If you live with psoriasis, you know how challenging it can be to manage the symptoms — itchy, flaky patches of skin or the ache of psoriatic arthritis. But what if you also have diabetes or struggle with weight management? This is a common situation for many people with psoriasis, as these conditions often overlap.

One treatment that’s been getting attention recently is GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic, a medication originally developed for diabetes. Can these drugs help people with psoriasis? Or might they cause more harm than good? Let’s explore the possibilities.

What Are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 drugs, also called glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, are a class of medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. These drugs help lower blood glucose (blood sugar) levels by increasing insulin production, reducing glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar), and slowing down how quickly food leaves your stomach. One of the most commonly discussed GLP-1 drugs is semaglutide. This drug is sold under many brand names, including Ozempic, Wegovy (approved for weight loss), and Rybelsus (oral semaglutide). Liraglutide (Victoza) is another GLP-1 drug.

These medications are commonly prescribed to people with diabetes to help manage their blood sugar. They are also sometimes prescribed to help people lose weight. Weight loss can be a significant benefit for people with type 2 diabetes, and it may also be helpful for people living with psoriasis.

GLP-1 Drugs and Psoriasis: What’s the Connection?

In psoriasis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing inflammation. While there’s limited research on GLP-1 drugs specifically for psoriasis, we know inflammation plays a role in both psoriasis and diabetes. Some scientists believe that by helping to reduce overall inflammation, GLP-1 drugs might indirectly help with psoriasis symptoms. Multiple studies have shown that having obesity or type 2 diabetes can worsen psoriasis symptoms, which suggests that treatments aimed at controlling blood sugar and body weight might benefit people with psoriasis.

Why Psoriasis and Other Conditions Often Coexist

Before diving into the potential benefits and side effects of GLP-1 drugs, it’s important to understand why psoriasis often coexists with other conditions like diabetes and obesity. Psoriasis is a one of a group of diseases linked to chronic inflammation. Inflammation doesn’t just stay in the skin — it can affect the entire body. People with psoriasis are at an increased risk for developing metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood sugar, increased body fat, and high cholesterol. These factors can all lead to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The inflammation that drives psoriatic symptoms also contributes to insulin resistance, making it harder for the body to manage blood sugar levels. As a result, many people with psoriasis also develop diabetes.

The Benefits for People With Psoriasis

There are several reasons why someone with psoriasis might consider taking a GLP-1 drug.

Managing Other Diseases

If you have both psoriasis and type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar is crucial. High blood sugar levels worsen inflammation in the body, making psoriasis flare-ups more severe. By controlling blood sugar, GLP-1 drugs may also help control psoriasis symptoms. Additionally, keeping blood sugar stable reduces the risk of complications such as heart disease, which is more common for people with psoriasis and diabetes. Lowering blood sugar with these drugs also protects against the long-term damage that uncontrolled diabetes can cause to the heart, kidneys, and nerves.

Weight Loss

Many people with psoriasis also have body mass index (BMI) scores in the overweight or obese range. Studies show that being overweight or obese can make psoriasis symptoms worse, and losing weight may lead to fewer flare-ups. Some GLP-1 drugs, like Wegovy, are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss, making them an option for someone with psoriasis who is also trying to lower their body weight.

Losing weight with the help of GLP-1 drugs may also help some of the systemic inflammation that fuels psoriasis symptoms. Reducing body fat has been linked to improvements in inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, which is often elevated in people with psoriasis. This suggests that, beyond just losing weight, reducing overall inflammation can have broader benefits for psoriasis management.

Reducing Inflammation

Unlike many psoriasis treatments, GLP-1 receptor agonists do not suppress the immune system. Instead, they may reduce inflammation by lowering the presence of certain immune cells associated with psoriasis flare-ups. These anti-inflammatory effects make GLP-1 drugs potentially useful for people with psoriasis, especially those who have a high body weight or have type 2 diabetes. While this sounds promising, larger studies are needed to fully understand the potential of these treatments for psoriasis.

Potential Risks and Concerns

While GLP-1 drugs may have some potential benefits for people with psoriasis, there are also important concerns.

Side Effects

Like all medications, GLP-1 drugs can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These side effects could be bothersome and might interfere with a psoriasis treatment plan. Additionally, weight loss that is too rapid may lead to other complications, such as nutritional deficiencies or gallstones.

Interaction With Biologic Drugs

Many people with moderate to severe psoriasis are treated with biologic drugs, which target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation. How do GLP-1 drugs interact with biologics?

There’s limited research on this specific interaction, but doctors advise caution. Both GLP-1 drugs and biologics affect the immune system, so it’s essential to consult your doctor before combining these medications. They’ll want to monitor you closely for any signs of increased infections or unexpected side effects.

Biologics work by dampening certain immune responses, which can make people more vulnerable to infections. Because GLP-1 drugs also have an effect on inflammation and the immune system, combining them with biologics could create a heightened risk of infection or immune-related issues. Careful monitoring is essential when using both of these treatments together, and your health care provider may adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

Talk to Your Doctor

GLP-1 drugs may offer promise for people who are managing both psoriasis and other conditions like diabetes or weight issues. While the medications may help with blood sugar control and weight loss, they could also have potential risks, especially when combined with other treatments like biologics.

As with any treatment, it’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with your doctor. They can help you determine the best approach for managing your psoriasis and any other health conditions.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 131,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

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