Sept. 19, 2025 -- Psoriasis is more than skin deep -- it’s a chronic inflammatory condition that raises the risk of serious health issues like depression, heart disease, and substance use.
An emerging body of research suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) -- popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound -- may help reduce some of these risks.
The latest such findings, not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress on Sept. 18, suggest these medications could reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and alcohol and substance abuse in people with psoriasis -- and potentially help them live longer.
The results are “clinically relevant” for psoriasis patients who also have obesity or type 2 diabetes -- conditions the drugs are FDA-approved to treat, said dermatologist Joseph Merola, MD, a professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, who was not involved in the study. Research shows that both obesity and diabetes are more common in people with psoriasis than in the general population. “We actively encourage discussion of GLP-1RAs as part of a whole-patient psoriasis strategy,” Merola said.
What the Research Showed
In the study, researchers looked at medical records from more than 6,000 psoriasis patients with obesity or diabetes. Half the patients were on GLP-1 drugs, while the other half took other medications.
Those on GLP-1s had a 78% lower risk of dying over the two-year period. They also had a 44% lower risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke, a 65% lower risk of alcohol abuse, and a 49% lower risk of substance abuse.
The researchers also analyzed records from GLP-1 patients without psoriasis -- and found that the drugs’ benefits were particularly strong in the psoriasis patients. This suggests that factors beyond just weight loss or diabetes management -- such as psoriasis-related biology -- may be contributing to the effect, Merola said.
GLP-1s are thought to reduce inflammation and calm the immune system, which is important in psoriasis because it’s linked to inflammation and skin-damaging immune activity, Merola said.
The effect on drinking and substance use aligns with other research suggesting the drugs may help people with alcohol use disorder reduce alcohol consumption. Scientists think the medication influences brain reward circuits involved in cravings and addictive behaviors. “Alcohol use has been shown to worsen psoriasis severity [and] increase flares,” Merola said, so cutting back on drinking could translate to better disease control.
That, along with overall weight loss efforts, could help reinforce healthier habits (like more consistent use of topical treatment), as well as energize patients and improve their life outlook, said dermatologist Steven Feldman, MD, PhD, a professor at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who was not involved with the study. “You don’t have to change your adherence to topical therapy very much for the topical therapy’s effectiveness to change,” Feldman said.
Psoriasis Patients: Should You Ask Your Doctor About GLP-1s?
While more research is needed to confirm these latest findings, you may consider talking to your doctor now about whether the medications fit your treatment plan, particularly if you also have obesity or diabetes, Merola said.
No known contraindication exists between GLP-1s and biologics for psoriasis, such as IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors and TNF-alpha inhibitors, Merola said. Two studies are now underway testing these drug combinations -- "so this integrated approach is already moving into trials.”
Lilly, the maker of the GLP-1 Zepbound and the injectable biologic Taltz, offers a savings program when you buy both. Depending on insurance coverage, the combo may cost as little as $30 out of pocket. (The list price for Taltz is about $7,200 per dose without health insurance. The price of GLP-1s can vary widely depending on insurance, but Ozempic and Zepbound are typically about $500 a month out of pocket.)
Just remember to loop in your entire health care team -- dermatologist, primary care doctor, endocrinologist, and cardiologist. “GLP-1RAs are an adjunct, not a substitute” for regular screenings and managing heart risks like high blood pressure or lipids, Merola said.
