pancreatitis.
Generally, the drug had then been obtained outside medical channels (via the internet, from acquaintances, abroad), and the doses were too high or increased too quickly. «"GLP-1 receptor antagonists are medications. They must always be obtained with a prescription from a pharmacy, never online, and require medical supervision. Using them without a prescription or obtaining them outside of a pharmacy exposes you to serious health risks."», warns the ANSM.
Drugs in this therapeutic class are currently among the best-selling in the pharmaceutical industry, where international competition is fierce between groups, notably Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
Initially available as injections, they are now also available in tablet form. The oral form of Wegovy, approved this year by American and European health authorities, will be "« Available in pharmacies the week of November 2nd »"in France," the group told AFP.
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