Telehealth firms prescribe GLP-1s for addiction off-label — SkimNews
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- Telehealth platforms have begun marketing off-label prescriptions of GLP-1 medications, including branded and compounded versions, to treat alcohol use disorder and other addictions
- Eli Lilly is investigating brenipatide, a new drug candidate, in clinical trials for alcohol use disorder
- Baseline Therapeutics is studying a GLP-1 receptor agonist for treating alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine use disorders
- Altimmune is testing pemvidutide for alcohol use disorder, adding to the pipeline of potential FDA-approved GLP-1-based addiction treatments
- Addiction medicine specialists express hope that the FDA may soon approve a new medication for alcohol use disorder—the first in two decades
Why it matters: Patients may gain earlier access to potentially effective addiction treatments through telehealth, but off-label use bypasses clinical validation, creating risks if efficacy and safety aren't confirmed. Pharmaceutical developers face a shifting landscape where real-world use outpaces trial data and regulatory approval.
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