Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists in the era of COVID‐19: Friend or foe?

Abstract

The aim of the present manuscript is to discuss on potential pros and cons of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) as glucose‐lowering agents during COVID‐19 pandemic, and what is more to evaluate them as potential candidates for the treatment of patients, affected by COVID‐19 infection, with or even without diabetes mellitus type 2. Besides being important glucose‐lowering agents, GLP‐1RAs pose promising anti‐inflammatory and anti‐obesogenic properties, pulmonary protective effects, as well as beneficial impact on gut microbiome composition. Hence, taking everything previously mentioned into consideration, GLP‐1RAs seem to be potential candidates for the treatment of patients, affected by COVID‐19 infection, with or even without type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as excellent antidiabetic (glucose‐lowering) agents during COVID‐19 pandemic times.