About 27 million US adults used a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist in 2025. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published this finding in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report after analyzing survey data from over 8,000 adults collected between July and August of 2025. This figure represents 9.8 percent of the US adult population.
Barriers to prescribed dosing
Nearly 44 percent of GLP-1 users reported using the medication in a way that was different from how their doctors prescribed it. These users skipped doses, delayed getting refills, or used smaller doses than prescribed. More than half of these people said they modified their use because of cost or availability. Younger users faced the worst obstacles. Specifically, 58 percent of adults aged 14 – 39 cited cost as a barrier, while only 20 percent of adults aged 65 or older reported the same issue.
At least 23 percent of all GLP-1 users used a compounded version of the drug, and an additional 9 percent said they did not know if their medication was compounded. Modified use was particularly common among those using these compounded versions. I find the high rate of unapproved usage concerning because it raises questions about safety and efficacy when patients do not follow medical instructions.
| User Group | Percentage using GLP-1 | % of 14 – 39s citing cost | % of 65+ citing cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Adults | 9.8% | 58% | 20% |
