One in eight US residents has used Ozempic or a similar weight-loss drug

• One in eight Americans has used GLP-1 analogue drugs, such as Ozempic
• They are most often used by women aged 50-64, although men predominate in older age groups.
• GLP-1 analogues are associated with relatively common side effects. The two most common are nausea, reported by about half of patients, and diarrhea.

The report is based on the largest study to date estimating the prevalence of these medications, which have revolutionized weight loss in recent years. The study included a sample of 8,800 American adults, of whom 11.8% had used GLP-1 agonists. Another 14% expressed interest in them, and 74% declared they had no plans to use such medications.

The highest percentage of people who have already used them was observed among women aged 50 to 64. Approximately one-fifth of this group has used such a drug. However, among people over 65, greater interest in GLP-1 analogues was observed among men. In the younger group, aged 30-49, women again predominated, using the medication more than twice as often as men.

The study authors noted that GLP-1 analogues are associated with relatively common side effects. The two most common are nausea, reported by approximately half of patients, and diarrhea, reported by one-third of users.

The report also notes that the use of Ozempic and other semaglutide-based medications began to increase rapidly after 2020, when clinical trials confirmed their effectiveness in treating obesity and supporting weight loss, not just diabetes. Since then, prescriptions have tripled.