How many people use injectable weight loss drugs?

(NewsNation) — An estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults have used injectable diabetes medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday.

The nationwide survey found 6% of Americans say they have tried the drugs for weight reduction, with 3% currently taking the injections for that purpose.

Use was slightly higher among women, those with health insurance and adults aged 40 to 64. Popularity has soared since the Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy in 2021 for weight loss.

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Close to two-thirds of Americans who have taken weight loss injections say the drugs have been effective or extremely effective at helping them lose weight, according to Gallup.

Perceived effectiveness was lower (48%) for those 65 and older compared to younger adults.

The poll suggests a higher disease burden among users. Both current and past users were more likely to be obese compared to those who never took the medicines.

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Rates of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes were substantially higher in current and former users versus non-users. However, past users reported better numbers in those areas than current users.

Nearly three-quarters of current users called the drugs effective or extremely effective, compared with 53% of past users.

The findings are based on web interviews with 5,577 adults across the U.S. from March 4-9.

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