A recent study has found a significant increase in the prescriptions of obesity management drugs (OMDs) in the U.S., with a notable correlation between prescription trends and public interest, as reflected in online search activity.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open on January 29, was led by Dr. Philipp Berning from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Researchers analyzed prescription data and online search trends for OMDs over a multi-year period, uncovering a steady rise in both areas.
Between July 2017 and June 2018, there were 0.76 to 0.80 million OMD prescriptions dispensed. This number grew significantly from March 2023 to February 2024, reaching 1.29 to 1.51 million prescriptions, marking a mean annual growth rate of 5.3%. By February 2024, total monthly prescriptions had climbed to 1.5 million, accounting for 0.41% of all prescriptions nationwide.
The most commonly prescribed OMDs during this period included phentermine, semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), and tirzepatide (Zepbound). As of February 2024, phentermine led with 0.74 million prescriptions, followed by Wegovy at 0.42 million, and Zepbound at 0.25 million.
In line with these trends, online search data showed similar patterns. For example, search volumes in February 2024 were highest for Wegovy, Zepbound, and phentermine, with respective rates of 636.3, 468.9, and 301.8 per 10 million searches. Notably, Wegovy and Zepbound exhibited the strongest correlation between prescription numbers and search volumes.
The findings, according to the authors, provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and policymakers. They suggest that the growing adoption of advanced obesity treatments by clinicians—including non-physician providers—reflects increasing public interest in these medications.
One of the study’s authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
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