Prescribing Patterns and Adverse Effects of Semaglutide - A Real-World Comparative Evaluation

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Aria

Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes and weight management, is evaluated for real-world prescribing patterns, treatment efficacy, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in a socioeconomically deprived United Kingdom locality. A retrospective service evaluation analyzed anonymised data from 1403 patients across 42 GP practices, compared with national prescribing from OpenPrescribing and ADRs from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme (01/2020–12/2024). Semaglutide prescribing peaked in 2022, fell thereafter, and was linked to deprivation and regional ethnicity; HbA1c and weight improved, while ADR reporting remained underrepresented relative to national rates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background and Aims

Methods

Findings and Conclusions

1. Introduction

Semaglutide in type 2 diabetes and weight management

Safety concerns and evidence gaps

Rationale for local, equitable prescribing data

Study aim and objectives

Article Prescribing Patterns and Adverse Effects of Semaglutide: A Real-World Comparative Evaluation Abigail Whorton 1, Samira Osman 1, *, Jaspal Johal 2, Sarah Baig 1, Alan M. Jones 1 and Zahraa Jalal 1 Academic Editor: Herbert Franz Jelinek Received: 7 October 2025 Revised: 2 December 2025 Accepted: 10 December 2025 Published: 23 December 2025 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. 1 School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; [abbie.whorton1@gmail.com](abbie.whorton1@gmail.com) (A.W.); [s.s.baig@bham.ac.uk](s.s.baig@bham.ac.uk) (S.B.); [a.m.jones.2@bham.ac.uk](a.m.jones.2@bham.ac.uk) (A.M.J.); [z.jalal@bham.ac.uk](z.jalal@bham.ac.uk) (Z.J.) 2 The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Pensnett Road, Dudley DY1 2HQ, UK;[jaspal.johal@nhs.net](jaspal.johal@nhs.net) * Correspondence: [s.osman.3@bham.ac.uk](s.osman.3@bham.ac.uk) Abstract Background: Semaglutide is a Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and weight management. While its clinical benefits are well established, concerns have emerged over off-label use, underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and prescribing disparities. Aims: To examine real-world prescribing pattern treatment efficacy and ADRs associated with semaglutide in a socioeconomically deprived United Kingdom (UK) locality, and to compare these with national data. Methods: A retrospective service evaluation was conducted using anonymised data from 1403 patients across 42 GP practices under a data share agreement across a place-based group of practices in the West Midlands. National prescribing data were obtained from OpenPrescribing, and ADR data from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Yellow Card Scheme (01/2020–12/2024) . Analyses included demographic trends, treatment efficacy (HbA1c and weight), and socioeconomic comparisons using the Socioeconomic Index for Small Areas (SEISA) deciles. Findings: Semaglutide prescribing in the GP surgeries studied peaked in 2022 and declined thereafter, mirroring national trends. Prescribing of semaglutide mirrored the ethnic make-up of the region studied with a notable exception of White British. Mean HbA1c fell by 10.8 mmol/mol and weight by 4.8% . ADR incidence in the population studied (1.85%) exceeded national reporting rates (0.20%) . Prescribing was highest in practices serving the most deprived communities. Conclusions: Semaglutide is effective in reducing HbA1c and weight in real-world settings. However, ADRs remain underreported. Socioeconomic deprivation was strongly associated with higher prescribing rates. Greater attention to equitable access and pharmacovigilance is warranted. Keywords: semaglutide; Ozempic; GLP-1 receptor agonists; prescribing patterns; adverse drug reactions; type 2 diabetes; health inequality; pharmacovigilance 1. Introduction Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are established treatments for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), improving glycaemic control through multiple mechanisms, including enhanced insulin secretion, delayed gastric emptying, and appetite suppression [1,2] . Since the approval of exenatide in 2005, several GLP-1RAs—including liraglutide, dulaglutide, and semaglutide—have been licenced in the UK, with semaglutide gaining approval in 2017 [3,4] . Semaglutide is now widely used for both T2DM and weight management, marketed under Ozempic and Wegovy, respectively [5,6] . Its clinical benefits have been demonstrated in the SUSTAIN and STEP trials, with significant reductions in HbA1c and body weight [7,8] . These effects have also led to increasing off-label use, including prescribing for weight loss in non-diabetic populations [9] . However, growing public demand, un

FAQs

What was the study aim regarding semaglutide in the UK?

To examine real-world prescribing patterns, treatment efficacy, and adverse drug reactions associated with semaglutide in a socioeconomically deprived UK locality, and compare results with national data.

How were treatment efficacy and ADRs measured?

Treatment efficacy used HbA1c and weight outcomes from anonymised patient data. ADRs came from the UK MHRA Yellow Card Scheme for 01/2020–12/2024, alongside national prescribing from OpenPrescribing.

What did the study find about prescribing trends?

Prescribing in the studied GP practices peaked in 2022 and declined afterwards, mirroring national trends, with highest prescribing in practices serving the most deprived communities.

What were the key conclusions about benefits and ADR reporting?

Semaglutide showed effectiveness in reducing HbA1c and weight in real-world settings, but ADRs remained underreported, indicating the need for greater attention to equitable access and pharmacovigilance.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Aria