by About one in ten U.S. adults used a GLP-1 medication in the past 12 months, according to a CDC report published November 12, 2026. The report puts that share at 9.8% (95% confidence interval 9.0% to 10.7%), based on a survey fielded in July and August 2025. Women reported use at 11.9% and men at 7.6%. Adults aged 40 to 64 had the highest rate by age, at 13.7%. Below you'll find the numbers by sex and age, the share of users who reported compounded versions, and how many people changed their doses.
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Quick facts as of 2026-11-12
These are the headline figures from the CDC report.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| U.S. adults who used a GLP-1 medication in the past 12 months | 9.8% (95% CI 9.0% to 10.7%) |
| Users who reported compounded GLP-1 use | 22.6% of users (95% CI 18.9% to 26.8%) |
| Users unsure whether their medication was compounded | 8.8% of users, counted separately |
| Users who modified their use, such as skipping doses | 44% of users |
| Users with overweight or obesity | 80% of users |
| U.S. adults with obesity (background figure in the report) | About 40% |
| Survey window and size | July and August 2025; 8,118 completed surveys |
What the CDC report found
The CDC published the findings on November 12, 2026, in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), volume 75, issue 44, pages 645 to 651. You can read the full CDC MMWR report on GLP-1 use.
The survey asked adults whether they had used an oral or injectable diabetes or weight-loss medication in the past 12 months. The 976 people who reported using a GLP-1 medication were then asked about compounded versions and whether they had changed how they took it.
How the survey was run
The survey ran through the CDC Rapid Surveys System, Round 7, on two online probability-based panels: NORC AmeriSpeak and Ipsos KnowledgePanel. It was fielded in July and August 2025 and produced 8,118 completed surveys. Cumulative response rates were 13.3% for AmeriSpeak and 3.8% for KnowledgePanel, and the survey completion rate was 62.6%. Results were weighted to National Health Interview Survey population totals, and estimates carry 95% confidence intervals.
The report's authors name three limitations. First, the low response rates may affect how well the results represent all adults, and CDC adjusted through weighting. Second, online panels can leave out people without reliable internet or computer access. Third, self-reported answers can carry response or recall bias, though cognitive interviews with a separate sample suggested respondents generally understood the questions.
How many Americans take GLP-1 drugs by sex and age?
Women reported higher use than men. Use was lowest among adults 18 to 39 and highest among adults 40 to 64.
| Group | Used a GLP-1 medication in the past 12 months (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| All U.S. adults | 9.8% (9.0% to 10.7%) |
| Women | 11.9% (10.7% to 13.3%) |
| Men | 7.6% (6.7% to 8.7%) |
| Ages 18 to 39 | 4.8% (3.8% to 5.9%) |
| Ages 40 to 64 | 13.7% (12.3% to 15.2%) |
| Ages 65 and older | 11.1% (9.2% to 13.3%) |
Who uses them by weight and health condition
About 40% of U.S. adults have obesity, the report says, and about 29 million have diagnosed diabetes. Reported use also rises with weight category.
| Weight category (BMI) | Used a GLP-1 medication in the past 12 months |
|---|---|
| Healthy weight | 4.7% |
| Overweight | 8.1% (6.8% to 9.5%) |
| Obesity, class 1 or 2 | 15.6% (13.8% to 17.6%) |
| Obesity, class 3 (severe) | 24.1% (20.0% to 28.6%) |
Among users, 80% had overweight or obesity: 25.2% overweight and 53.8% with obesity.
The report also compares adults with a health condition who used a GLP-1 medication against adults without that condition.
| Condition | Adults with the condition who used | Adults without the condition who used |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | 47.4% | 5.7% |
| Sleep apnea | 23.3% | 8.1% |
| Cardiovascular disease | 21.4% | 9.0% |
Among users, 59.0% reported prediabetes, 56.2% hypertension and 49.1% high cholesterol.
How many GLP-1 users take compounded versions?
22.6% of users (95% CI 18.9% to 26.8%) reported compounded GLP-1 use. Another 8.8% were unsure whether their medication was compounded, and the report counts them separately. Women users reported compounded use at 27.3%, compared with 14.8% of men.
According to FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs, unapproved versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness and quality before they are marketed. The safety points in this section come from FDA and the report's authors, not from the survey itself.
FDA says it is aware of fraudulent compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide with false label information, and that in some cases the compounding pharmacies named on labels do not exist. It also says it received multiple reports of adverse events, some requiring hospitalization, that may be related to dosing errors with compounded injectable semaglutide. As of May 31, 2026, FDA counted 990 adverse event reports associated with compounded semaglutide and more than 730 with compounded tirzepatide. FDA adds that state-licensed pharmacies that are not outsourcing facilities are not required to report adverse events, so events are likely underreported.
The report says compounded versions may be more accessible and affordable, but FDA and the American Diabetes Association have raised safety, quality and effectiveness concerns. It also says many compounding websites implied FDA approval, and that about 80% used brand names, which the authors call a violation of FDA standards.
On shortages, the report says FDA no longer permits bulk compounding of these drugs after a shortage is resolved. It gives the resolution dates as December 19, 2024 for tirzepatide and February 21, 2025 for semaglutide.
Why people skip or change doses
44% of users reported modifying their use. Skipping doses was the most common change, at 28%.
| Measure | Share of users |
|---|---|
| Modified their use in any way | 44% |
| Skipped doses | 28% |
| Modified use, ages 18 to 39 | 54% |
| Modified use, ages 65 and older | 30% |
| Compounded users who modified use | 62% |
| Non-compounded users who modified use | 36% |
| Reduced or stopped because of side effects or symptoms | About 12% |
Among people who modified their use, 38% cited cost and 36% cited availability. Among users in each age group who modified their use, cost came up for 58% of those aged 18 to 39, compared with 20% of those 65 and older. In every age group, at least half of those who changed their use cited cost or availability.
The report also cites a 2022 to 2024 study in which about half of adults with overweight or obesity, without diabetes, who started a GLP-1 drug stopped because of cost or insurance. In that study, 12% could not fill prescriptions because of shortages.
If cost or supply is getting in the way, your prescriber or pharmacist is the right person to bring that to.
Other GLP-1 numbers you may have seen
Several other numbers circulate, and each measures something different. Check the question before you compare the percentages.
| Source | Question it measured | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| CDC MMWR report (survey, July and August 2025) | Used a GLP-1 medication in the past 12 months | 9.8% of U.S. adults |
| KFF Health Tracking Poll (April 2024, reported by The Epoch Times on May 13, 2024) | Whether adults had ever used GLP-1 agonists, and whether they were taking one | 1 in 8 adults had tried them; about 6% were taking one |
| FAIR Health claims analysis (reported by The Daily Beast, July 2025) | Insurance claims for GLP-1 drugs for obesity or diabetes in 2024 | Nearly 4% of Americans |
| New York University study in the journal Obesity (reported by yourNEWS, September 25, 2026) | Adults prescribed a GLP-1 drug with no FDA-approved indication in their health records, 2021 to 2025 | 1,133,953 adults, about 1.2% of 92,415,648 adults without diabetes or a qualifying weight condition in their records |
The 22.6% compounded figure, the 44% who changed their use and the 80% with overweight or obesity are all shares of users, not of all adults. The 8.8% who were unsure are not part of the 22.6%.
Other questions in your list
The CDC report covers GLP-1 use and gives one adult obesity figure, about 40%.
Questions to settle your next step
Bring these to your prescriber or pharmacist, and check the label yourself:
- Which GLP-1 medicine and dose am I on, and does the label match what I was prescribed?
- Is the product FDA-approved, or is it a compounded version?
- Does the pharmacy named on the label check out?
- If cost or supply is a problem, what are my options?
- How does this medicine fit my health history?
If you're still comparing options, the best weight loss plan for you guide lays out the choices. For how these medicines fit with appetite and cravings, see Weight Loss and Appetite Control.
By the New Life Wellness Guide Editorial Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.