How Many Americans Are on Ozempic?

Report highlights. One in eight American adults (12%) report having ever used Ozempic or another GLP-1/GIP medications (such as Ozempic, Wegovy®, or Mounjaro®), including 6% who are currently taking one.

Among those who have used these medications, 62% said it was to treat a chronic condition such as diabetes or heart disease, while 38% said they used them solely for weight loss.
About half (54%) of Americans who have used GLP-1 medications, including those with health insurance, say they had difficulty affording them.
Six in ten adults (61%) think Medicare should cover weight-loss medications for people who are overweight.
Sales of GLP-1 medications continue to rise, and Ozempic and Wegovy generate more than $25 billion in combined sales in 2024.
Revenue in the GLP-1 market is projected to exceed $100 billion annually by 2030. In fact, one forecast estimates it could soar to $471 billion annually by 2032.

Who uses weight-loss medications?

Demographic breakdowns reveal that older adults use medications like Ozempic for medical reasons, while younger adults turn to them for weight loss. These drugs are especially popular among Black and Hispanic communities, and usage is sharply higher in those with diabetes or heart disease.

GLP-1 medication use varies across demographic groups, with clear differences by age, health status, and ethnicity in both usage rates and reasons for taking the medication.

GLP-1 users by age

American usage of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications varies widely by age. Older adults are more likely to use them for medical reasons, and younger adults are more likely to take them for weight loss.

Adults ages 50 to 64 have the highest reported use of GLP-1 medications among age groups; 19% say they have taken them. In this group, 9% used the medications specifically to treat a chronic condition such as heart disease or diabetes, the highest rate of medical use across all age groups.
Younger adults ages 18 to 29 report a lower overall usage rate, at 10%. However, they stand out for their motivations. In this group, 7% say they have used GLP-1 medications specifically to lose weight—the highest weight-loss usage rate across any age group.
13% of adults aged 30 to 49 have used GLP-1 medications, including 6% saying they used them for weight loss, 3% to treat a chronic condition, and 1% for both.
Seniors aged 65 and older report the lowest usage rate at 9%, and most (6%) use the medications to treat a chronic condition. Only 1% reported using GLP-1 medications for weight loss.

Weight-loss medication use by diagnosed condition and usage purpose

GLP-1 medication use is highest among Americans with diabetes, and overall, slightly more users take them to manage chronic conditions than to lose weight.

43% of adults who have diabetes say they have used GLP-1 medications. Usage is also high among adults with heart disease, at 26%.
22% of those who were told by a doctor that they are overweight or obese report having used GLP-1 medications.
Among American adults who have taken these medications, 62% said they used them both to treat a chronic condition such as diabetes or heart disease and to lose weight, including 39% who said they used the medications only to treat a chronic condition.
23% used GLP-1 medications both for weight loss and for treating a chronic condition.
38% say they used the medications only to lose weight.

Ozempic and GLP-1 usage by ethnicity

Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely to use GLP-1 medications as compared to white Americans, aligning with higher obesity rates in these groups.

Black adults report the highest usage of GLP-1 medications among racial and ethnic groups, at 18%, followed by Hispanic adults at 13%.
White adults report the lowest usage at 10%.

Cost and access to weight-loss drugs

While highly effective, GLP-1 medications come at a steep price—up to $1,349 per month, often only partially covered by insurance. Even insured users report difficulty affording them, over half of whom find them somewhat or very hard to pay for.

So, although GLP-1 medications are growing in popularity, their high price tags and limited insurance coverage make affordability a major concern for many Americans.

In the US, GLP-1 medications generally cost between $936 to $1,349 for a month’s supply (4 weekly shots) before factoring in insurance, discounts, or coupons.
Ozempic and Rybelsus® (tablet) are on the lower end, priced at around $936 for a month’s supply without insurance or discounts. Mounjaro costs approximately $1,023, while Wegovy is the most expensive at $1,349.
A majority (57%) of GLP-1 users who have health insurance say their plan partially covered the cost, requiring them to pay the remainder out-of-pocket. In comparison, just 24% had full coverage through insurance, while 19% had to pay the entire cost themselves.
Roughly half (54%) of people who have used GLP-1 medications say it was “somewhat or very difficult” to afford them, including 53% of those with health insurance.
22% of American adults said they found the cost “very difficult” to manage, with a similar share among insured users (23%).

Public support for medications like Ozempic clashes with Medicare policy gaps

Despite strong public backing for Medicare to cover GLP-1s for weight loss (61%), current policy only covers them for certain conditions. Users, especially those who’ve seen positive results, overwhelmingly support expanded coverage.

About 61% of adults across age groups (six in ten adults) feel Medicare should cover GLP-1 medications used to support weight loss in individuals who are overweight. This number rises to 71% among those who have previously taken these medications.
Support for Medicare coverage is highest among Democrats (66%) and Independents (63%), while 55% of Republicans agree that Medicare should cover GLP-1 medications for weight loss.
Support for Medicare coverage is also higher among people who have used GLP-1 medications previously (71%) compared to those who have never used them (60%).

A global price disparity for GLP-1 drugs

The US pays far more than peer nations for the same medications—up to 10x higher—highlighting the nation’s fractured pharmaceutical pricing structure and raising questions about equitable access.

GLP-1 medications are significantly cheaper in many other high-income countries compared to the US.

Ozempic is priced at about $169 for a month’s supply in Japan. It is even lower, under $100, in countries like Sweden, the UK, Australia, and France, where costs are roughly one-tenth of the US list price of $936.
Rybelsus, which shares a similar US price of $936 with Ozempic, is listed at about $158 per month in Canada, which is about one-sixth of the US price. In Japan, it is priced even lower at $69.
Wegovy is priced at $328 in Germany and $296 in the Netherlands, well below the US level of $1,349.
Mounjaro also sees substantial price differences, costing around $444 in the Netherlands and $319 in Japan, versus $1,023 in the US.

Explosive market growth for weight-loss medications

The GLP-1 market is booming: $26 billion in sales in 2024, projected to hit $100–470 billion annually by 2032, dominated by just two pharmaceutical giants: Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

With 30 million Americans projected to be on these medications by 2030, this isn’t a trend—it’s a transformation.

GLP-1 medications are driving significant shifts in the pharmaceutical market, with soaring demand, rising prescriptions, and multi-billion-dollar growth projections.

The GLP-1 market is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2030. This demand is fueled equally by use for diabetes and obesity. Another estimate puts this number at $471 billion.
The global market for GLP-1 weight-loss medications alone was valued at around $13.84 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.54%, reaching nearly $48.84 billion by 2030.
North America leads the GLP-1 medications market, generating 77.72% of global revenue for GLP-1 receptor agonists and 75.5% for GLP-1 weight-loss medications in 2024. The US contributed the majority of the region’s revenue, accounting for 95.2% of the weight-loss medication segment.
By 2030, the number of GLP-1 users in the US could reach 30 million, representing approximately 9% of the population.
GLP-1 medications accounted for 5.4% of all American adult prescriptions in September 2024, up from 3.5% in 2023.
Over 90% of GLP-1 drugs on the market are sold by two companies: Novo Nordisk (maker of Ozempic and Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (maker of Mounjaro and Zepbound).
Ozempic and Wegovy alone accounted for $26 billion in annual sales in 2024.
As of June 2025, Novo Nordisk had a market value of $330 billion, while Eli Lilly was valued at $704 billion.

Which GLP-1 medication is the most popular?

Ozempic is the most popular GLP-1 medication in the US, with the highest share of prescriptions in 2024.

2% of American adults were prescribed Ozempic in 2024.
Mounjaro ranked second, prescribed to nearly 1% of adults, followed closely by Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda® together at around 0.7%.

User experiences with weight-loss medications and side effects

GLP-1 medications have been linked to a range of side effects, from common issues like nausea to more serious gastrointestinal complications, and injectable medications show higher risks compared to oral alternatives.

According to a 2023 study, about 1% of Ozempic users and 0.7% of Saxenda users developed stomach paralysis, compared to 0.3% of those taking Contrave®. This represents a more than threefold higher risk of stomach paralysis for those on injectable GLP-1 medications.
Pancreatitis was reported in 0.5% of Ozempic users and 0.8% of Saxenda users, compared to just 0.01% of those on Contrave.
Bowel obstructions were reported in 0.8% of Saxenda users, versus 0.17% for Contrave. No bowel obstructions were observed in Ozempic users.
In another study conducted in 2022, nearly half (48.6%) of Americans taking semaglutide (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) reported experiencing adverse effects.
Nausea and vomiting were the most frequently reported side effects, followed by diarrhea (8.6%), fatigue (6.3%), and constipation (5.7%).

Why some Americans delay or discontinue using Ozempic

Many Americans delay starting or stop using GLP-1 medications due to cost, side effects, and access issues.

Cost is the top barrier to starting GLP-1 medications; 65% of Americans name it as the most relevant reason.
47% say they simply haven’t gotten around to it yet.
39% of adults report concerns about negative side effects.
28% point to a lack of supply of the drugs, an issue that has been widely reported.
Only 16% cite ineffectiveness as a reason, suggesting most believe the medications are effective.
42% of former GLP-1 users said they would be very likely to resume treatment if cost and side effects were reduced.

Health and lifestyle ripple effects among GLP-1 patients

GLP-1 use is reshaping daily habits for many Americans, influencing everything from fitness routines and eating behavior to body image and consumer choices.

Changes in fitness spending

American GLP-1 users are moving away from traditional weight-loss methods, though some report increased dieting and exercise.

61% of GLP-1 users say they no longer use other weight-loss medications, and 60% have stopped working with personal trainers.
Over half (55%) say they no longer participate in structured weight-loss programs like Weight Watchers or boot camps.
25% report they are no longer dieting, while 29% say they are dieting more than before.
A shift in exercise habits is more balanced: 30% say they exercise more frequently, while 25% say they don’t exercise at all.
Only 5% started exercising for the first time while on GLP-1 medication, and 12% are doing so less frequently than before.

How GLP-1 use affects food habits

GLP-1 use is driving noticeable shifts in eating habits, from healthier food choices to reduced overall consumption.

American users are buying about 8% less food for at-home consumption, including snacks, soft drinks, and high-carb items, compared to the average consumer.
Over half (56%) of GLP-1 users say they started making healthier food choices during treatment.
47% report eating smaller portions.
29% say they reduced their spending on food and beverages.
Among heavy alcohol drinkers, one-third (33%) moved into a lower consumption category, such as from heavy to moderate drinking.

Impact on body image and clothing

GLP-1 use has been linked to improved body image, greater confidence, and changes in how patients present themselves and spend on clothing.

About one in three Americans said they felt better about their bodies and more comfortable wearing different types of clothing compared to when they were at a higher weight.
One in five current or former GLP-1 users reported spending more on workout clothing and activewear.
61% of GLP-1 users reported feeling positive about their body image and confidence while on the medication, up from 46% before starting it.
The percentage of users with negative self-image dropped from 23% before taking GLP-1 to 10% during treatment.

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