The use of GLP-1 drugs for weight management has surged in recent years in the US, but a new study shows that despite the increase in prescriptions, the likelihood of sustained use and achieving meaningful weight loss has decreased significantly. Understanding recent trends in GLP-1 use for weight management is important for informing effective care and spending related to these products.

In the study, national pharmacy and medical claims from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023, were analyzed to identify first-time use of 2 weight management GLP-1s. Individuals aged 18-64 years with full commercial coverage for at least 6 months prior to and following initiation were included. Medication persistence was measured by quarter, with nonpersistence defined as a gap following the most recent prescription of at least 2 times the expected duration.

Between 2021 and 2023, 70 531 people began using a weight management GLP-1, with the majority being female and aged 35-54. The number of new users increased drastically by over 1,300%, from 1,479 in the first quarter of 2021 to 21,918 in the second quarter of 2023. However, as usage rose, persistence in achieving clinically meaningful weight loss declined, with only 38.3% continuing after at least 12 weeks in 2023 compared to 50.0% in 2021 and 51.2% in 2022.

“Use of weight management GLP-1s in commercially insured individuals has skyrocketed in recent years,” said researchers. “Simultaneously, the likelihood of sustained use of these products decreased, and by 2023, nearly two-thirds of users were discontinuing medication prior to reaching meaningful weight loss thresholds. There are several potential drivers of lower persistence, including reduced access to medication, cost, and limited provider management of side effects and dosing. It is essential that payers and providers consider low persistence rates when evaluating the suitability of these medications for individual patients.” 

Reference
Coetzer H, Pigoga J, Swami S, et al. Real-world trends in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist utilization for weight management among commercially insured individuals, 2021-2023. Presented at: AMCP Nexus 2024; October 14-17; Las Vegas, NV.