Anti-obesity medications work equally well in older adults (65+) with potentially fewer side effects | Research

The takeaway

In 144 veterans, anti-obesity medications including semaglutide and liraglutide produced similar weight loss in adults <65 and ≥65 years, with older adults reporting fewer adverse events and lower discontinuation rates.

Equal efficacy, fewer side effects in 65+
Anti-obesity medications produced similar weight loss in older adults with fewer adverse events and lower discontinuation rates than younger adults

What the researchers found

No significant weight loss difference at 6 months (p=0.08) or 12 months (p=0.26) between age groups. Similar HbA1c (p=0.73), LDL (p=0.95), and BP changes. Fewer AEs in older adults (39% vs 61%). Lower AE-related discontinuation in older adults (0% vs 6%).

Why it matters

Clinicians often hesitate to prescribe weight loss medications to older adults due to safety concerns. This study provides reassurance that they are effective and possibly better tolerated in this population.

How the study worked

Retrospective cohort at VA Sioux Falls (Jan 2021-June 2023). 144 veterans (116 adults <65, 28 older adults ≥65) prescribed anti-obesity medications.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample, especially older adult group (n=28). Single VA site. Retrospective. Predominantly male veteran population. Multiple AOMs grouped together.

How to read the evidence

Small retrospective cohort. Hypothesis-generating for age-based AOM prescribing.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

As the population ages and obesity-related diseases accumulate, evidence supporting safe and effective weight loss medication use in older adults addresses an important clinical gap.

Questions still open

Why do older adults report fewer side effects from AOMs?
Should different AOM dosing be considered for older adults?
Do the metabolic benefits of AOMs translate to reduced events in older populations?

Common questions

Can older adults take weight loss medications safely?

This study suggests yes. Veterans aged 65 and older who took anti-obesity medications had similar weight loss to younger patients and actually reported fewer side effects. This challenges the common clinical hesitation about prescribing these drugs to older people.

Are GLP-1 drugs effective for weight loss in the elderly?

Based on this study, GLP-1 and other anti-obesity drugs produced equivalent weight loss in older and younger adults. The older group also had lower medication discontinuation rates, suggesting better overall tolerance despite common concerns about side effects in elderly patients.

Read the original research

Efficacy of Anti-Obesity Medications in Adult and Older Adult Veteran Populations.

Federal practitioner : for the health care professionals of the VA, DoD, and PHS, 42(2), 90-94

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Smit, Haley; Hayen, Krista; Schartz, Kathryn; Metzger, Justin; Perry, Meghan. (2025). Efficacy of Anti-Obesity Medications in Adult and Older Adult Veteran Populations.. Federal practitioner : for the health care professionals of the VA, DoD, and PHS, 42(2), 90-94. https://doi.org/10.12788/fp.0553