By the numbers
GLP-1 by the numbers
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Amble
About 1 in 8 U.S. adults have taken a GLP-1 medication, according to a KFF Health Tracking Poll.
This page, published by Amble, collects published GLP-1 statistics with their sources. Study results describe specific brand-name medications in research settings, not Amble's compounded GLP-1 injections, which are not FDA approved. Individual results vary.
How many people use GLP-1 medications?
Use is widespread. A KFF Health Tracking Poll found roughly 1 in 8 U.S. adults have taken a GLP-1 medication, and a nationally representative survey reported 12.4% of respondents were taking one for weight loss. That growth is why cost and access questions now matter to so many people.
Published GLP-1 statistics and their sources
About 1 in 8
U.S. adults have taken a GLP-1 medication.
Source: KFF Health Tracking Poll
12.4%
of respondents to a nationally representative survey were taking this class of medication for weight loss.
Source: Reported in "GLP-1 pills for weight loss are here"
39.9% to 37.0%
Gallup found the share of Americans with obesity fell from 39.9% in 2022 to 37.0% in 2025, a decrease representing 7.6 million people.
Source: Reported in "GLP-1 pills for weight loss are here"
Up to 22.5%
average body weight reduction reported for tirzepatide in clinical trials and meta-analyses; semaglutide averages of up to 15 to 21% with certain formulations and doses.
Source: Drugs.com
53 studies, 21,349 patients
in a 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of studies lasting 12 to 78 weeks, which found tirzepatide worked best for weight loss compared with placebo.
Source: Drugs.com
10.88% and 6.78%
average weight loss of initial body weight for women and men respectively taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, a statistically significant difference.
Source: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2026
$99 to $348
monthly price range across 12 US compounded GLP-1 telehealth providers compared on price, pharmacy transparency, and LegitScript status.
Source: Cora Health, 2026
Average results reported in published studies
| Medication or group | Reported average | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tirzepatide | Up to 22.5% of body weight | Clinical trials and meta-analyses (Drugs.com) |
| Semaglutide | Up to 15 to 21% | Certain formulations and doses (Drugs.com) |
| Injectable Wegovy | 15% to 16% | As reported in "GLP-1 pills for weight loss are here" |
| Semaglutide pill | 13% over 64 weeks | With reduced-calorie diet and increased activity; Novo Nordisk trial data |
| Women on GLP-1 RAs | 10.88% | Johns Hopkins, 2026 |
| Men on GLP-1 RAs | 6.78% | Johns Hopkins, 2026 |
Reading the numbers
What these statistics do and do not say
Trial averages come from controlled studies of specific FDA-approved medications, often alongside diet and activity changes, measured over many months. They do not predict any one person's outcome, and they do not describe compounded medications. Amble's own guidance is that weight loss is gradual and varies from person to person.
Common questions
What is the best GLP-1 medication to lose weight?
The best medication is the one a licensed provider decides fits your health history. Research summarized by Drugs.com reports tirzepatide produced the largest average reductions in trials, with semaglutide close behind. Those figures come from brand-name drug studies; compounded medications like Amble's are not FDA approved and were not tested in those trials.
How long does it take to lose 20 pounds on GLP-1?
There is no fixed timeline. Amble says weight loss is gradual and varies from person to person. Published trial averages are measured over many months; for example, a widely reported trial of a semaglutide pill measured results over 64 weeks. Your provider can talk through realistic expectations for your situation.
What is a GLP-1 medication?
GLP-1 medications are a class of prescription drugs that act like glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone the body makes. Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, is a well known example, and tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound, is closely related. Amble offers compounded GLP-1 injections, prescribed only if a licensed provider decides you medically qualify.
What does compounded GLP-1 mean?
A compounded medication is prepared by a licensed pharmacy for an individual prescription instead of being mass produced as a brand-name product. Amble states that compounded products are not approved or evaluated for safety, efficacy, or quality by the FDA. They may still be legally prescribed when a licensed provider decides they are appropriate for you.
What is the downside of taking GLP-1?
The main downsides are side effects, ongoing cost, and the need for weekly injections and monitoring. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Compounded versions are not FDA approved or evaluated for safety, efficacy, or quality. A licensed provider should weigh these against your goals before prescribing.
Keep reading
Talk to a licensed provider
Start the free online assessment to find out whether GLP-1 care is right for you.