The Time Has Come:
Adjunct Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes
What's the Story?
Insulin has been the primary treatment for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) since its discovery in 1921. Since then, medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have demonstrated additional health benefits in type 2 diabetes. Given that T1D patients share many of the same comorbidities as T2D patients (cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetic neuropathy) doctors have been prescribing them to T1D patients ‘off label’.
dQ&A has investigated in-depth:
Barriers To Access
- While GLP1s and SGLT2is have shown beneficial effects for T1Ds, they have not been approved by the FDA for use in this population. Therefore, HCPs must prescribe these treatments off-label. This process requires additional documentation to justify their use, creating a layer of complexity for HCPs.
- Insurance coverage for off-label prescriptions remains an obstacle. For both Medicare and private insurance plans, there is no guarantee of coverage even when clinical evidence supports the use of these medications. This creates an ongoing burden for both patients and healthcare providers, who must navigate complex insurance policies and sometimes bear the costs of the therapies themselves.
- Despite clinical studies showing marked benefits—the barriers to accessing these treatments remain high.
Provider and Patient Perspectives:
What’s the Real Discussion?
dQ&A's Patient Voice USA Data Service contains detailed information on adjunct therapies for T1D, including GLP-1 and SGLT-2 reasons for starting, patient satisfaction, commonly cited issues, and adverse events including hypoglycemia.
Here are some examples:
Among our panel members, the percentage of T1D patients prescribed GLP-1s increased from 4% in 2018 to 12% in 2024.
When surveyed about reasons for the use of GLP1s, our panel members most commonly cited weight loss, lower insulin use, and improved BG control.
Roughly 40% of T1D patients were highly satisfied with their GLP-1 therapy, including their glycemic control (including hypos) on GLP-1, and weight management.
dQ&A data on patient reported side effects also paints a reassuring picture.
Karen
Creative, Up-beat Moderator/Interviewer
"Insights I draw from our amazing panelists influence our client's smart decisions and directly improve life for very people I get to interview! How great is that?!”
Trevor
Mixed-Methods Research Expert. Multiple Published Papers.
"As someone with T1D, I'm grateful our work directly impacts devices and therapies”
Christianne
Data Services Architect. Career Research Guru.
“I have been working with dQ&A for over ten years, 100% focused on diabetes. I so love contributing to those mission-critical decisions.”
Phin
VP, Research Services. Structures big data to drive analysis and insight.
“It's a real privilege to work with data that can make such a significant difference”
Kim
10 Years on the Client Side. Delivers Actionable Insights
“At dQ&A I’m surrounded by seasoned researchers and compassionate individuals, united in our mission to make life better for people living with diabetes”
Phyllisa
Patient Advocate. Manages Content for People With Diabetes
“For the first time in my career, I don't deal with diabetes stigma in the workplace.”
The Need for Greater Access
and Awareness
Adjunct therapies like GLP-1s and SGLT2is offer real benefits for T1D patients, but their off-label status creates barriers. While risks, particularly DKA, need careful management, these medications have the potential to transform T1D treatment. More research, regulatory approval, and advocacy are essential to ensure T1D patients have access to innovative treatments that help them live long and healthy lives.
Do you have questions on adjunct therapies for T1D or other diabetes topics?
This research excerpt is just the tip of the iceberg. dQ&A has decades of experience across the United States, Canada, and Europe. If you drive critical diabetes research decisions in your organization, dQ&A is the diabetes insight partner that can get the answers you need.
