Overview
- Researchers reporting in The BMJ found weight and cardiometabolic improvements tend to return to pre-treatment levels in under two years after discontinuing GLP-1 medications.
- Prescriptions for GLP-1 receptor agonists accounted for more than 7% of all U.S. prescriptions in December 2025, according to Truveta Research.
- Real‑world persistence is low, with studies showing roughly 47% of people with type 2 diabetes and about 65% without diabetes stop within a year, and discontinuation rates are higher among older adults.
- Gastrointestinal side effects and concerns about loss of lean mass contribute to stopping the drugs, and cost and insurance coverage barriers remain common reasons for discontinuation.
- Access and options are expanding, with the once‑daily Wegovy pill now available in the U.S. and late‑stage pipelines including amylin combinations, triple‑agonists such as retatrutide, and longer‑acting injectables in development, while clinicians in India report unexpected pregnancies after GLP‑1–related weight loss and urge contraception counseling.