GLP Medication for Colonoscopy Prep

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic

Must be taking: GLP-1, GIP agonists

Must not be taking: Tricyclics, Opioids

Disqualifiers: Cirrhosis, Parkinson's, Dementia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 day

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how certain medications, called GLP-1 and GIP agonists, affect the preparation process for a colonoscopy. Researchers aim to determine if continuing or pausing these medications alters bowel preparation effectiveness or affects the risk of complications, such as gastric aspiration (when food or liquid accidentally enters the lungs). The study involves two groups: one will stop their medication before the procedure, and the other will continue taking it as usual. This trial seeks adults who are already taking these medications and are scheduled for a colonoscopy. As an unphased trial, it offers participants a chance to contribute to important research that could enhance colonoscopy preparation for many patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop all your current medications, but it does focus on whether you should hold or continue a single dose of your GLP-1 or GIP agonist medication. It seems you may need to adjust this specific medication around the time of the colonoscopy.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists can complicate colonoscopy preparation. One study found that individuals on these medications often experience less effective bowel cleaning, resulting in a colon that may not be adequately clear for the procedure. Another study identified an increased risk of leftover stomach contents, posing potential concerns during the procedure. Despite these findings, these medications are approved for other uses, such as weight loss, and have demonstrated significant benefits in those areas. This suggests they are generally safe, though specific issues may arise when used for colonoscopy prep. It is important to consult a doctor about any concerns before joining a trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the impact of continuing or withholding GLP-1 or GIP medications during colonoscopy preparation. Unlike traditional bowel prep methods that often focus solely on colon cleansing, this approach examines how these medications might affect the procedure's outcome. The trial aims to provide insights into whether maintaining or stopping these medications could lead to a more effective or safer colonoscopy experience, potentially improving patient care and comfort.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for colonoscopy preparation?

Research has shown that certain medications, called GLP-1 and GIP agonists, can affect colonoscopy preparation. Studies found that people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists are more likely to experience poor bowel preparation. Specifically, about 11% of patients on these medications had inadequate prep, compared to only 5% of those not taking them. These drugs slow the stomach and bowel emptying, making it harder to clean out the bowel before a colonoscopy. This trial will compare two approaches: one group will continue GLP/GIP medication as usual, while the other will pause the medication before the procedure. Although these medications are effective for other health issues, they might impact the quality of preparation needed for this procedure. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients scheduled for colonoscopies who are currently taking GLP-1 or GIP agonist medications. The study will include those eligible to continue their medication regimen without risk of complications.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.

I am scheduled for an outpatient colonoscopy.

I have been on a stable dose of GLP-1 or GIP agonist for at least one month.

Exclusion Criteria

I refuse the recommended bowel prep for diabetes or obesity.

I have conditions or take medications that may affect my bowel prep quality.

I am able to understand and agree to the study's procedures and risks.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are assigned to either hold or continue their GLP-1 or GIP medication prior to colonoscopy

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for bowel preparation quality and complications post-procedure

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• GLP/GIP

Trial Overview The study investigates the effects of continuing versus holding a single dose of GLP-1 or GIP agonists on bowel preparation quality before a colonoscopy. It examines preparation adequacy, differences in quality, and rates of gastric aspiration complications.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Hold medication Active Control 1 Intervention

Withholds prior dose of GLP-1 or GIP therapy per ASA guidance recommendations

Group II: Continue GLP/GIP medication Active Control 1 Intervention

Patient maintains dose, frequency, duration of medication prior to colonoscopy.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The Cleveland Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,072

Recruited

1,377,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12457285/

GLP-1 receptor agonist increase retained gastric contents ... Importantly, our results also showed that using bowel prep reduces the risks of retained gastric contents on EGD. In a recently published ...

2. mayoclinic.org mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/digestive-diseases/news/examining-the-impact-of-glp-1-receptor-agonist-use-on-quality-of-bowel-preparation-for-colonoscopy/mac-20585877

Examining the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonist use on ... "Our study found that patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists are more likely to have inadequate bowel preparation during colonoscopy, even when ...

3. jwatch.org jwatch.org/na58570/2025/03/13/does-glp-1-receptor-agonist-use-affect-quality-colonoscopy

Does GLP-1–Receptor Agonist Use Affect Quality of ... Among patients taking GLP-1 agonists, 11% had inadequate bowel prep, compared with 5% of controls. Of note, one multicentered retrospective ...

4. news.cuanschutz.edu news.cuanschutz.edu/cancer-center/glp-1-ozempic-colonoscopy-endoscopy-prep

How Do GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Drugs Like Ozempic ... GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic slow emptying of the stomach and bowel, affecting colonoscopy and endoscopy prep.

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39933910/

Effect of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on ... Inadequate bowel preparation (IBP) rate was the primary outcome, and Boston Bowel Preparation Scale mean score was the secondary outcome.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11941505/

Evidence Report on the Safety of Gastrointestinal ... We found that in the GLP-1 patient population, the odds of retained gastric content (OR 6.30, 95% CI 5.30–7.49, I2 0%) are significantly higher, ...

7. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2024/10001/s850_bowel_preparation_quality_and_colonoscopy.851.aspx

S850 Bowel Preparation Quality and Colonoscopy Safety ... When comparing GLP1-RAs cases with diabetes vs pre-diabetes, no significant difference in aborted colonoscopy (8.2% vs 4.1%, P=0.5) or inadequate bowel prep ( ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000299

Weight loss outcomes, tolerability, side effects, and risks GLP-1RAs demonstrated significant weight loss outcomes. In clinical trials, liraglutide showed a placebo-corrected weight loss of around 5 %, semaglutide 12 %, ...

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07127354

The Impact of GLP Medication on Colonoscopy Bowel ... The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how GLP-1 and GIP agonists effect bowel preparation in patients scheduled for colonoscopies. The ...