A significant number of patients discontinue the use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic within the first year, new research indicates. More than a quarter of users stop taking these medications within three months, and over a third have discontinued by the one-year mark, according to a study led by Urvashi Patel from the Evernorth Research Institute in St. Louis.

The study, published on May 23 in the journal JAMA Network Open, highlights cost and gastrointestinal side effects as potential reasons for the high dropout rates. "Each 1-percentage point increase in out-of-pocket cost per a 30-day supply of GLP-1 agonist was associated with increased odds of discontinuation," Patel's team reported.

The price of these medications can be a significant barrier, with Wegovy (semaglutide) costing around $1,300 per month. This high cost, along with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may deter patients from continuing the treatment.

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 196,000 adults who started GLP-1 medications between early 2021 and the end of 2023, excluding tirzepatide (Zepbound) as it was only FDA-approved at the end of 2023. They found that 26% of patients stopped using their GLP-1 drug within three months, nearly 31% by six months, and 36.5% by one year.

Interestingly, the study revealed that patients who were obese but did not have type 2 diabetes were more likely to stop using the medication within a year compared to those who had both obesity and type 2 diabetes (50.3% vs. 34.2%). The exact reasons for this discrepancy remain unclear, but the study suggests that cost, side effects, or achieving weight-loss goals could be contributing factors.

Economic factors also played a role in discontinuation rates. Patients from poorer areas were more likely to stop their medication than those from affluent regions, likely due to the burden of out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, those who experienced new gastrointestinal side effects during follow-up were more prone to quitting the medication.

This study sheds light on the challenges patients face when using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and underscores the need for more affordable and tolerable treatment options for obesity.