Veru Survey Highlights Muscle Loss Concerns Among GLP-1 Users as Lean Mass-Preserving Drug Advances

A May 2025 Veru survey of 1,000 U.S. adults taking GLP-1 receptor agonists found 36% were moderately to highly concerned about muscle loss or weakness as a medication side effect1.

15% of respondents had actually experienced muscle loss, but in those aged 60+, the rate was nearly one-third1.

More than 80% of survey respondents were under 60, so muscle loss might be underreported as it can take time to become noticeable1.

Many GLP-1 users reported taking dietary steps to mitigate muscle loss:
36% followed a high-protein diet, and over half increased their intake of lean proteins and whole foods1.

Veru is advancing its drug enobosarm—a selective androgen receptor modulator—as a companion to GLP-1s to help prevent muscle wasting in patients being treated for obesity and other conditions12.

Clinical results show that combining enobosarm with GLP-1 drugs (like semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy) leads to 71% lower loss of lean mass compared to GLP-1 alone, and reduces declines in physical ability measures4.

Older adults on GLP-1 therapy are at heightened risk of accelerated frailty, mobility decline, and disability due to muscle loss; preserving lean mass is a major clinical concern4.

Veru is planning further clinical development and FDA discussions, particularly for a Phase III program for enobosarm in combination with GLP-1 RAs4.

Sources:

1. https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/veru-survey-highlights-muscle-loss-concerns-among-glp-1-users-lean-mass-preserving-med

2. https://ir.verupharma.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/189/veru-reports-muscle-data-from-5-clinical-studies-of

4. https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/verus-drug-spares-lean-mass-in-overweight-obese-adults-on-wegovy