Starting Semaglutide at High Doses Was Tied to 25% Higher Risk of Early Discontinuation in 48,658 U.S. Adults
University of Texas Medical Branch researchers reported in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism on October 19, 2026 a MarketScan claims study of 48,658 adults with diabetes or obesity who started injectable semaglutide between 2018 and 2021. The 14.5% who began at 1.0 mg a week or more, above the labeled starting dose, had a 25% higher risk of stopping early (hazard ratio 1.25) and lower one-year persistence, independent of age, obesity status, other illnesses, and cost. High-dose starts were more common among endocrinologists, men, younger patients, and in the West and South.