CDC Study Finds 9.8% of U.S. Adults Use GLP-1s
Nearly half of GLP-1 users report taking the medication differently than prescribed, often because of cost or availability.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Diabetes
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A CDC analysis estimates that 9.8% of U.S. adults, roughly 27 million people, used a GLP-1 medication in 2025. Nearly half of those users reported using the drug differently than prescribed, such as skipping doses or delaying refills.
Why it matters
The findings show that many patients are adjusting how they take GLP-1 medications, which can affect how well the treatments work for them. Cost and access appear to be major factors behind those changes.
The CDC analysis is a national survey estimate covering about 27 million U.S. adults, with 23% of GLP-1 users saying they used a compounded version and 9% unsure. The study does not show how modified dosing changes patient health outcomes.
The players
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC is the federal public health agency that conducts national disease surveillance and publishes research through its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The details
Researchers drew on survey responses from more than 8,000 U.S. adults collected in July and August 2025. Respondents who modified their use described skipping doses, delaying refills, or taking smaller doses, and more than half of them cited cost or availability.
Timeline
July and August 2025: Survey responses were collected from more than 8,000 U.S. adults.
2025: The CDC estimated that 9.8% of U.S. adults used GLP-1 medication.
November 14, 2026: The CDC study was published in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Health Landscape
The CDC's use of self-reported adult surveys to track medication use follows the agency's long-standing national surveillance methods. This estimate extends that tracking to GLP-1 drugs, which have become widely used in the U.S. population.
For patients considering or taking GLP-1 medication, the findings highlight that cost and availability can lead to skipped doses or delayed refills. Anyone experiencing these barriers should discuss alternatives or dosing changes with their prescriber before adjusting their treatment.
The takeaway
If cost or access is making it hard to take a GLP-1 medication as prescribed, raising that concern with a healthcare provider can help identify options. Changing doses on your own can affect how well the treatment works.
Further reading
Explore more on Diabetes to see how GLP-1 treatments fit into broader care for the condition.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC Nepal TV.
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