Trends in GLP ‐1 Receptor Agonist Prescribing Without an Apparent FDA ‐Approved Indication
Authors' conclusion
GLP-1 receptor agonist prescribing without an apparent FDA-approved indication has increased rapidly and disproportionately involves socioeconomically advantaged populations, including individuals without obesity.
Study context
- Population
- US adults without an apparent FDA-approved indication (T2D or obesity with qualifying comorbidities), Cosmos electronic health records 01/2021–12/2025; excluded if no recorded weight ≥ 6 months prior to first prescription
- Participants
- 92,415,648 adults
- Exposure
- GLP-1 RA recipients vs non-recipients among adults without an apparent FDA-approved indication
- Recipientsn = 1,133,953
- Outcome
- GLP-1 RA prescribing among adults without an apparent FDA-approved indication
- Follow-up
- 01/2021-12/2025
Methodological detailselectronic health records
- Electronic health records
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adults without an apparent FDA-approved indication prescribed GLP-1 RA
1,133,953
1.2%
Prescribing increased from 2021 to 2025 (15-fold)
0.1% to 1.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Median BMI, recipients vs non-recipients
- Recipients had higher median BMI (kg/m²)
- 25.9 vs. 24.5
Demographics of recipients
- Female
- 85.5%
- White
- 60.0%
- Normal BMI
- 35.1%
Comorbidities
- Eating disorders more frequent
- 1.8% vs. 0.3%
- Hypertension and dyslipidemia were more common, while coronary artery disease and HF were less prevalent
Socioeconomic factors
- GLP-1 RA use was associated with lower social vulnerability and private insurance
Original publication
Trends in GLP ‐1 Receptor Agonist Prescribing Without an Apparent FDA ‐Approved Indication. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 22 September 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →