You possibly can’t deny the hype. Credit Suisse analyst Trung Huynh has scoured social media and is impressed by the notice — and demand — of GLP-1 drugs like Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro. “While we caution that posts could also be biased and comments are public domain and anecdotal, we’ve got analyzed and compiled an archive of essentially the most interesting observations that we imagine provide another perspective to traditional data,” Huynh said in a research note on Thursday. Amongst these observations are reports of other potential benefits perceived by patients taking either Mounjaro or tirzepatide. In conclusion, Mounjaro has been approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, however the drug is anticipated to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, possibly by the top of this yr, as a treatment for obesity and chubby. Patients in Eli Lilly’s studies lost as much as 20% or more of their starting weight while taking the drug, outperforming other available drugs. The corporate can also be carrying out some additional studies to analyze the usage of tirzepatide in treating other conditions comparable to sleep apnea. Huynh reported seeing posts on social media where individuals with sleep apnea claimed to find a way to improve quality sleep or stop using a CPAP machine after losing a few pounds on Mounjaro. Others taking the drug have reported benefits comparable to a discount in addictive behaviors comparable to smoking, drinking, gambling and shopping, amongst others. “While relatively unsurprising given the literature suggesting that GLP agonism inhibits hedonic food intake via the brain’s reward pathway, we’re very focused on a potentially far-reaching effect beyond obesity and T2D,” said Huynh. He noted other comments suggesting uses for the drug to treat infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that has a 50% to 60% overlap with obesity. While Eli Lilly didn’t say it was investigating this indication, Novo Nordisk – which has a rival GLP-1 drug, semaglutide – has registered a recent study to judge it. The most important caution is that social media talk suggests that medical insurance providers have gotten more restrictive about reimbursement. Nevertheless, he said this might be a function of patients attempting to use Mounjaro off-label to treat obesity. GLP-1 drugs have high prices. To assist with payments, Eli Lilly is offering a $575 coupon that expires at the top of the yr, Huynh said. Credit Suisse has an improved rating for Eli Lilly’s stock, with a price goal of $490, up greater than 9% from Wednesday’s close. LLY YTD up LLY in 2023 – CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed to the coverage.