KFF Health Tracking Poll July 2023: The Public’s Views Of New Prescription Weight Loss Drugs And Prescription Drug Costs
Findings
Both Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of type 2 diabetes; Wegovy (semaglutide) has been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. These medications, all known as GLP-1 agonists, are typically administered as a routine injection. Currently, these prescription drugs come with a price tag for many adults, as insurance coverage is limited, out-of-pocket costs remain high and current US law prohibits Medicare from covering drugs used for weight loss. The most common side effects of these drugs include mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea and vomiting.
This is based upon adults who said a doctor or other health care provider has told them they are overweight or obese in the past five years and may differ from clinical estimates of obesity rates. For additional information on obesity rates in the U.S., see KFF’s State Health Facts on obesity.
Recent clinical trials have been studying the efficacy of these drugs when taken in pill form.
A recent study showed that participants regained most of their lost weight back after discontinuing semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy)