Navigating HIV Care with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists – Dr Darcy Wooten

In episode 55 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Darcy Wooten joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss navigating HIV care with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Dr Wooten is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University in St. Louis. Her clinical interests are HIV primary care, HIV prevention, sexually transmitted infections, and general infectious diseases. Dr Wooten is also a national leader in medical education. Dr Wooten provides an overview of GLP-1 receptor agonists including their history of use for the treatment of diabetes and more recent use for treatment of weight loss. Dr Saag and Dr Wooten discuss the challenges that patients have in getting insurance coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists and review the 2 most common drugs that are used as treatment, tirzepatide and semaglutide. They discuss the patient experience with the injectable medication and review the possibility of oral versions of the medications in the future. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Wooten discuss the long-term management of GLP-1 receptor agonists as a part of overall primary care for patients with HIV. 0:00 – Introduction 1:11 – Overview of GLP-1 receptor agonists 3:46 – How GLP-1 receptor agonists became used for weight management and patient eligibility criteria 6:14 – Challenges of insurance coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists 8:32 – Differences between the GLP-1 receptor agonists tirzepatide and semaglutide and other benefits of the medications beyond weight loss 12:04 – Patient experience with the injectable formulations and possible adverse effects of use 14:36 – Long-term use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and possibility of oral versions of these drugs 17:36 – Managing GLP-1 receptor agonists as a part of primary care for patients with HIV including treatment of some substance use disorders 20:22 – Predictions for future management of GLP-1 receptor agonists and Dr Wooten’s hope for more research into incorporating lifestyle modifications into patient care