It’s important to discuss your health goals with your healthcare team, so you should feel free to ask about trying GLP-1s for Crohn’s disease.
“If a person with Crohn’s disease has obesity or type 2 diabetes, it’s reasonable to discuss GLP-1-based therapy with their gastroenterologist and primary care or endocrine team,” says Tariq. “Patients who have metabolic risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, or [metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)] may see the greatest benefit, because GLP-1s target those pathways.”
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But the benefits may vary from person to person, says Dr. Burke. “[For example,] a patient whose main issue is inflammation might benefit more from the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug than a patient whose Crohn’s disease has led to strictures, [or] a narrowing of the intestine.”
Since GLP-1s slow food’s movement through the GI tract, this could cause problems for someone with a stricture, says Burke.
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The location and nature of a person’s Crohn’s disease — whether they’re dealing primarily with inflammation or strictures — will be a major factor in determining if a GLP-1 is a good fit, he says.Your provider may also recommend against GLP-1s if you are underweight, have active intestinal inflammation, or experience frequent nausea or vomiting, says Tariq.
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“Individual disease behavior and nutritional status should guide the decision.”
