Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Danish Adolescents and Young Adults 2018-2025
Abstract
Objective: Use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has increased rapidly following approval for obesity treatment, but data on their use in younger populations remain limited. We examined trends in GLP-1RA use among 12- to 24-year-olds in Denmark during 2018-2025.
Methods: Using nationwide prescription, hospital, and laboratory registries, we conducted a drug utilization study including all 12- to 24-year-olds who filled a GLP-1RA prescription between January 2018 and December 2025. We described incidence of use, baseline characteristics, prescribing patterns, and treatment persistence.
Results: GLP-1RA use rose more than 50-fold across the study period, reaching 418 new users per 100,000 by 2025, driven by semaglutide for weight management. Uptake was steepest among individuals aged 18-24 years (from 13 to 686 per 100,000) and more modest among adolescents aged 12-17 years (from 1.7 to 72 per 100,000). Most users were female, few had diabetes, and 33% had psychiatric comorbidity, particularly emotional and neurodevelopmental disorders. By 2025, 78% of new treatments were initiated in general practice. Only 38% were covered by a prescription after 1 year.
Conclusions: Findings demonstrate rapid uptake of GLP-1RAs in youth and the need for specialist involvement, long-term safety data, and careful evaluation of mental health in this population.
Authors: Helene Kildegaard, Jacob Harbo Andersen, Rebecca Kofod Vinding, Julie Tonsgaard Kloppenborg, Anton Pottegård
Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
DOI: 10.1002/oby.70234