Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
05:10
Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
895
Prescribing Patterns and Adverse Effects of Semaglutide: A Real-World Comparative Evaluation
Abigail Whorton1, Samira Osman1, Jaspal Johal2
1School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 10, 2026
Summary
Semaglutide effectively lowers HbA1c and weight in real-world use, but adverse drug reactions are underreported. Prescribing is higher in deprived areas, indicating a need for equitable access and better pharmacovigilance.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Semaglutide, a GLP-1RA, treats type 2 diabetes and aids weight management.
- Concerns exist regarding off-label semaglutide use, underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and prescribing disparities.
- Real-world data on semaglutide prescribing patterns, efficacy, and safety are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze real-world semaglutide prescribing patterns, treatment efficacy (HbA1c, weight), and ADRs in a UK locality.
- To compare local prescribing data and ADR rates with national data.
- To investigate socioeconomic factors influencing semaglutide access and utilization.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective service evaluation of 1403 patients across 42 UK GP practices.
- Utilized anonymised patient data, OpenPrescribing data, and MHRA Yellow Card Scheme ADR reports (Jan 2020–Dec 2024).
- Demographic, efficacy (HbA1c, weight), and socioeconomic (SEISA deciles) analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- Semaglutide prescribing peaked in 2022, mirroring national trends.
- Significant reductions observed: mean HbA1c decreased by 10.8 mmol/mol and weight by 4.8%.
- ADR incidence (1.85%) in the study population exceeded national rates (0.20%); prescribing was highest in deprived areas.
Conclusions:
- Semaglutide demonstrates real-world effectiveness in managing HbA1c and weight.
- Underreporting of ADRs associated with semaglutide is a significant concern.
- Higher semaglutide prescribing in socioeconomically deprived areas necessitates focus on equitable access and pharmacovigilance.
Keywords:
GLP-1 receptor agonistsOzempicadverse drug reactionshealth inequalitypharmacovigilanceprescribing patternssemaglutidetype 2 diabetesMore Related Videos
06:34Validation of Therapeutic Agent Conjugation to Polyvinyl Alcohol-Coated Medical Devices
Published on: November 29, 2024
597
03:05Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Published on: November 21, 2025
470
Related Concept Videos
01:19Pharmacovigilance
1.6K
Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
1.6K
01:24Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
832
Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
832
01:16Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
670
Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
670
01:22Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Stability-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
172
Generic intravenous (IV) drugs are considered bioequivalent to their branded counterparts due to their 100% bioavailability upon administration. However, variations in stability among different drug products can significantly influence their therapeutic performance, even if they are pharmaceutically equivalent.Cefuroxime, a prophylactic antimicrobial, is often used as a single-dose IV injection for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. A 3 g dose typically provides...
172
01:29Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
193
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
193
01:23Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
574
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a...
574