Can GLP-1 Treatments Help Psoriasis? What the Research Says About Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic

If you’re struggling to manage psoriasis, and living with irritation and soreness as a result, you’re most likely on the lookout for a treatment that can soothe your symptoms, fast. But did you know that lifestyle changes can make a difference?

Research has found a link between obesity and psoriasis, although the relationship is complex and one does not necessarily cause the other. [1] Studies also suggest that losing weight may help improve psoriasis symptoms in people living with overweight or obesity. [2]

Scientists are now exploring whether GLP-1 weight loss medicines could offer additional benefits for psoriasis, potentially through their effects on inflammation.

Here's what we know so far, and what it could mean for you.

Article summary

• Weight loss may help reduce psoriasis severity in people living with overweight or obesity, although improvements are not guaranteed.
• Emerging studies suggest GLP-1 medicines may improve psoriasis in some people who also have obesity or type 2 diabetes. However, further research is needed to understand whether these benefits extend beyond weight loss.
• GLP-1 medicines are not currently approved specifically to treat psoriasis. Any improvement in skin symptoms should be considered a potential additional benefit, rather than a guaranteed outcome.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. There are different types of psoriasis, and it often causes patches of dry, sometimes raised, flaky skin that can be itchy and painful. It can't be cured, but there are treatments that can help you manage it [3].

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition, meaning it involves the immune system, the body's natural defence against illness, not working as it should [4].

In people with psoriasis, the immune system becomes overactive, triggering inflammation and sending signals that cause skin cells to multiply much faster than normal. This leads to a build-up of skin cells, forming the characteristic thick, scaly patches seen in psoriasis.

Experts don't yet know why the immune system goes wrong in this way. However, we do know that most autoimmune conditions, where the immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells, are more common in women than in men. [5]

Psoriasis isn't contagious, so you can't catch it or pass it on to anyone else, but you're more likely to have it if someone in your family does too. [3]

How are weight and psoriasis linked?

The NHS lists living with obesity as one of the things that can trigger psoriasis. Other triggers include stress, smoking, drinking alcohol and some infections, like strep A. [3]

There are a few reasons why excess weight can affect psoriasis.

Body fat can increase inflammation

Fat tissue releases chemicals that can contribute to inflammation in the body. [7] This may add to the inflammation already involved in psoriasis. Research suggests that obesity is associated with more severe psoriasis, and may also make some psoriasis treatments less effective. [6]

Skin folds can be ‘hot spots’ for inverse psoriasis

Psoriasis can appear in the folds of your body, like your armpits, groin and under your breasts. [3,7] This is sometimes called inverse or flexural psoriasis. It usually looks smooth and shiny rather than scaly. [7]

Research has found that psoriasis in skin folds is more common in people living with obesity. [8] Rubbing and sweat in these areas can make it worse, so it can feel especially uncomfortable in hot weather. Wearing loose clothing can help reduce rubbing. [7]

It's linked to other health conditions

Psoriasis is also linked to metabolic syndrome. This is a group of health problems, like high blood pressure and high blood sugar, that can raise your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. [3]

Can losing weight help psoriasis?

Yes, there's good evidence that it could.

A large review in 2025 looked at 13 trials with over 1,100 people who had psoriasis. The trials tested different ways to lose weight, including diet changes, exercise and weight loss medicines. Overall, people taking part in weight loss programmes experienced better improvements in their psoriasis symptoms compared with those receiving usual care or less intensive support. [2]

The researchers found strong evidence that weight loss can help improve psoriasis severity and quality of life. They suggested that weight management should be considered as part of routine psoriasis care, alongside standard treatments, particularly for people living with overweight or obesity. [2]

The NHS also recommends eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular exercise (which as we know are crucial for weight loss) if you have psoriasis. [3, 9]

Can GLP-1 medicines help psoriasis?

GLP-1 medicines copy a natural hormone in your gut. This hormone helps control your appetite and blood sugar. GLP-1 medicines help you feel fuller for longer and reduce your appetite, which may support weight loss. [10,11]

The main GLP-1 medicines you may have heard of are:

• Wegovy: contains semaglutide and is used for weight loss [11]
• Ozempic: also contains semaglutide, but is licensed to manage type 2 diabetes [11]
• Mounjaro: contains tirzepatide and is used for weight loss or type 2 diabetes. It works on two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, rather than just one [10]

All three come as an injection you take once a week. They're only available with a prescription, and you'll need to meet certain criteria, such as being within a specific BMI range, to get them for weight loss. [10,11]

Early research suggests they might help improve psoriasis symptoms, particularly in people who also have obesity or type 2 diabetes. However, the evidence is still limited, and further research is needed to confirm these potential benefits.

What small studies have found

A 2026 review looked at 26 studies exploring the effects of GLP-1 medicines on psoriasis [12]. Several studies reported improvements in psoriasis symptoms among people taking semaglutide, tirzepatide and some older GLP-1 medicines. These improvements often happened alongside weight loss and better blood sugar control. [12]

The researchers found the most consistent results for semaglutide (the medicine in Wegovy and Ozempic) and another GLP-1 medicine called liraglutide. [12]

In one study published in a 2026 journal issue, 43 people with psoriasis and obesity received weekly semaglutide for 6 months, alongside lifestyle advice. On average, their psoriasis severity scores improved by 48%, while their quality of life and symptoms of depression also improved. [13]

Interestingly, the skin improvements in this study seemed to be more closely linked to losing certain types of body fat than to overall weight loss. [13]

While these findings are promising, the evidence is still limited. Many studies were small, and some did not include a comparison group of people who weren't taking GLP-1 medicines. [13]

This makes it difficult to determine whether the improvements were due to the medicines themselves, weight loss, better metabolic health or a combination of these factors.

New research on tirzepatide and a psoriasis medicine

In February 2026, the drug company Eli Lilly shared early results from a new trial called TOGETHER-PsO. [14] The full results haven't been published in a medical journal yet.

The trial included 274 adults with moderate to severe psoriasis who were also living with obesity or overweight. Everyone took a psoriasis medicine called ixekizumab (Taltz). Half of them also took tirzepatide, the medicine in Mounjaro. [14]

After 36 weeks:

• About 1 in 4 people taking both medicines had completely clear skin and lost at least a tenth of their body weight. This compared to about 1 in 17 people taking ixekizumab alone. [14]
• About 4 in 10 people taking both medicines had completely clear skin, compared to about 3 in 10 people taking ixekizumab alone. [14]

These are promising early findings. But we'll need to see the full, reviewed results before we know what they mean for people with psoriasis.

Why might GLP-1 medicines help psoriasis?

Researchers think there could be 2 main reasons.

1. Weight loss lowers inflammation

As body fat goes down, so does the inflammation it causes. [6] Less inflammation in the body may mean less inflammation in the skin.

2. GLP-1 may affect the immune system directly

GLP-1 receptors are like tiny docking points that the hormone attaches to. Researchers have found these receptors on some immune cells. [6] They've also found them in psoriasis patches, but not in healthy skin. [13]

This raises the possibility that GLP-1 medicines could help reduce inflammation by influencing the immune response. Some studies have reported improvements in psoriasis before significant weight loss occurred. However, scientists are still investigating whether these benefits come from weight loss, direct effects on the immune system, or a combination of both [12].

Do Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic all work the same way for psoriasis?

We don't know yet. No studies have compared these medicines head to head for psoriasis.

Here's what we do know:

• Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same medicine, semaglutide. [11] Semaglutide has some of the most consistent early evidence for psoriasis so far. [12] However, Ozempic is only prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, and not weight loss.
• Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which works on GIP as well as GLP-1 [10]. Early reports and the TOGETHER-PsO trial suggest tirzepatide may help psoriasis too [12,14].

Researchers say more studies are needed to see whether some GLP-1 medicines work better than others for psoriasis. [12]

Can GLP-1 medicines make psoriasis worse?

It's possible. A small number of people have had psoriasis flare-ups or psoriasis-like rashes after starting some GLP-1 medicines. [12]

If you notice any changes to your skin after starting treatment, speak to your GP or our Clinical team.

GLP-1 medicines aren't a treatment for psoriasis. Researchers say they shouldn't replace your usual psoriasis treatment. [12]

But if you're living with psoriasis and obesity, losing weight could help your skin as well as your overall health. [2] And if you're eligible for weight loss treatment, early research suggests your skin could benefit too.

If you're thinking about weight loss treatment, our Clinical team is here to help you understand your options and what's safe and suitable for you. Keep using your usual psoriasis treatments, and talk to your GP or dermatologist (skin specialist) before making any changes.

At MedExpress, we offer online consultations with regular clinical check-ins, and a range of weight loss treatments including Mounjaro, Wegovy Pen, Wegovy Pill and Foundayo and our team can help you find the right treatment for you.

References

1. Vâţă D, Bogdan Marian Tarcău, Ioana Adriana Popescu, Ioana Alina Halip, Pătrașcu A, Dragos-Florin Gheuca Solovastru, et al. Update on obesity in psoriasis patients. Life [Internet]. 2023 Sept 22 [cited 2026 Oct 23];13(10):1947–7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10608303/

2. Morrow S, Hawkins P, Griffiths CEM, Tektonidis TG, Harriss E, Scragg J, et al. Impact of weight-loss interventions on psoriasis severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2025 Dec 19 [Epub ahead of print]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.70247

3. NHS. Psoriasis [Internet]. London: NHS; 2026 [reviewed 2026 Mar 10; cited 2026 Oct 20]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/

4. Psoriasis UK. Types of psoriasis [Internet]. Psoriasis UK; 2026 [reviewed 2026 Aug; cited 2026 Oct 20]. Available from: https://psoriasisuk.org.uk/types-of-psoriasis

5. Fairweather D, Beetler DJ, McCabe EJ, Lieberman SM. Mechanisms underlying sex differences in autoimmunity. J Clin Invest. 2024;134(18):e180076. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI180076

6. Buonanno S, Gaggiano C, Terribili R, Cantarini L, Frediani B, Gentileschi S. The potential role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the management of psoriatic disease: a scoping review. Inflamm Res. 2025;74(1):167. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-025-02140-2

7. Psoriasis UK. Psoriasis in sensitive areas [Internet]. Psoriasis UK; 2024 [reviewed 2024 Oct; cited 2026 Oct 20]. Available from: https://psoriasisuk.org.uk/sensitive-areas

8. Khosravi H, Siegel MP, Van Voorhees AS, Merola JF. Treatment of inverse/intertriginous psoriasis: updated guidelines from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(8):760-6. Available from: https://jddonline.com/articles/treatment-of-inverseintertriginous-psoriasis-updated-guidelines-from-the-medical-board-of-the-nation-S1545961617P0760X/

9. National Health Service. Lose weight - better health [Internet]. nhs.uk. NHS; 2020 [cited 2026 Oct 23]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/

10. NHS. Tirzepatide [Internet]. London: NHS; 2026 [reviewed 2026 May 15; cited 2026 Oct 19]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tirzepatide/

11. NHS. Semaglutide [Internet]. London: NHS; 2026 [reviewed 2026 May 15; cited 2026 Oct 19]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/semaglutide/

12. Marani A, Neri E, Morea E, Bertolla D, Gualdi G, Borghi A, et al. Effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on psoriasis: an "agent-specific" systematic review of the literature. J Clin Med. 2026;15(13):5126. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15135126

13. Nicolau J, Nadal A, Sanchís P, Pujol A, Tamayo MI, Sfondrini G, et al. Dermatological and metabolic benefits of semaglutide in psoriasis with obesity: a 6-month prospective cohort study. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2026;51(3):442-50. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ced/llaf473

14. Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly's Taltz (ixekizumab) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) used together delivered superior efficacy in first-of-its-kind Phase 3b trial for adults with psoriasis and obesity or overweight [press release]. Indianapolis: Eli Lilly and Company; 2026 Feb 18 [cited 2026 Oct 19]. Available from: https://lilly.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-taltz-ixekizumab-and-zepbound-tirzepatide-used-together-0