Metabolic drugs for HS? GLP‑1 receptor agonists show promise beyond weight loss
If you haven’t yet, dig into this recent JDD article about GLP-1 receptor agnosists and hidradenitis suppurativa. Hidradenitis suppurativa often clusters with obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and this review highlights growing evidence that glucagon‑like peptide‑1 receptor agonists (GLP‑1RAs) could address both skin disease and its comorbidities. Case reports and preliminary series suggest GLP‑1RAs reduce lesion burden, lower systemic inflammatory markers and improve metabolic parameters, either alone or added to existing therapies. Plausible mechanisms include weight loss–mediated benefit, metabolic regulation and direct anti‑inflammatory effects, but current data are limited by small samples and uncontrolled designs.
For the dermatologist: consider metabolic status when managing HS, discuss the potential role of GLP‑1RAs with patients who have obesity or diabetes, and coordinate care with primary care or endocrinology. Read the full article to review the evidence, patient selection considerations, and monitoring needs before integrating GLP‑1RA strategies into practice.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(12):1174-1180. doi:10.36849/JDD.9062
Blog write-up assisted by AI
