CDC Report Finds One in Ten US Adults Used GLP-1 Medications in 2025
CDC published data from its Rapid Surveys System collected in July and August 2025 showing that about 9.8 percent of U.S. adults took a GLP-1 medication in the past year. Among adults using these medications, roughly 22.6 percent took a compounded version. The Food and Drug Administration does not review compounded GLP-1 medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they reach consumers. Furthermore, 44 percent of users altered how they used their prescribed medication, often by skipping doses or delaying prescription refills. Cost and availability were the primary reasons given for these changes. Younger adults aged 18 to 39 reported higher rates of modifying their use compared to adults 65 and older, with 58 percent of younger users citing cost as a barrier. These findings show that while GLP-1 use is common across the country, high prices and supply shortages lead many patients to use unregulated compounded versions or alter their dosages without medical supervision.
What was announced
The CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released survey findings from July and August 2025 regarding GLP-1 medication use among U.S. adults. The data showed that 9.8 percent of adults used a GLP-1 medication in the prior 12 months. Use was higher among females at 11.9 percent than males at 7.6 percent. It was also higher among adults with severe obesity at 24.1 percent and adults who reported ever having diabetes at 47.4 percent.
Among users, 22.6 percent reported taking a compounded version of a GLP-1 drug, while another 8.8 percent did not know if their medication was compounded. Private insurance policyholders reported higher compounded drug use at 25.9 percent compared to public insurance policyholders at 12.5 percent.
About 44 percent of GLP-1 users modified their medication use compared to how it was prescribed. Skipping doses was the most common change at 28 percent. Adults aged 18 to 39 reported higher rates of modification at 54 percent compared to 30 percent for adults aged 65 and older. Cost was cited as a reason for modification by 38 percent of users, and availability was cited by 36 percent.
What it means
The findings show that GLP-1 medications are widely used across the United States, especially among adults managing diabetes, heart disease, or higher body mass index categories.
The high reliance on compounded versions presents distinct safety considerations. The Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate compounded drugs for safety, quality, or effectiveness prior to sale. CDC noted that previous analyses of adverse event reports showed higher rates of preparation errors and manufacturing issues in compounded products than non-compounded products.
High costs and prescription shortages force many users to alter how they take these medications. Skipping doses or delaying refills can affect medication performance. Younger adults face these financial barriers more frequently than older adults, leading to higher rates of modified medication use in that age group.
What the announcement does not tell us
The CDC report does not track long-term health outcomes for individuals who modify their GLP-1 doses or switch to compounded versions. It does not state whether dose adjustments were recommended by healthcare providers or made independently by patients.
The report also does not identify specific compounding pharmacies or manufacturers linked to compounded medication use. Additionally, the survey data relied on self-reported answers, which may introduce recall bias or misunderstandings regarding whether a medication was compounded.
How this was written
This analysis was written with AI from the official announcement below, using only facts that announcement states. The quoted wording is CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report’s own. Always check the original before acting on anything here.
This report describes GLP-1 and compounded GLP-1 use among adults during 2025.
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