Tirzepatide Dispensations Increased Rapidly After Approval
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, April 15, 2025 -- After approval, tirzepatide dispensations increased markedly among adults with type 2 diabetes prescribed glucose-lowering medications (GLMs) and among adults without diabetes prescribed weight-lowering medications (WLMs), according to a study published online April 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
John W. Ostrominski, M.D., from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues describe trends in insurance claims for GLMs and WLMs after tirzepatide approval in a population-based cohort study using claims data from a large U.S. commercial database from January 2021 to December 2023.
The researchers found that among adults with T2D prescribed GLMs, there was a marked increase in tirzepatide dispensations, reaching 12.3 percent of all GLM dispensations by December 2023. For sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, similar patterns were seen (14.5 to 24.4 percent and 19.5 to 28.5 percent, respectively). There was a decline in dispensations of other GLMs, including metformin. Sharp increases were seen in dispensations of tirzepatide (0.0 to 40.6 percent) and semaglutide (2.4 mg; 0.0 to 32.2 percent) among adults without diabetes but prescribed WLMs; the most frequently dispensed WLM was semaglutide (2.0 mg), increasing from 37.8 to 45.7 percent. Decreases were seen in other WML dispensations. Among incident users, observed trends were similar. Compared with initial postapproval periods for other medications, tirzepatide uptake was more rapid and sustained.
"These findings highlight the rapidly shifting landscape of GLM and WLM use in the United States," the authors write.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted April 2025
Read this next
Weight Loss Continues Five Years After Tummy Tucks
THURSDAY, July 3, 2025 -- Patients undergoing abdominoplasty experience continued weight loss up to five years postoperatively, according to a study published in the July issue...
2011 to 2023 Saw Increase in Prevalence of Obesity Among Children
WEDNESDAY, July 2, 2025 -- The prevalence of obesity increased among children and adolescents from 2011 to 2023, with the increase most pronounced among Black youths, according to...
Obesity Linked to Financial Hardship, Food Insecurity
WEDNESDAY, July 2, 2025 -- Obesity is associated with financial hardship and food insecurity, according to a research letter published online June 24 in the Annals of Internal...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.