Many Patients Stop Weight-Loss Drugs Ozempic and Wegovy Within a Year, Study Finds
A recent analysis presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) reveals a significant number of patients discontinue treatment with semaglutide – the active ingredient in weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy – within the first year. The study found that approximately half of patients stopped treatment within 12 months, with discontinuation rates of 18% by three months, 31% by six months, and 42% by nine months. Researchers are investigating the reasons behind this high rate of early cessation.
The analysis identified cost as a major contributing factor. Younger adults, aged 18-29, were 48% more likely to discontinue treatment within the first year compared to those aged 45-59. Individuals residing in lower-income areas were also 14% more likely to stop treatment within the same timeframe. Given the medication’s cost – around 2000 Euros per year for the lowest dose as of June 2025 – these findings suggest financial barriers play a substantial role in treatment adherence.
Side effects also appear to drive discontinuation.Patients with a prior history of gastrointestinal medication use were 9% more likely to stop semaglutide within the first year, perhaps due to increased susceptibility to common adverse effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Similarly, individuals with a history of psychiatric medication use were 12% more likely to discontinue, and those living with cardiovascular disease or other chronic conditions showed approximately a 10% increased likelihood of early cessation, suggesting a higher risk of experiencing adverse effects. Researchers noted this is particularly concerning as individuals with obesity-related health problems stand to benefit the most from the treatment.
Gender differences were also observed, with men being 12% more likely to stop treatment within a year than women. This may be linked to differing weight loss outcomes, as women generally experience greater weight loss with GLP-1RA medications than men.
“These results are new and shed light on the reasons for high rates of early discontinuation of semaglutide for weight loss in a real-world setting,” stated Professor Thomsen, a researcher involved in the study. “With over half of adults in Europe living with overweight or obesity, understanding who may benefit most from interventions that encourage adherence is essential to improving treatment use and subsequent health outcomes and quality of life.”
The study’s authors acknowledge limitations, including the lack of readily available data on Body Mass Index (BMI) and individual income levels, insurance coverage, or out-of-pocket expenses. They also note that the study likely underestimated the impact of milder side effects and did not track the amount of weight loss achieved by patients after starting semaglutide.
