Self-medication with GLP-1 receptor agonists among Brazilian Adults: findings from a web-based survey
Authors' conclusion
Almost one in four users reported using GLP-1 RAs without medical prescription. This practice was more frequent among individuals without obesity, those not attending physical training centers, and healthcare professionals.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged ≥18 years residing in Brazil with current or past use of GLP-1 RAs for weight loss; mean age 39.46 ± 10.61 years, 82.0% female, 47.1% with obesity
- Participants
- 860 adults
- Outcome
- Proportion of GLP-1 RA use without medical prescription (self-medication)
Methodological detailsweb-based survey, self-administered online questionnaire
- Web-based survey
- Self-administered online questionnaire
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Self-medication with GLP-1 RA
Proportion of self-medication with GLP-1 RA
23.8%
95% CI 21.1–26.8%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors associated with self-medication (Poisson regression with robust variance, adjusted)
- Not having obesity: PR
- 1.45 (95% CI 1.13-1.89)
- Not attending physical training centers: PR
- 1.55 (95% CI 1.23-1.96)
- Working in healthcare-related professions: PR
- 1.45 (95% CI 1.14-1.84)
- Being married: PR
- 0.73 (95% CI 0.57-0.94)
- Having diabetes: PR
- 0.35 (95% CI 0.18-0.70)
- Having eating disorders: PR
- 0.72 (95% CI 0.34-0.97)
- Adjusted for potential confounders
Original publication
Self-medication with GLP-1 receptor agonists among Brazilian Adults: findings from a web-based survey. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 20 August 2026. doi:10.
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