REGULATORYRFK Jr.: 14 peptides returning to Category 1 — FDA advisory committee July 2026TRENDINGHexarelin: ↑↑ Surging ��� Trends score 100 as of May 2026UPDATESemaglutide and tirzepatide compounding ended — shortage resolved Feb/May 2025REGULATORYBPC-157, TB-500, thymosin alpha-1, CJC-1295, ipamorelin: expected Category 1 reclassification pendingEVENTpep-talk con ��� First US Peptide Convention · August 2026 · Anaheim CAFDAFDA advisory committee meetings scheduled: late July 2026REGULATORYRFK Jr.: 14 peptides returning to Category 1 — FDA advisory committee July 2026TRENDINGHexarelin: ↑↑ Surging ��� Trends score 100 as of May 2026UPDATESemaglutide and tirzepatide compounding ended — shortage resolved Feb/May 2025REGULATORYBPC-157, TB-500, thymosin alpha-1, CJC-1295, ipamorelin: expected Category 1 reclassification pendingEVENTpep-talk con ��� First US Peptide Convention · August 2026 · Anaheim CAFDAFDA advisory committee meetings scheduled: late July 2026

For research purposes only. Full disclaimer →

Research/Paper
Back to Research Library
PubMedHuman TrialHuman Subjects

Discontinuation and Reinitiation of Dual-Labeled GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among US Adults With Overweight or Obesity.

Rodriguez Patricia J, Zhang Vincent, Gratzl Samuel, Do Duy, Goodwin Cartwright Brianna, Baker Charlotte, Gluckman Ty J, Stucky Nicholas, Emanuel Ezekiel J
JAMA network open2025DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57349
GLP-1 receptor agonistsliraglutidesemaglutidetirzepatide

Quality Score

6/10

Citations

0

Subjects

Human

PeptideVault Analysis

Study Design

Human trial data is the most directly translatable evidence for therapeutic applications. The physiological responses observed here reflect real human biology, not extrapolations from animal models.

Our Assessment

Quality Assessment: 6/10 — This is a solidly conducted study with clear methodology and reasonable conclusions. Minor limitations exist (noted below) but don't undermine the core findings. The evidence here is reliable enough to inform both research direction and practical decision-making.

Findings in Context

These findings advance our understanding of GLP-1 receptor agonists, liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide in meaningful ways. The human-subjects design makes these results particularly relevant for clinical translation.

On the Limitations

Every study has limitations, and being transparent about them is what separates good science from hype. These limitations don't invalidate the findings — they define the boundaries of what we can confidently conclude.

The Takeaway

Bottom line: Decent human data on GLP-1 receptor agonists, liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide. Not the final word, but a meaningful data point that adds to the weight of evidence.

Key Findings

The study found that patients without type 2 diabetes had higher discontinuation rates of GLP-1 receptor agonists compared to those with type 2 diabetes. Weight loss and higher income were associated with lower discontinuation rates, while gastrointestinal adverse events increased the risk of discontinuation.

Limitations

The retrospective nature of the study limits causal inference, and the reliance on electronic health records may introduce selection bias or missing data issues.

PeptideVault Analysis

Exploring the Adherence Challenges and Influencing Factors of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among Patients With Overweight or Obesity

GLP-1 receptor agonistsliraglutidesemaglutidetirzepatide

Adherence Challenges to GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Insights from a Large-Scale Retrospective Study

Published: May 16, 2026 | Source: JAMA network open (2025) | Category: GLP-1 receptor agonists, liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide

Overview

A recent study published in the JAMA Network Open has shed light on the adherence challenges faced by patients using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for weight management. The research reveals that individuals without type 2 diabetes are more likely to discontinue their GLP-1 treatment compared to those with the condition, highlighting significant differences in patient adherence patterns.

Study Background

GLP-1 receptor agonists have become a cornerstone of obesity and diabetes management due to their effectiveness in weight loss and glycemic control. However, ensuring long-term adherence remains a critical challenge. Previous studies have noted varying levels of discontinuation rates but lacked detailed insights into the factors influencing these decisions among patients with overweight or obesity.

What the Research Found

The study analyzed data from 125,474 adults who started using GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide) between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023. Among these patients, 61% had type 2 diabetes. The research found that one-year discontinuation rates were significantly higher for those without type 2 diabetes (64.8%) compared to those with the condition (46.5%). Furthermore, weight loss was associated with lower risks of discontinuing treatment: a 1% reduction in weight from baseline correlated with a 3.1% and 3.3% decrease in discontinuation risk for patients with and without type 2 diabetes, respectively.

What This Means for Peptide Users

The findings suggest that adherence to GLP-1 receptor agonists is influenced by the presence of type 2 diabetes and weight loss outcomes. Patients without type 2 diabetes may face additional challenges in maintaining long-term treatment adherence due to factors such as perceived necessity or side effects like gastrointestinal issues, which can be mitigated through better patient education and support.

Limitations and Caveats

The retrospective nature of the study limits its ability to establish causality between variables. Additionally, reliance on electronic health records introduces potential biases related to data completeness and accuracy. These limitations underscore the need for further research using prospective designs to confirm these findings and explore additional influencing factors such as patient education levels and socioeconomic status.

How This Compares to Previous Research

Previous studies have also noted higher discontinuation rates among patients with overweight or obesity, but this study provides a more nuanced understanding by stratifying results based on the presence of type 2 diabetes. The association between weight loss and adherence aligns with earlier research that emphasized the importance of treatment efficacy in sustaining patient engagement.

Our Analysis

PeptideVault views this study as an important contribution to our understanding of GLP-1 receptor agonist adherence, particularly among patients without type 2 diabetes. While it highlights critical areas for improvement, such as addressing gastrointestinal side effects and enhancing patient education, the retrospective design limits definitive conclusions about causality.

Key Takeaways

  • Higher Discontinuation Rates: Patients without type 2 diabetes have higher discontinuation rates compared to those with the condition.
  • Weight Loss Impact: Weight loss is associated with improved adherence to GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • Gastrointestinal Side Effects: These are significant factors in treatment discontinuation, underscoring the need for better management strategies.

Original Source

Citation: Rodriguez Patricia J, Zhang Vincent, Gratzl Samuel et al. (2025). Discontinuation and Reinitiation of Dual-Labeled GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among US Adults With Overweight or Obesity.. JAMA network open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57349

Access: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39888616/

---

This article is for informational and research purposes only. PeptideVault summarizes and analyzes published research. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Editor's Note

This analysis was written by the PeptideVault research team to make complex findings accessible to the peptide community. We encourage readers to review the source paper for full methodology and data. For more on GLP-1 receptor agonists, explore our research guides.

Citation

Rodriguez Patricia J, Zhang Vincent, Gratzl Samuel et al.. (2025). Discontinuation and Reinitiation of Dual-Labeled GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among US Adults With Overweight or Obesity.. JAMA network open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57349

View full text on PubMed

Related Papers

Efficacy and Safety of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Dual Agonists, and Retatrutide for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: A Bayesian NMA.

Sinha Binayak et al. · Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) · 2025

Medications for Obesity: A Review.

Gudzune Kimberly A et al. · JAMA · 2024

Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.

Rosenstock Julio et al. · Lancet (London, England) · 2021

Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Rubino Domenica et al. · JAMA · 2021

Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Rubino Domenica M et al. · JAMA · 2022

This content is derived from peer-reviewed research for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any peptide-based therapy.