Danish researchers analyzed data from over 77,000 people using anti-obesity medications without diabetes. They found 52 percent stopped taking their drugs within 12 months. Eighteen percent quit within three months, 31 percent within six months, and 42 percent within nine months.
Patients under 30 were 48 percent more likely to quit than those aged 45 to 59. Men and residents of poorer areas also stopped at higher rates. Researchers suggested these groups may experience more side effects or face financial barriers.
GLP-1 Drugs Work Only with Long-Term Use
Ozempic and Wegovy mimic a hormone that suppresses appetite. People often regain weight if they stop taking them.
Professor Reimar W. Thomsen of Aarhus University emphasized that patients lose all appetite-control benefits when they discontinue treatment. He said these medications are not temporary solutions.
Side Effects and Costs Influence Adherence
Researchers found patients with chronic health conditions or prior gastrointestinal or psychiatric medications were more likely to quit. These patients may face nausea, vomiting, or other adverse effects.
A month’s supply of Ozempic costs up to €313 in Denmark if patients lack type 2 diabetes coverage. In Germany, the same supply costs about €120. Researchers believe high prices limit access and contribute to early discontinuation.
Supporting Patients Could Improve Health Outcomes
Thomsen stressed that improving adherence could prevent heart disease, cancer, and addiction. He called for strategies to help patients continue therapy.
“With over half of European adults overweight or obese, identifying who benefits most from long-term treatment remains critical,” he said. Researchers hope these findings will inform policy and clinical approaches.
Presentation at Diabetes Conference
The study, not yet published in a medical journal, will appear at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Vienna. Experts will discuss adherence strategies and their potential impact on long-term patient outcomes.
