KIU Publications

Type 2 diabetes in adolescents was an escalating global health challenge, with limited pharmacologic options beyond metformin and insulin. Long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) transformed adult diabetes and obesity care, yet their role in youth remains underexplored despite regulatory approvals for liraglutide, exenatide, and dulaglutide in patients aged 10 years and older. This narrative review synthesized current evidence on the efficacy and safety of long-acting GLP-1 RAs for weight and glycaemic control in adolescents with type 2 diabetes, evaluating their clinical utility and implementation considerations. A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature, clinical trial registries, and guideline documents published through early 2026 informed this narrative synthesis. Meta-analytic data from five randomized trials (415 participants) demonstrated that GLP-1 RAs reduce HbA1c by approximately 1.0 percentage point, lower fasting blood glucose by 1.88 mmol/L, and decrease body weight by 1.6 kg compared with placebo. Gastrointestinal adverse events were more frequent but generally tolerable, with low discontinuation rates. Long-acting GLP-1 RAs represented a meaningful therapeutic advance for adolescents with type 2 diabetes, offering dual benefits in glycaemic and weight management. Their integration into pediatric diabetes care requires careful patient selection, dose titration, and monitoring.