GLP-1 Clinical Practice Updates: November 2025 Key Developments

December 4, 2025

The World Health Organization’s endorsement of GLP-1 therapies for obesity treatment adds significant global validation to what providers already know: medical weight management continues to evolve with new clinical data, expanded treatment options, and refined care models. November 2025 brought critical updates that every clinician should integrate into their practice.

This update summarizes the four most clinically relevant developments, showing how each one impacts your day-to-day practice and patient outcomes. IAPAM provides comprehensive training in GLP-1 essentials for weight loss prescribers, helping you stay current with the latest clinical evidence and best practices.

In this GLP-1 round up:

The WHO’s formal recognition of obesity as a chronic disease and what it means for your practice
How new drug classes like amylin analogs are expanding the therapeutic toolkit beyond GLP-1s
The advancement of oral GLP-1 formulations and what providers need to know about patient selection
The critical importance of comprehensive care models in achieving long-term patient outcomes

WHO Endorses GLP-1s—Global Recognition of Obesity as a Chronic Disease

The World Health Organization released its first-ever guideline recommending GLP-1 therapies for obesity treatment in adults. This represents formal global recognition that obesity is a complex, preventable, and treatable chronic disease—not a lifestyle issue. According to reporting by NBC News, the WHO guideline emphasizes that GLP-1s should be used as part of a comprehensive, lifelong care model that includes behavioral interventions, healthy diet, and physical activity. The organization also highlighted the need for equitable access and warned that without deliberate policies, access disparities could worsen.

The WHO endorsement provides clinical legitimacy and a framework for patient conversations. Patients increasingly recognize obesity as a medical condition requiring expert care, which positions your practice as a specialist resource rather than a general prescriber.

Beyond GLP-1s—New Drug Classes Expand Treatment Options

While GLP-1 receptor agonists remain the cornerstone of pharmacologic obesity treatment, new drug classes are advancing through clinical trials. ABC News reporting on Eli Lilly’s clinical progress found that the company’s eloralintide, a selective amylin analog, demonstrated dose-dependent weight loss ranging from 9.5% to 20.1% in Phase 2 trials.

In the official press release from Eli Lilly, the company detailed results showing that the highest dose (9 mg) achieved 20.1% weight reduction, with plans to advance the drug to Phase 3 clinical trials.

Amylin analogs work through a different hormonal mechanism than GLP-1s and may offer advantages such as reduced loss of lean muscle mass. Additionally, in research presented at ObesityWeek 2025, melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonists showed promise when combined with GLP-1/GIP agonists, with studies demonstrating enhanced weight loss and prevention of weight regain.

The emergence of alternative mechanisms means providers will need to deepen their clinical knowledge to match the right drug to the right patient. This is not about replacing GLP-1s, but about expanding your toolkit for patients who don’t respond optimally to GLP-1 monotherapy or who have specific clinical needs (e.g., sarcopenic patients who need to preserve muscle mass).

Oral GLP-1 Formulations Advance—New Patient Access Pathways

Eli Lilly’s oral GLP-1, orforglipron, continues advancing through clinical development with regulatory submissions underway. As noted in NPR’s coverage of emerging obesity medications, oral formulations eliminate barriers associated with injectable therapies: injection anxiety, refrigeration requirements, and complex administration schedules.

Oral GLP-1s show efficacy profiles consistent with injectable formulations while offering the convenience of once-daily dosing without food restrictions.

Oral options will expand your patient population by reaching injection-averse patients and those seeking simpler administration. However, providers must understand the clinical differences between oral and injectable forms, including potential differences in bioavailability and dosing requirements.

Develop patient education materials explaining the differences between oral and injectable GLP-1 options
Create treatment protocols that address patient preferences for administration route
Prepare workflows for managing oral GLP-1 initiation, titration, and monitoring

Comprehensive Care Models Drive Long-Term Success

The WHO guideline reinforces what clinical evidence increasingly demonstrates: GLP-1 prescription alone is insufficient for optimal outcomes. Patients who receive comprehensive support—including behavioral counseling, nutritional guidance, regular follow-ups, and metabolic monitoring—achieve better weight loss, improved adherence, and sustained results.

According to NPR’s reporting on emerging research, scientists are actively working to understand and optimize the mechanisms of GLP-1 therapies, while research from the University of Iowa’s pilot program demonstrated that patients in comprehensive weight management programs report high satisfaction rates when receiving coordinated care that includes nutrition therapy, behavioral modifications, and physical activity guidance.

The most defensible and sustainable practices are those that wrap medication in a structured ecosystem of support. This model justifies premium pricing, improves patient outcomes, and creates recurring revenue through ongoing consultations and monitoring rather than one-time prescriptions.

Key Takeaways for Providers

Review your current GLP-1 patient population and identify those with cardiovascular risk factors who may benefit from understanding the latest WHO guidance on comprehensive care models.
Begin informal conversations with partial or non-responders to understand their treatment experience and explore whether emerging drug classes might be appropriate as they become available.
Reinforce patient education around the broader health benefits of GLP-1 therapy—including metabolic and cardiovascular protection—even before large weight changes occur.
Audit your current patient support systems to ensure patients have access to human-led guidance in addition to any digital tools or automated reminders.
Start preparing educational materials introducing upcoming oral GLP-1 options like orforglipron for patients hesitant about injections.

Update your practice materials and website to reference alignment with WHO guidelines for comprehensive obesity care.
Design internal workflows for managing oral GLP-1 prescriptions, patient onboarding, and adherence tracking ahead of orforglipron’s anticipated approval.
Formalize your comprehensive care program with defined components (initial consultation, follow-up frequency, behavioral support, body composition monitoring).
Create tiered service packages that bundle GLP-1 prescription with support services, positioning your practice as a premium specialist resource.
Document patient engagement and outcomes to demonstrate the value of your comprehensive approach to payers and prospective patients.
Begin clinical education on emerging drug classes (amylin analogs, MC4R agonists) to deepen your knowledge as these therapies advance through regulatory pathways.

Conclusion

November 2025 reinforces that successful GLP-1 practice requires three elements: alignment with evidence-based guidelines (WHO), deepening clinical knowledge as the therapeutic landscape expands, and commitment to comprehensive, lifelong care models. Providers who invest in these areas will lead their markets and deliver superior patient outcomes.

The IAPAM’s Certified Medical Weight Management Provider™ (CWMP) program equips you with the protocols, patient-care strategies, and business tools to implement today’s GLP-1 and metabolic therapies effectively. You’ll learn how to integrate medications like tirzepatide, semaglutide, and Saxenda® into a holistic, sustainable program that prioritizes long-term outcomes.

Stay ahead of the science. Strengthen your systems. Empower your patients to succeed.

Explore the program and get the tools you need to build a sustainable, patient-first weight loss practice.

GLP-1 Certification for Weight Loss

Get trained in glp-1s and FDA-approved medical weight management treatments. Learn from the comfort of your home or office with our comprehensive online Certified Medical Weight Management Provider™ (CWMP) program.

Sources:

World Health Organization – WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity – December 1, 2025
NBC News – WHO recommends GLP-1 drugs for obesity – December 1, 2025
CBS News – WHO issues guidance on GLP-1 drugs for obesity – December 1, 2025
ABC News – Eli Lilly’s next generation weight loss drug shows promise – November 6, 2025
Eli Lilly Press Release – Lilly’s selective amylin agonist, eloralintide, demonstrated meaningful weight loss – November 6, 2025
Palatin Technologies – Palatin presents data at ObesityWeek 2025 on melanocortin-based therapies – November 6, 2025
Powers Health – GLP-1 weight-loss drug in pill form shows promise in trial – November 25, 2025
NPR – 5 things to know about the new obesity pills that are on the way – November 25, 2025
NPR – Researchers are looking for solutions for side effects of weight loss drugs – November 19, 2025
University of Iowa – GLP-1 pilot program receives 97% patient approval rating at half-year mark – November 13, 2025

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