Episode 55 – Navigating HIV Care with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists with Dr Darcy A. Wooten (August 26, 2025)

In episode 55 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Darcy Wooten joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss navigating HIV care with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Dr Wooten is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University in St. Louis. Her clinical interests are HIV primary care, HIV prevention, sexually transmitted infections, and general infectious diseases. Dr Wooten is also a national leader in medical education. Dr Wooten provides an overview of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including their history of use for the treatment of diabetes and more recent use for the treatment of weight loss. Dr Saag and Dr Wooten discuss the challenges that patients have in getting insurance coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists and review the 2 most common drugs that are used as treatment, tirzepatide and semaglutide. They discuss the patient experience with the injectable medication and review the possibility of oral versions of the medications in the future. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Wooten discuss the long-term management of GLP-1 receptor agonists as a part of overall primary care for patients with HIV.