A new framework for safe, patient-centered prescribing of obesity medications in older adults

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has released a new framework to assist clinicians in safely prescribing obesity medications in older adults. Organized around a series of cases, the framework offers a practical approach to prescribing obesity medications to older adults, including GLP-1 medications that act through gut-derived hormonal pathways.

While these medications offer promising benefits for weight management, glycemic control and other health conditions, older adults are underrepresented in clinical trials. The AGS framework emphasizes that clinicians should carefully consider age-related factors such as sarcopenia and frailty, risk of lean muscle loss, malnutrition and dehydration.

This new paper, developed by the AGS Healthy Aging Special Interest Group, discusses key considerations for the use of obesity medications in older adults.

The paper, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, explores how to apply the Geriatrics 5Ms Framework (Mind, Mobility, Medications, Multicomplexity, and Matters Most) to incretin therapy in older adults.

The authors emphasize that safe prescribing requires pretreatment assessment of functional status, nutritional adequacy and cognitive impairment.

They recommend that treatment be paired with key co-interventions such as resistance training and adequate dietary protein intake. They note that for some older adults, a team-based approach involving a registered dietitian, physical therapist, fitness trainer and behavioral health professional may be most appropriate.

Who’s behind this story?

Sadie Harley

BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries.

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Andrew Zinin

Master’s in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X’s editorial success.

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