Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Danish Adolescents and Young Adults 2018–2025

Abstract

Objective

Use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has increased rapidly following approval for obesity treatment, but data on their use in younger populations remain limited. We examined trends in GLP-1RA use among 12– to 24-year-olds in Denmark during 2018–2025.

Methods

Using nationwide prescription, hospital, and laboratory registries, we conducted a drug utilization study including all 12– to 24-year-olds who filled a GLP-1RA prescription between January 2018 and December 2025. We described incidence of use, baseline characteristics, prescribing patterns, and treatment persistence.

Results

GLP-1RA use rose more than 50-fold across the study period, reaching 418 new users per 100,000 by 2025, driven by semaglutide for weight management. Uptake was steepest among individuals aged 18–24 years (from 13 to 686 per 100,000) and more modest among adolescents aged 12–17 years (from 1.7 to 72 per 100,000). Most users were female, few had diabetes, and 33% had psychiatric comorbidity, particularly emotional and neurodevelopmental disorders. By 2025, 78% of new treatments were initiated in general practice. Only 38% were covered by a prescription after 1 year.

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate rapid uptake of GLP-1RAs in youth and the need for specialist involvement, long-term safety data, and careful evaluation of mental health in this population.