Pattern of semaglutide prescription in a real-world Canadian patient cohort.

Abstract

Despite the growing interest in the broad applications of semaglutide, real-world data on its use in weight-loss is limited. This study aims to explore the pattern of semaglutide prescriptions in a Canadian family medicine practice. This retrospective study included patients ≥ 18 years who were enrolled in Sunnybrook Academic Family practice in Toronto, Canada and prescribed semaglutide between January 2018 and April 2024. Baseline demographics, weight measurements up to 16 months, and prescription details were collected. Descriptive statistics was used to illustrate the patterns of semaglutide prescription. Of 9930 enrolled patients, 368 (3.71 %) were prescribed semaglutide and 335 used it. Mean age was 57.7 ± 14.1 years and 63.3 % were female. Mean BMI was 36.6 ± 7.84 kg/m². Semaglutide was discontinued due to side effects in 11 (3.3 %) within one month and 27 (8.1 %) at any time. There was an increasing trend in semaglutide prescriptions from 2018 to 2023. There were increasing semaglutide prescriptions for weight-loss, and prescriptions by family physicians compared to specialists. Follow up measurements showed a mean weight-loss of 7.5 % in 212 patients. In an Ontario academic family practice, semaglutide is being more frequently prescribed in the primary care setting, particularly for weight loss.