Unexpected drug interaction: GLP-1 medications and sedative duration

2 points by haebom 2 months ago · 1 comment · 2 min read

I recently started tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for weight management, and I've noticed something unexpected that I'm curious if others have experienced or if there's research on this. Background: I've been prescribed zolpidem and benzodiazepines for severe insomnia by a different physician. After starting Mounjaro, I noticed the sedative effects lasting significantly longer than before - experiencing prolonged brain fog and grogginess that extends well into the next day. This wasn't something either prescribing physician warned me about, and it got me wondering about the mechanism. My understanding is that GLP-1 receptor agonists cause delayed gastric emptying, which could theoretically affect drug absorption and metabolism. But the degree of change I experienced seems substantial.

A few questions for the community:

1. Is there published research on GLP-1 medications affecting the pharmacokinetics of other drugs, particularly CNS depressants?

2. Has anyone else experienced similar interactions with medications while on semaglutide, tirzepatide, or other GLP-1 agonists?

3. If GLP-1 medications can slow the absorption of sedatives, could the same mechanism also influence — or even enhance — the effects of stimulants like ADHD meds or caffeine? I’m curious whether this could have implications for focus and productivity.

I'm sharing this because these medications are becoming extremely popular, and if there are significant drug interactions that aren't being routinely discussed, that seems like an important safety consideration. I'm particularly concerned that patients seeing multiple specialists might not have adequate oversight of potential interactions.