US Record Uptake of GLP-1 Weight‑Loss Drugs Spurs Market Surge

A Gallup poll shows that 11 % of U.S. adults are currently using GLP‑1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) for weight loss, up from 3 % a year earlier. The surge has driven strong earnings for manufacturers; Eli Lilly reported $12.9 billion in combined sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound in Q1 and raised its 2026 revenue outlook. An oral GLP‑1 tablet, Foundayo, was approved in April, promising broader consumer uptake.

Analysts now project the global anti‑obesity drug market could reach $114 billion by 2030. In the United States, the Trump administration launched a temporary Medicare program covering GLP‑1 drugs at $50 per month for eligible patients, expanding federal involvement. Critics warn about high out‑of‑pocket costs—often over $1,000 per month—and report a rise in side‑effects ranging from nausea to more serious gastrointestinal issues.

European commentary notes the drugs’ potent efficacy but also significant adverse events; a German meta‑analysis linked the most effective agents to higher rates of digestive problems. In Brazil, doctors advise preserving muscle mass through protein intake and resistance training while using GLP‑1 injections. The UK has approved Wegovy as the first daily GLP‑1 tablet for weight management.