Prime Highlight
- Preliminary research indicates that GLP-1 drugs, commonly used for diabetes and weight loss, may lower the risk of developing epilepsy by 16%.
- The potential link appears strongest for semaglutide, though researchers caution that the findings show association, not causation.
Key Facts
- The study analyzed 452,766 adults over at least five years, comparing GLP-1 users to those taking DPP-4 inhibitors.
- In the GLP-1 group, 1,670 participants developed epilepsy versus 1,886 in the DPP-4 group, after adjusting for age, heart conditions, and other factors.
Background
A new preliminary study shows that GLP-1 drugs, which lower blood sugar and are often used for diabetes and weight loss, may help lower the risk of developing epilepsy. Researchers published the findings on December 10, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Researchers reviewed a large U.S. health database to study adults with type 2 diabetes who began taking either a GLP-1 drug or a DPP-4 inhibitor. None of the participants had been diagnosed with epilepsy before the study. The GLP-1 group included people taking dulaglutide, liraglutide, and semaglutide.
The analysis included 452,766 adults with an average age of 61. Half were prescribed a GLP-1 drug and half took a DPP-4 inhibitor. Over a follow-up period of at least five years, 1,670 people in the GLP-1 group developed epilepsy, compared to 1,886 people in the DPP-4 group. After adjusting for age, blood pressure, heart conditions, and other factors, researchers found that people taking GLP-1 drugs were 16% less likely to develop epilepsy.
The link appeared strongest for semaglutide. However, study author Dr. Edy Kornelius of Chung Shan Medical University cautioned that the results only show an association, not proof that GLP-1 drugs directly lower epilepsy risk. He said more long-term, randomized trials are needed to confirm the findings.
Kornelius also noted that tirzepatide, a newer dual GLP-1 and GIP drug, was not included because it was introduced later. Other limitations included missing data on family history, genetics and alcohol use, as well as possible differences in insurance coverage or disease severity.
Researchers said the results are promising, especially since people with diabetes face a higher risk of epilepsy, but emphasized that more research is required.
