Patient Adherence to Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Obesity Management: A Narrative Review of Real-World Evidence

Authors

Zainab M. Al-Shammaa, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, AL-Majmoaa Street, Mosul, Ninevah 41002, Iraq
Heba M. Attash, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, AL-Majmoaa Street, Mosul, Ninevah 41002, IraqFollow
Rahma S. Almallah, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, AL-Majmoaa Street, Mosul, Ninevah 41002, Iraq
Abdulla Thamer, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, AL-Majmoaa Street, Mosul, Ninevah 41002, Iraq
Fahad Saleem, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Obesity has become a widespread public health problem in many regions of the world. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have a dual effect on glycemic control and weight loss. Liraglutide, semaglutide, and dulaglutide were first used in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and their use is now growing among people without diabetes. Obesity management requires long-term or even lifelong interventions, so adherence to prescribed therapy is critical for achieving weight loss and maintaining it over time. Patient adherence to GLP-1RAs varies depending on the medication used, its dosing frequency, and whether findings come from clinical trials or real-world settings. According to the previous studies, semaglutide (Ozempic® and Wegovy®) tends to show better adherence than others. In contrast, liraglutide (Saxenda®) consistently shows lower adherence, often below 20% after one year in real-world data. Dulaglutide (Trulicity®) falls somewhere in the middle, with reported adherence of about 44% over 12 months. This review has highlighted several key insights that are essential for clinicians aiming to support long-term use of GLP-1RAs in obesity care. In conclusion, while GLP-1RAs offer significant benefits in obesity management, achieving sustained weight loss requires more than just initiating therapy; it demands an ongoing, patient-centered approach that supports patients throughout their journey.

Recommended Citation

Al-Shammaa, Zainab M.; Attash, Heba M.; Almallah, Rahma S.; Thamer, Abdulla; and Saleem, Fahad (2026) "Patient Adherence to Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Obesity Management: A Narrative Review of Real-World Evidence," Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences: Vol. 5 : Iss. 1 , Article 3.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.55810/2789-9136.1091

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