A surge in older Americans is quitting weight loss medications due to various side effects and treatment disruptions. Mary Bucklew, a 75-year-old retiree from Delaware, was prescribed the medication Ozempic by her nurse practitioner, which drastically changed her eating habits. Over six months, she lost 25 pounds and felt more energetic, but then her Medicare plan stopped covering it, leaving her to stop taking it.
A growing trend is seen among older adults who take GLP-1s and related medications for diabetes, obesity, and other serious health issues, only to discontinue them within months. This often leads to weight regain and loss of associated health benefits. The FDA has approved several GLP-1s for additional uses beyond treating diabetes and obesity.
The high prevalence of obesity among older adults is a major concern, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that nearly 40% of people aged 65 and above are obese. In addition, Type 2 diabetes rates rise significantly with age. Studies have shown that more than half of Americans 65 and up with diabetes discontinue semaglutide within a year.
Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and muscle loss can be significant deterrents for patients. Furthermore, the financial burden of these medications is often too high for many people. To address this issue, the Biden administration has capped out-of-pocket payments for prescription medications at $2,100 in 2026.
However, a crucial policy change may not occur until 2027. Medicare would need to amend its original regulations to allow coverage for weight loss drugs. While some doctors argue that obesity is a disease and should be treated as such, the potential expansion of these medications' indications and extent of coverage raises concerns about increased premiums.
A growing trend is seen among older adults who take GLP-1s and related medications for diabetes, obesity, and other serious health issues, only to discontinue them within months. This often leads to weight regain and loss of associated health benefits. The FDA has approved several GLP-1s for additional uses beyond treating diabetes and obesity.
The high prevalence of obesity among older adults is a major concern, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that nearly 40% of people aged 65 and above are obese. In addition, Type 2 diabetes rates rise significantly with age. Studies have shown that more than half of Americans 65 and up with diabetes discontinue semaglutide within a year.
Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and muscle loss can be significant deterrents for patients. Furthermore, the financial burden of these medications is often too high for many people. To address this issue, the Biden administration has capped out-of-pocket payments for prescription medications at $2,100 in 2026.
However, a crucial policy change may not occur until 2027. Medicare would need to amend its original regulations to allow coverage for weight loss drugs. While some doctors argue that obesity is a disease and should be treated as such, the potential expansion of these medications' indications and extent of coverage raises concerns about increased premiums.
The irony is not lost on me - the government's all-out effort to control our weight is now making us feel like we're losing control over our own health 
. I mean, come on, folks! We can't even get a decent cup of coffee around here without breaking out in hives... er, I mean, experiencing side effects from weight loss meds 
.
, but if u gotta stop takin it 'cause Medicare ain't coverin it, that's a major bummer 
. And the side effects? Yeah, those can be a real nuisance 
. But what's really got me thinkin is how many ppl are doin' this just 'cause they're scared of the bill 
. Like, we gotta talk about the cost of healthcare here, fam 
. We can't just keep hopin that insurance companies will foot the bill 4eva 
. It's time 4 some real solutions, like lower premiums or more affordable options 
.
... I feel bad for Mary Bucklew, she was doing so well on Ozempic but then her Medicare plan stopped covering it 
. It's crazy how much of a difference that made to her health and life. I mean, we've been learning about the effects of GLP-1s in class and how they can be super effective for weight loss and diabetes management 
.
. My friend's grandma is actually on Semaglutide right now and she's saying it's really helped her lose weight but she's also experiencing some nasty stomach issues 
. 
. It makes me wonder if we're focusing on treating the symptoms rather than the root cause of the problem... maybe we should be looking at ways to address food insecurity and access to healthy living spaces more seriously 
.
. And it's not just the physical side effects like nausea and vomiting that are a problem - the financial burden is huge too 
. It's crazy that Type 2 diabetes rates rise with age and obesity is such a major concern 
. It's like, they're losing weight and feeling better, but then the meds just stop working or get too expensive 
. We need to make sure these meds are covered by Medicare so more people can benefit from them 
, but let's not forget about the side effects and costs 
.
. And the fact that the FDA approved more uses for these medications but didn't consider how people would handle them not being covered anymore? 
I feel like we're just throwing them under the bus.
. I'm all for addressing obesity but let's not forget that these medications are not a silver bullet 
. We need the government to step up and make sure that everyone has access to affordable healthcare, regardless of age or ability to pay 
. Anything less is just not good enough 
. 25 pounds lost, but then you gotta stop taking it? That's like winning the lottery and then having to give all your winnings back 
.
I'm so worried about Mary's situation and others like her who are struggling with weight loss meds because of side effects and financial constraints 
. It's crazy that people have to choose between their health and the cost of medications 
. We gotta do better for our seniors 
.
.
. I mean, nearly 40% of people aged 65 and above are obese? That's crazy! 
.
. but at the same time, we need to be cautious about overprescription and side effects. like, how much is too much? 
so more people can get access to these life-saving meds. We should be supporting our seniors, not making them choose between their health and their wallet 
anyway idk how ppl afford these meds sometimes