Obesity is an epidemic in the United States with serious concomitant co-morbid conditions; people living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) are not immune to the risk either. Weight gain in T1D is likely multifactorial, due to genetic, environmental and treatment-related factors. FDA-approved and other adjunctive weight loss therapies may benefit people living with T1D but there are risks to consider when providing recommendations or prescribing medications.

We performed a PubMed search of studies assessing clinical outcomes of both approved and off-label medications used in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Search terms included ‘type 1 diabetes, obesity’ and the following: (1) metformin, (2) pramlintide, (3) glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, (4) dual GLP-1 and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) agonists, (5) sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, (6) surgical treatment of obesity, (7) insulin pump, (8) insulin, (9) medical nutrition therapy, (10) diabetes self-management education, (11) exercise, (12) naltrexone-buproprion, (13) orlistat, and (14) phentermine-topiramate.

Weight loss treatments provide a wide-range of benefits in reducing both morbidity and mortality in those who are obese. Treatments also have varying adverse effect profiles which may impact T1D treatment. In this review, we aim to summarize study outcomes in people with T1D, including risks and benefits, of on- and off-label weight loss treatments.