3 Trends Shaping the GLP-1 Landscape

GLP-1 therapies continue to reshape chronic disease management, driving regulatory shifts, rapid market expansion and evolving clinical evidence.

Here are three major trends to watch:

Regulatory momentum accelerates
In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration directed manufacturers to remove suicidal ideation warnings from Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound after reviewing extensive clinical and real-world data showing no increased psychiatric risk. At the same time, the FDA and HHS signaled tighter oversight of compounded GLP-1 products following legal disputes involving Novo Nordisk and telehealth platforms marketing alternatives.
Oral GLP-1s fuel rapid growth — and legal tension
Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy is being called one of the fastest drug launches in U.S. history, with prescription volume surging within weeks of release. However, compounded GLP-1s accounted for nearly 30% of the U.S. market in 2025, prompting lawsuits and increased federal scrutiny. A key inflection point may come with the FDA’s expected decision on orforglipron from Eli Lilly.
Clinical evidence and adoption patterns evolve
A January study in Annals of Internal Medicine found bariatric surgery produced greater A1C and weight reduction than GLP-1 therapy among patients with Type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, GLP-1 prescribing jumped more than 130% from 2022 to 2023, while bariatric surgery volumes declined. Adoption varies by specialty, with endocrinologists leading prescribing rates. Emerging safety signals are also under review, including a large cohort study published Feb. 9 that linked GLP-1 use to higher odds of certain types of nonscarring hair loss.