Danish researchers studied more than 77,000 people using weight loss medications without diabetes. They discovered 52 percent quit within a year. Eighteen percent stopped within three months, 31 percent within six, and 42 percent within nine. Researchers stressed the drugs only work with long-term use.
Factors Driving Patients to Stop Treatment
Younger adults, men, and people in low-income areas stopped the drugs more often. Adults under 30 were 48 percent more likely to quit than those between 45 and 59. People in poorer neighborhoods were 14 percent more likely to discontinue than those in wealthier areas. Chronic health conditions and prior use of psychiatric or gastrointestinal drugs also increased the likelihood of stopping, likely due to unpleasant side effects such as nausea or vomiting.
Costs and Broader Health Implications
In Denmark, a month of Ozempic costs up to €313 without government support, compared with €120 in Germany. The price may limit long-term access. Researchers noted that stopping treatment often causes weight regain, sparking debate about whether patients must take the drugs for life. They also emphasized that the medications lower risks of cancer, addiction, and heart disease. The study’s findings will be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Vienna this week. Researchers urged more support for patients to maintain adherence and improve health outcomes.
