(103) Weight Loss Medication Prescribing Patterns: Real-World Data Analysis from 2015 to 2023

Background: Weight loss medications have evolved significantly in recent years, with various classes of drugs now available on the market. Understanding the prescribing patterns and the populations receiving these medications over time is essential for anticipating healthcare needs and potential shortages.

Objectives: The aim of this analysis is to describe the trends in weight loss medication prescriptions over the years and to present the characteristics of the patients receiving these treatments.

Methods: We analyzed Electronic Health Records (EHRs) from 2015 to 2023 to identify adult patients who were prescribed one of the following medications: liraglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, orlistat, or topiramate. The study included patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m², as well as those with a diagnosis of obesity, overweight, or severe obesity if BMI data were missing. To standardize the number of prescriptions over the years, we divided the data by the total number of prescriptions for each year. The trends for each weight loss medication were stratified by gender.

Results: A total of 9,082 prescriptions were identified for 2,770 unique patients. Between 2015 and 2018, the distribution of male and female patients receiving weight loss medications was roughly equal. However, after 2018, the number of female patients exceeded that of male patients by more than a two-to-one ratio. Half of the study sample was above 40 years of age. The average BMI for male patients was lower than that for female patients. In terms of medication trends, topiramate was the most prescribed weight loss medication in 2015, accounting for 72.5% of all prescriptions. From 2016 to 2021, liraglutide dominated the market, with its peak at 90% of weight loss medication prescriptions in 2020. Since 2021, semaglutide has become the most prescribed, with over 80% of prescriptions. The most common switching pattern observed was from orlistat to liraglutide, which accounted for 30% of all switches.

Conclusions: This analysis of Electronic Health Records from 2015 to 2023 reveals significant trends in the prescribing patterns of weight loss medications. The shift in gender distribution, with a notable increase in female patients after 2018, and the dominance of certain medications, such as liraglutide and semaglutide in recent years, highlight the evolving landscape of weight loss treatments. These findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of prescribing patterns and patient demographics to inform healthcare planning and address potential shortages in weight loss medications.