vidence Suggests Weight-Loss Drugs Could Appeal More to Men

Recent findings suggest that weight-loss drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound may help men shed pounds, reduce their risk of heart disease, treat sleep apnea, and address other health issues.

According to five doctors who regularly prescribe these drugs, this new evidence could potentially convince more men to consider these medications.

Gender Disparities in Weight-Loss Medication Use:

If they address their weight, men generally prefer diet and exercise over medications for weight loss. In contrast, women are more proactive in seeking medical assistance for weight management.

Dr. Robert Kushner, an obesity medicine researcher at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, noted that women dominate weight management programs, with about two-thirds of patients being female, a trend common across the country.

Prescription Data and Obesity Rates:

According to IQVIA data, between January and March, women accounted for at least 78% of Wegovy prescriptions and 76% or more for Zepbound.

Despite similar obesity rates for men and women (43% and 42%, respectively), the uptake of these drugs is heavily skewed towards women.

A Lilly spokesperson emphasized that obesity is a gender-neutral chronic disease, though Novo Nordisk declined to comment on the gender disparity.

Health Benefits and New Indications:

U.S. regulators approved Wegovy in March for lowering heart risks. Lilly’s Zepbound has improved sleep apnea symptoms in trials and is expected to be approved for this indication by early next year.

These drugs, which are GLP-1 agonists also used to treat type 2 diabetes, are being considered for other health issues, including kidney infection and alcohol abuse. These additional benefits could shift the gender balance in their usage.

Growing Male Interest:

Dr. Kushner observed increasing interest from male patients in these medications due to their broader health benefits.

Sleep and obesity medicine physician Dr. Audrey Wells noted that multiple health benefits make these drugs more appealing as legitimate health treatments than cosmetic solutions.

Influence of Women on Male Usage:

Some doctors believe that men’s interest in these drugs may be influenced by women in their lives who are already using them. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford from Massachusetts General Hospital suggested that women might initiate the idea of using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, with men following their lead.

Despite these shifts, Barclays pharmaceutical analyst Emily Field anticipates the market for these weight-loss drugs, projected to reach $150 billion in the next decade, will primarily involve women. She highlighted that women are generally more likely to seek treatment for weight issues.