The short answer
In a US insurance-record study, about two-thirds of people starting tirzepatide met the researchers’ definition of continued treatment over six months.
Who was studied?
Researchers examined 22,512 commercially insured adults taking tirzepatide for overweight or obesity, without type 2 diabetes. This was an observational study, not a randomized trial.
Percent of participants; measures are not complements
Original visual based on the study.
| Group or measure | Result |
|---|---|
| No refill gap over 45 days | 68% |
| Coverage for at least 80% of days | 55% |
What did the records show?
68% continued without a refill gap longer than 45 days after their supply ran out. 55% had prescriptions covering at least 80% of follow-up days. Those are different measures; neither proves each injection was taken.
Among just 808 continuing users with suitable before-and-after weight records, average weight fell 10.5%. That result should not be applied to all 22,512 starters.
Why the distinction matters
People benefiting from treatment may be more likely to continue. Missing weights, supply shortages and insurance selection also limit what these records show. The study cannot tell every individual’s reason for a gap or establish outcomes for uninsured people.
Sources
Hunter Gibble and colleagues, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2026. Funded by Eli Lilly.