New report explores real-world data trends in GLP-1 RA medications

Truveta Research’s real-world data-driven GLP-1 RA monitoring report shows consistent prescribing patterns, highlighting early tirzepatide adoption for obesity amid access challenges and increasing medication popularity.

Recent data on prescribing patterns and patient characteristics for GLP-1 RA medications, used as anti-diabetic medications (ADMs) or anti-obesity medications (AOMs), are limited. The recent surge in interest, largely driven by weight-loss effects, faces challenges such as prohibitive costs, limited insurance coverage for non-type 2 diabetes patients, and medication shortages.

Truveta Research’s report aims to address this gap by leveraging comprehensive, de-identified electronic health record (EHR) data from over 100 million US patients through Truveta Data. The report highlights trends, including the early adoption of tirzepatide for obesity (Zepbound), FDA-approved in November 2023.

From October to December 2023, overall prescribing rates remained stable. Among first-time prescriptions, 86.6% were ADMs, and 13.4% were AOMs. Semaglutide dominated as the most prescribed ADM, with tirzepatide surpassing dulaglutide as the second most prescribed in late 2023. The number of patients with AOM prescriptions increased, with semaglutide leading, followed by liraglutide.

As discussed in the recent webinar hosted by The Evidence Base in association with Truveta, their recent research has shown that patients on tirzepatide were more likely to achieve all weight loss targets than those using semaglutide, regardless of whether they had type 2 diabetes.

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WEBINAR: Enabling timely comparative effectiveness research: head-to-head analysis of GLP-1s for weight loss – VIEW ON DEMAND

 

 

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In December 2023, first-time prescribing rates for GLP-1 RA medications slightly decreased compared to the previous two months. Notably, patients newly prescribed ADMs exhibited higher adherence, with 71.5% filling their prescriptions within 60 days, compared to 45.6% for those prescribed AOMs. Analyzing first-time prescribing trends for ADMs, December 2023 rates were 0.8-times lower than November 2023, with semaglutide maintaining its position as the most commonly first-prescribed ADM.

First-time prescribing of AOMs in December 2023 remained consistent with November 2023. Throughout 2023, overall semaglutide prescribing increased, but first-time prescribing slowed from 0.9% in May 2023 to 0.5% in December 2023, observed across ADM, AOM, and unknown semaglutide. Tirzepatide’s first-time prescribing showed an upward trajectory throughout 2023, with evidence of the first prescriptions for AOM tirzepatide (Zepbound) in December 2023.

With the growing popularity of GLP-1 RA medications and access challenges, Truveta will continually monitor prescribing and dispensing trends. The GLP-1 RA monitoring report provides detailed insights into the patient population, covering demographics, comorbidities, and social determinants of health.