A new study has found that prescriptions for obesity medications are increasing, and this trend matches the rise in online searches for these drugs. The study was published on January 29 in JAMA Network Open and was conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
The researchers wanted to understand how often obesity medications are being prescribed and whether public interest, reflected in online searches, aligns with these prescription trends. They examined data on prescriptions and online search volumes over time, looking for patterns.
During the study period, nearly 70 million obesity drug prescriptions were filled in the United States. The number of monthly prescriptions grew significantly over the years. In mid-2017, about 760,000 to 800,000 prescriptions were written each month.
By early 2024, this number had nearly doubled to 1.5 million per month. This means that the number of prescriptions grew by an average of 5.3% per year. In February 2024 alone, obesity drugs made up 0.41% of all prescriptions in the country.
The most commonly prescribed medications included phentermine, semaglutide (sold under the brand name Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), and tirzepatide (Zepbound). Among these, phentermine was prescribed the most, with 740,000 prescriptions in February 2024. Wegovy followed with 420,000 prescriptions, while Zepbound had about 250,000.
At the same time, online searches for these drugs followed a similar pattern. People searched for Wegovy, Zepbound, and phentermine at rates of 636.3, 468.9, and 301.8 per 10 million online searches, respectively. The data showed a strong link between the number of prescriptions and the frequency of online searches, especially for Wegovy and Zepbound.
The researchers believe that these findings are important for healthcare professionals and policymakers. The study highlights how quickly doctors and other medical providers are adopting new obesity treatments and how public interest in these medications is growing.
One of the study’s authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry, which is worth considering when interpreting the results.
Analysis of the Findings
This study provides valuable insight into the increasing use of obesity drugs. The rising prescription numbers suggest that more doctors are treating obesity as a medical condition that requires medication. It also reflects the growing availability of newer drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, which have been shown to help with weight loss.
The link between prescriptions and online searches suggests that public awareness and curiosity about obesity treatments are growing. When people search for these drugs online, it could mean they are considering weight loss medications or learning more about them before consulting a doctor.
However, the study does not explain why more people are seeking these drugs. It is possible that obesity rates are rising, or that new medications have made treatment more appealing. Social media and news coverage of weight loss drugs may also play a role in increasing public interest.
While the growing use of obesity medications could benefit many people struggling with weight-related health issues, there are also concerns. Some of these drugs have side effects, and long-term effects are still being studied. Additionally, their popularity might lead to overuse or off-label use by people who do not meet medical criteria for these prescriptions.
Overall, this study shows that obesity medications are becoming more common, both in doctor’s offices and in public discussions. Healthcare providers and policymakers should pay attention to this trend to ensure these drugs are used safely and effectively.
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The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
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