Most respondents to an AusDoc survey prescribe weight-loss medications at least once a month, with legacy products enjoying strong brand recall alongside the newer entrants to the market.

Of the 391 participants in the survey, 41% said they had prescribed in the past week and a further 22% said they had done so in the past month. Just over 8% had last prescribed more than three months previously and 6% had prescribed more than a year previously.

When asked to list any medications that they believe can be used for weight loss, doctors mentioned semaglutide brands most often – Ozempic 179 times and Wegovy 30. Duromine (phentermine) received 145 mentions, Saxenda (liraglutide) 141, Contrave (naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl) 109 and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) 58 times.

Most respondents (65%) were GPs and GP registrars, followed by endocrinologists, cardiologists and other specialists.

For doctors who don’t prescribe weight-loss medication, 33% are concerned about side effects or safety, 33% cite a lack of knowledge, 30% are concerned about patient expense, 28% are concerned about long-term efficacy and 21% are concerned about rebound weight gain.

Close to 300 doctors gave free-text responses when asked to list factors they consider when choosing a weight-loss treatment for their patients. Here are 10 examples:

  • Cost, availability, side-effects, co-morbidities;
  • Mental health, what they have tried before, patient preference, side-effects;
  • Needle phobias, mental health, comfort eating, addiction potential;
  • Age, cardiovascular risk, prediabetes, joint pain in younger age due to obesity, physical and mental health;
  • Degree of weight problem, financial situation, availability of treatment option, patient’s willingness;
  • Willingness to learn and follow a healthy diet;
  • Psychological health,  risk of pancreatic complications;
  • Cravings, smoking , what have they tried in the past;
  • Family history, genetic predisposition, diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, mental disease , readiness to change, age; and
  • Patient preference for oral or injectable, TGA recommendations, medication shortages, cost, weight-loss journey stage.

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References

Source: AusDoc survey. Understanding doctor insights and behaviours with the use of weight loss medications (May 2024) n = 391