February 2025

ENDOCRINOLOGY

HIGH DISCONTINUATION RATES FOR GLP-1 MEDICATIONS

The popularity of GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, has surged recently, with 12% of U.S. adults having tried these diabetes and weight-loss medications despite their high costs, according to a June 2024 poll. However, a concerning trend is that 50% to 75% of users discontinue these medications within a year.

Sadiya Khan, MD, of Northwestern Medicine, is investigating the reasons behind this high dropout rate, the potential risks of stopping treatment prematurely and ways to support patients in continuing their therapy. She emphasizes that these discontinuation rates should alarm clinicians, policymakers and public health professionals.

Dr. Khan believes that several factors likely contribute to this phenomenon:
  • The high cost of GLP-1 medications
  • A potential perception that these therapies are not needed for long-term health, unlike treatments for chronic conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol
In a recent JAMA Viewpoint opinion piece, Dr. Khan and others call for more research to understand the causes of this discontinuation. They also advocate for developing clinical and policy interventions to support long-term use.
Sadiya S. Khan, MD, Magerstadt Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology at Northwestern Medicine

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