Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Narrative Review.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have progressed from the initial discovery of endogenous GLP-1 biology in 1986 to widely used therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity, with expanding indications driven by pleiotropic metabolic and cardiovascular benefits. Although no randomized controlled trials have evaluated GLP-1RA as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-directed therapy, retrospective observational studies in IBD populations prescribed GLP-1RA for metabolic indications provide emerging real-world evidence regarding weight loss efficacy, IBD-related outcomes, and adverse events. This narrative review summarizes GLP-1RA pharmacology, mechanistic rationale, and the current clinical evidence base in IBD, with emphasis on safety considerations and priorities for prospective trials.