Nearly 4 in 10 patients with type 2 diabetes stop their GLP-1 medication within the first year of treatment, according to research presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, ENDO 2026. While discontinuation rates climb to nearly 6 in 10 by the end of two years, the data reveals a high frequency of patients restarting their therapy, suggesting a cyclical “start-and-stop” pattern rather than permanent abandonment of treatment.
Why do patients stop GLP-1 medications?
Discontinuation is often driven by demographic factors and side effects, according to Sainikhil Sontha, a research associate at the Boston University School of Public Health. Analysis of claims data from over 60,000 Americans indicates that patients on Medicaid or Medicare and Black patients face higher risks of dropping their regimen within the first 12 months. Physical barriers also play a significant role: 37% of patients who discontinued treatment reported experiencing nausea or other gastrointestinal side effects.
Does the choice of drug influence long-term adherence?
The specific medication prescribed appears to influence how long a patient remains on therapy. Research presented by Sontha shows that patients taking newer medications, such as tirzepatide, were 41% less likely to discontinue treatment than those taking older drugs like liraglutide. Similarly, semaglutide users were 28% less likely to stop their medication compared to those on older, traditional therapies. This trend suggests that newer formulations may offer better tolerability or efficacy, which helps patients maintain their treatment schedules.
What is the impact of a “start-and-stop” pattern?
The cyclical nature of GLP-1 use carries clinical risks. Sontha notes that consistent use is essential for the medication’s protective effects, which include reducing the risk of heart attacks and preventing the progression of kidney disease. Interrupted treatment can lead to missed opportunities for these long-term health benefits. However, the data offers a silver lining: among those who stop, 41.5% restart within a year, and 58% return to therapy within two years, indicating that many patients eventually return to their treatment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is defined as discontinuation in this study? Researchers defined discontinuation as having a gap of more than 60 days in filling a GLP-1 prescription.
- Are stomach side effects common? Yes, 37% of those who stopped their medication cited nausea or other stomach-related issues as a factor.
- Does the type of doctor matter? According to the study, patients seen by an endocrinologist were 10% more likely to stay on their medication than those seeing other types of providers.
- Is this trend specific to obesity? The study focused specifically on adults aged 18 to 64 with a BMI of 25 or higher and a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
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