Short answer: No GLP-1 drug is approved to treat high blood pressure, but weight-loss trials saw it fall. In the main trials, systolic pressure dropped about 6 points on semaglutide and 7 to 8 points on tirzepatide, versus about 1 on placebo. Testosterone goes the other way: since 2025, every US testosterone label warns that it can raise blood pressure.
| Compound | Best evidence | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (Wegovy) | Approved for a different use | Approved for weight and heart-risk reduction, not blood pressure. In the label's 68-week trial of 1,961 adults, systolic pressure fell 6.2 points versus 1.1 on placebo. |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound) | Approved for a different use | Approved for weight and sleep apnea, not blood pressure. In the label's 72-week trial of 2,539 adults, systolic pressure fell 6.6 to 7.7 points versus 1.0 on placebo. |
| Testosterone (cypionate, enanthate) | Approved for a different use | Approved for testosterone deficiency. Labels now warn it can raise blood pressure. In Xyosted's 24-hour monitoring study, systolic pressure rose 3.9 points after 12 weeks. |
| Growth hormone peptides | No published studies found | We found no published human trial that measured blood pressure as an outcome for ipamorelin, CJC-1295 or sermorelin. |
"Animal or lab studies only" means no published human trial for this goal that we could find. Results in rats or cells often do not carry over to people. Compounds that are not FDA-approved have no tested label for dose, purity or safety.
A reading such as 120/80 has two parts. The top number, systolic, is the pressure when the heart beats. The bottom number, diastolic, is the pressure between beats. MedlinePlus says high blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so regular checks are the only way to know.
| Category | Systolic | Diastolic |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120 | and less than 80 |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 | and less than 80 |
| Stage 1 high | 130 to 139 | or 80 to 89 |
| Stage 2 high | 140 or higher | or 90 or higher |
Blood pressure was a secondary result in these weight-loss trials. Average starting systolic pressure was in the 120s. The Wegovy label study matches STEP 1 and the Zepbound label study matches SURMOUNT-1.
| Trial | Starting systolic | Drug | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy 2.4 mg, 68 weeks (STEP 1) | 126 to 127 | -6.2 | -1.1 |
| Zepbound 5 / 10 / 15 mg, 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1) | About 123 | -6.6 / -7.7 / -7.4 | -1.0 |
The Zepbound label marks its blood pressure results as not controlled for statistical error, which means they are less certain than the main weight result. It is not known how much of the drop comes from weight loss itself.
Pressure can climb back after stopping. In the Zepbound withdrawal study, people switched to placebo after 36 weeks saw systolic pressure rise 8.2 points over the next 52 weeks, versus 2.0 for those who stayed on the drug.
Both labels also report a small rise in resting heart rate. The Wegovy label lists average increases of 1 to 4 beats per minute.
In February 2025, FDA told makers of all testosterone products to update their labels after required 24-hour blood pressure studies. Products with completed studies had to add their own numbers, and products without a blood pressure warning had to add one. FDA also removed boxed warning language about increased heart risk after the TRAVERSE trial.
The Depo-Testosterone label now says testosterone can increase blood pressure which can increase cardiovascular risk over time, that blood pressure should be checked periodically, and that it is not recommended with uncontrolled high blood pressure. The Xyosted label reports systolic and diastolic rises of 3.9 and 1.5 points after 12 weeks. In TRAVERSE, which tested a testosterone gel, major heart events were 7% versus 7.3% on placebo.
Terms on this page: GLP-1 receptor agonist · Hematocrit · Testosterone ester · Titration (dose escalation)