Millions of Americans are not taking their GLP-1 drugs as prescribed
Cost and access barriers are pushing people to modified use and unapproved versions.
GLP-1 medications, which are effective for diabetes, weight loss and various chronic health conditions, have seen widespread usage. However, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that millions of Americans are not adhering to their prescribed usage of these drugs, raising concerns about safety and efficacy.
According to the study published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, approximately 27 million adults, or 9.8 percent of US adults, were utilizing GLP-1 drugs in 2025. Among those using the medication, nearly half (44 percent) reported deviations from the prescribed usage, such as skipping doses, delaying refills, and utilizing lesser doses.
The primary reasons for these modifications were cost and availability issues, particularly affecting younger users aged 14 to 39, with 58 percent citing cost as a barrier, compared to 20 percent of those aged 65 or older.
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