A new analysis by Prime Therapeutics and Magellan Rx Management (MRx) has found that three out of four patients discontinue using semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, within two years of being prescribed the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) for weight loss.

The study examined pharmacy and medical claims data for 3,364 insured individuals diagnosed with obesity who received new prescriptions for GLP-1 RAs between January and December 2021. Notably, the analysis excluded patients using the drugs for type 2 diabetes, the original purpose of GLP-1 RAs.

Although the report did not investigate the reasons behind the high discontinuation rate, it offers a sobering view of the real-world experiences of those taking these medications. According to the analysis, only 24.1% of patients remained on Wegovy without a gap of 60 days or more over two years, a decline from 36% who stayed on the medication for one year. For Ozempic, 22.2% of patients continued filling their prescriptions at two years, down from 47.1% after one year.

Dr. Patrick Gleason, assistant vice president for health outcomes at Prime/MRx and coauthor of the analysis, suggested several factors likely contribute to patients stopping the medication. These include side effects such as nausea and vomiting, out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance, and supply shortages. Additionally, some patients may choose to discontinue the drug after achieving their desired weight loss, despite research indicating that many regain the weight after stopping the medication.

"GLP-1s are unlikely to deliver therapeutic value when so many individuals stop treatment after two years," said David Lassen, chief clinical officer at Prime/MRx, in a news release. "The findings also illustrate the need for obesity care management programs to improve adherence."

The study underscores the challenges faced by patients using GLP-1 RAs for weight loss and highlights the importance of developing strategies to enhance medication adherence and support long-term weight management.