Is it safe to use GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists, such as liraglutide (Victoza) or semaglutide (Ozempic), with YK-11, a SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator)?

Safety Concerns of Using GLP-1 Agonists with YK-11

Using GLP-1 agonists with YK-11 (a selective androgen receptor modulator) is not recommended due to lack of safety data and potential for serious drug interactions affecting cardiovascular, hepatic, and endocrine systems.

Understanding GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications primarily used for:

• Treatment of type 2 diabetes by enhancing insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, delaying gastric emptying, and reducing food intake via central appetite suppression 1
• Weight management in patients with obesity 1
• Cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with established cardiovascular disease 1

Common GLP-1 receptor agonists include:

• Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)
• Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
• Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
• Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon)
• Lixisenatide (Adlyxin) 2

Known Adverse Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists have well-documented adverse effects:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms (most common): nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain 3, 4
• Delayed gastric emptying, which increases risk of regurgitation and aspiration 1, 3
• Pancreatitis (rare but serious) 3, 4
• Gallbladder disorders 3
• Cardiac effects including increased heart rate (approximately 5 bpm) 1, 3
• Hypoglycemia risk (when used with insulin or insulin secretagogues) 1
• Increased risk of diabetic retinopathy complications (particularly with semaglutide in patients with prior history of proliferative retinopathy) 1
• Renal adverse events (most commonly associated with severe gastrointestinal losses) 2, 4

YK-11 and Potential Interactions

YK-11 is a synthetic selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that:

• Is not FDA-approved for human use
• Has limited clinical research on safety and efficacy
• May affect hormone levels, liver function, and cardiovascular parameters

Risks of Combining GLP-1 Agonists with YK-11

The combination presents several potential concerns:

1. Cardiovascular risks: GLP-1 agonists affect heart rate 1, 3 and YK-11 may have unknown cardiovascular effects, potentially creating additive or synergistic risks

2. Hepatic concerns: Both drug classes may impact liver function, with GLP-1 agonists having reported cases of hepatic adverse events 4 and SARMs generally known to potentially affect liver enzymes

3. Hormonal disruption: YK-11 affects androgen pathways while GLP-1 agonists influence multiple metabolic hormones, creating unpredictable endocrine interactions

4. Lack of safety data: No clinical studies have evaluated this specific drug combination, making it impossible to predict potential interactions 1

Clinical Recommendation

For patients considering this combination:

• Avoid concurrent use of GLP-1 agonists and YK-11 due to unknown safety profile and potential serious risks 1

• If a patient is already using a GLP-1 agonist and requires anabolic support:

  • Consider FDA-approved alternatives under medical supervision
  • Discuss the unknown risks of adding non-approved compounds like YK-11 3

• For patients already using both:

  • Monitor for adverse effects including gastrointestinal symptoms, liver function abnormalities, and cardiovascular changes 2, 4
  • Consider discontinuation of YK-11 while maintaining the prescribed GLP-1 agonist therapy if medically indicated 1

Monitoring Recommendations if Both Are Used

Despite strong recommendations against this combination, if a patient is using both:

• Regular liver function tests to monitor for hepatotoxicity 4
• Cardiovascular assessment including heart rate and blood pressure monitoring 1, 3
• Vigilance for gastrointestinal symptoms that may indicate pancreatitis 3, 4
• Blood glucose monitoring if the patient has diabetes 1

Alternative Approaches

For patients seeking metabolic and body composition benefits:

• FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists alone have demonstrated significant weight loss benefits, particularly semaglutide 2.4mg (Wegovy) with average weight loss of 12.47 kg in clinical trials 5
• Consider physician-supervised approaches to body composition improvement rather than unapproved compounds 5, 6