Danish survey reveals most semaglutide weight loss users expect temporary treatment despite need for long-term use | Research

The takeaway

Among 559 Danish Wegovy users, 78% were female, 46% expected limited treatment duration, only 11% expected lifelong use, with median 5.3% weight loss at 5 months and 59% reporting side effects (35% nausea, 29% constipation).

Only 11% expect lifelong treatment
Despite weight regain evidence, nearly half of Danish Wegovy users expect to stop treatment—revealing a critical education gap about chronic obesity management

What the researchers found

559 respondents (55% response rate). Female 78%. BMI 36 median. 70% self-initiated. 46% expected limited duration. 11% expected lifelong. 42% no duration discussion. Weight loss: 5.3% at ~5 months. Side effects: 59% (nausea 35%, constipation 29%).

Why it matters

The expectation gap is alarming: nearly half of users expect to stop treatment despite evidence that weight returns after discontinuation. Better patient education about long-term management is urgently needed.

How the study worked

Questionnaire-based survey across 29 Danish community pharmacies (Sep-Dec 2023). 10-day consecutive recruitment. 1,013 invited, 559 (55%) participated. Electronic questionnaire.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-reported data. Danish population may not represent other countries. 55% response rate introduces selection bias. Cross-sectional snapshot at one time point.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional survey with 55% response rate. Provides real-world user insights but subject to selection and reporting biases.

When this study was published

Published in 2025; data from late 2023.

The bigger picture

This survey exposes a public health challenge: the disconnect between how patients view GLP-1 weight loss drugs (temporary fix) and the medical reality (chronic disease requiring ongoing management). Addressing this gap is essential for long-term success.

Questions still open

How can patient education about treatment duration be improved?
What happens to these users when they stop—how many regain weight?
Should prescribers require treatment duration discussions before initiating?

Common questions

How long should you take semaglutide for weight loss?

Obesity is a chronic disease, and evidence shows weight returns after stopping semaglutide. Yet this survey found only 11% of users expected lifelong treatment, while 46% planned to stop. Patients should discuss realistic treatment timelines with their doctor, understanding that long-term use may be necessary to maintain weight loss.

What are the most common side effects of Wegovy?

In this survey of 559 users, 59% reported side effects: nausea (35%), constipation (29%), and other GI symptoms were most common. While unpleasant, most side effects are non-serious and may improve over time. Only a minority discontinued treatment due to side effects.

Read the original research

Survey among adult users of semaglutide for weight loss in Denmark: User characteristics, treatment expectations and experienced effects.

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 27(4), 2214-2222

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Sørensen, Malene Svoldgaard; Pottegård, Anton; Andersen, Nanna Elman; Thomsen, Reimar W; Lundby, Carina. (2025). Survey among adult users of semaglutide for weight loss in Denmark: User characteristics, treatment expectations and experienced effects.. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 27(4), 2214-2222. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.16222