Older Americans Abandon Weight‑Loss Medications in Large Numbers

Rising costs and side effects drive patients off GLP‑1 therapies

Recent research shows that roughly 50 % of senior patients who started GLP‑1 receptor agonists—drugs widely praised for weight loss and diabetes control—discontinued them within the first year.

Clinical trials demonstrate clear advantages, such as significant weight reduction and improved blood‑sugar levels, yet many older adults find the treatments unsustainable.

The primary reasons for the high discontinuation rate are twofold: the steep out‑of‑pocket price, often exceeding $1,000 per month even with insurance assistance, and unpleasant side effects like nausea, vomiting, and persistent gastrointestinal discomfort.

Dr. Maria Sanchez, an endocrinologist at the University of Chicago, cautions that “the financial strain combined with adverse reactions creates a perfect storm for non‑adherence, especially among retirees on fixed incomes.”

These findings highlight a pressing dilemma for healthcare providers: how to reconcile the proven efficacy of GLP‑1 drugs with the real‑world affordability and tolerability challenges faced by older patients.