Diabetes Patients Discontinued Insulin Usage in Study
Researchers analyzed electronic health records to evaluate insulin cessation among older diabetic patients.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Diabetes
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A study of nearly 9,000 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs patients found that approximately 17% were able to discontinue insulin use. The research evaluated whether newer diabetes medications, including GLP-1 agonists, helped patients safely stop insulin therapy.
Why it matters
Patients often look to reduce or stop insulin to avoid negative side effects such as hypoglycemia and weight gain. This research sought to determine if various drug classes offer a viable pathway to eliminate the need for insulin injections.
The study cohort included patients over 65 years old with A1c levels greater than 9%. While participants lost weight on medications—20.2% on tirzepatide and 13.7% on semaglutide—only 10% of the overall patient group consulted an endocrinologist.
The players
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
This federal agency manages a comprehensive healthcare system for military veterans and provided the electronic health records used in the study.
The details
Researchers compared insulin discontinuation rates among patients using GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, or DPP-4 inhibitors to see if any class proved superior for cessation. Results showed little difference in success rates between these specific medication categories.
Timeline
The study findings were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in September 2026.
The Big Picture
This study utilizes the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs electronic health records database to track long-term treatment outcomes for veterans, extending prior research into chronic disease management. It specifically isolates and compares insulin cessation patterns across modern drug classes.
Patients may find that switching to newer medications could potentially allow them to reduce or end their reliance on insulin. Discussing these findings with a primary care provider or endocrinologist can help determine if such a transition is safe and appropriate for individual health needs.
The takeaway
While 17% of participants successfully stopped using insulin, these decisions should always be made under strict medical supervision. Patients should focus on long-term glucose control rather than rapid discontinuation to ensure sustained health benefits.
Further reading
For more information on current treatment trends, visit the Diabetes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
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