- Overall prescribing rates (GLP-1 RA prescriptions per total prescriptions) in December 2024 were similar to September 2024 (+1.89%).
- Anti-diabetic medication (ADM) prescribing rates in December 2024 were similar to those in September 2024 (-0.88%). Among ADMs, semaglutide (sold as Ozempic) continues to be the most prescribed medication (1.34% of all prescriptions), although prescription rates decreased (-3.92%) in the last quarter.
- Anti-obesity medication (AOM) prescribing increased slightly in December 2024 compared to September 2024 (+6.98%). Amongst AOMs, tirzepatide (sold as Zepbound) was the most prescribed medication (a rate increase of 21.95%). This is the first report with a higher prescription rate for AOM tirzepatide compared to AOM semaglutide (sold as Wegovy).
- Similar to overall prescribing trends, first-time prescribing of AOM semaglutide decreased (-19.92%), while overall prescribing of AOM tirzepatide increased (6.63%). In December 2024, AOM tirzepatide (sold as Zepbound) became the GLP-1 RA with the highest rate of first-time prescriptions.
- There continues to be a gap between the number of prescriptions dispensed for ADMs (68.99% of patients filled an ADM GLP-1 RA prescription within 60 days) compared with AOMs (48.69% of patients filled an AOM GLP-1 RA prescription within 60 days).
Limited recent data exist on prescribing patterns and patient characteristics for GLP-1 RA medications, whether used as anti-diabetic medication (ADM) for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and/or used as an anti-obesity medication (AOM) for patients with overweight or obesity. Interest in these medications has recently accelerated, largely for their weight-loss effects, although access to and use of GLP-1 RA medications may be impacted by high cost, limited insurance coverage for patients without T2D and medication shortages.
To offer insight into the latest trends about these medications, Truveta Research has created the GLP-1 RA monitoring report, which will be updated periodically with fresh, timely data. Truveta Data provides the most representative, complete, and timely patient journey data, including full patient medical records, notes, and images, for more than 120 million patients across the US. Truveta Data is also linked with closed claims for more than 200 million patients. Because Truveta Data is updated daily, we can show the latest trends in these medications.
This blog provides a snapshot of the key findings in the most recent report; including prescribing and medication dispensing (indicates whether the patient picked up the medication) trends. For the full analysis – inclusive of demographics, comorbidities, and social drivers of health data for the population, methodology, additional findings, limitations, and citations – you can view the complete report on MedRxiv or directly within Truveta Studio.
Key findings: Prescribing trends
Using a subset of real-world electronic health record (EHR) data from Truveta, Truveta Research identified people who were prescribed a GLP-1 RA between January 01, 2018 and December 31, 2024. We describe prescribing volumes and patient characteristics over time, by medication, and by FDA-labeled use (e.g., ADM, AOM, or unknown).
Overall prescribing trends
The study found that 1,828,203 patients were prescribed a GLP-1 RA between January 2018 and December 2024, with 8,412,584 total prescriptions during this period.
Overall prescribing rates (GLP-1 RA prescriptions per total prescriptions) in December 2024 were similar relative to September 2024 (+1.89%).
ADM prescribing rates in December 2024 were similar to those in September 2024 (-0.88%). Among ADMs, semaglutide continues to be the most prescribed medication (1.34% of all prescriptions), although prescription rates decreased (-3.92%).
Among AOMs, prescribing increased slightly in December 2024 compared to September 2024 (+6.98%). Amongst AOMs, tirzepatide was the most prescribed medication (a rate increase of 21.95%). This is the first report with a higher prescription rate for AOM tirzepatide (sold as Zepbound) compared to AOM semaglutide (sold as Wegovy).
Trends in first-time prescribing
First-time prescribing rates (first-time GLP-1 RA prescriptions per total prescriptions) in December 2024 decreased slightly compared to rates in September 2024 (-10.25%).
First-time prescribing of ADMs decreased in December 2024 relative to September 2024 (-13.81%), as did first-time prescribing of AOMs (-8.10%).
Similar to overall prescribing trends, first-time prescribing of AOM semaglutide decreased (-19.92%), while overall prescribing of AOM tirzepatide increased (6.63%). In December 2024, AOM tirzepatide (sold as Zepbound) became the GLP-1 RA with the highest rate of first-time prescriptions.
Dispense trends
Dispense refers to prescription fills, indicating that the patient picked up the medication from their pharmacy and provides the closest proxy for use.
During the full time period (2018 – 2024), 69.4% of GLP-1 RA prescriptions had a dispense within 60 days of their prescription (e.g., were initiated within 60 days).
For patients first prescribed an ADM in September 2024, 68.99% filled a GLP-1 RA within 60 days. Initiation rates for ADM GLP-1 RA in September 2024 were similar to June 2024 (+1.08%).
For patients first prescribed an AOM in September 2024, 48.69% filled a GLP-1 RA within 60 days. Initiation rates for AOM GLP-1 RA in September 2024 were similar to June 2024 (+1.16%).
Discussion
With the popularity of GLP-1 RA medications and challenges in access and insurance coverage, we will continue to monitor these prescribing and dispensing trends over time.
The GLP-1 RA monitoring report describes more detailed information about the overall population of patients being prescribed these medications (including demographics and comorbidities), and the proportion and characteristics of patients who filled a GLP-1 RA prescription over time using dispenses. Methodologies, limitations, and citations are also available in the full report. You can view the full study – including codes, definitions, and more – on MedRxiv or directly in Truveta Studio.
These are preliminary research findings and not peer reviewed. All data are preliminary and may change as additional data are obtained. These findings are consistent with data accessed March 3, 2025. Data presented in this analysis represent raw counts and/or rates, and post-stratification methods have not been conducted.
