Two-thirds of GLP-1 patients turn to social media for support after feeling left to their own devices between clinical appointments
New research from Phlo, a leading UK online pharmacy, has exposed a significant gap in day-to-day support for GLP-1 users in between clinical appointments, with many struggling to track their medication, missing doses and relying on social media for reassurance.
30th March 2026: New research commissioned by Phlo, a leading UK online pharmacy, reveals GLP-1 patients are increasingly seeking support from social media to navigate their weight loss journey in between clinical appointments. To bridge this gap, Phlo has launched BrightTrack, a GLP-1 companion app to help users manage their medication doses and monitor symptoms and results for greater confidence in between clinical appointments.
The survey found that almost three-quarters (73%) of people taking GLP-1 medication in the UK find it difficult to manage their treatment and fully understand their progress in between appointments.
During that time, over 6 in 10 (65%) turned to social media for reassurance and guidance. Worryingly, nine in ten (90%) users say they trust all GLP-1 information they find on social media, with almost a third (31%) of people seeking answers on online forums (31%) and YouTube (29%), and a fifth (20%) on TikTok.
This is despite clinicians' warning that social media can be a poor substitute for medical advice on GLP-1s, with studies finding that information online can be incomplete or misleading, particularly around side effects and safe use.
Despite the provision of regular clinical appointments, many GLP-1 patients seek structured monitoring and personalised guidance in between their appointments. Without this, GLP-1 users rely on informal and fragmented systems to manage their weight loss journey. Over a third rely on calendar reminders (37%) or phone alarms (36%), and a quarter (24%) use notepads or diaries to track their doses.
But these informal tracking methods have proven unreliable for many users, with more than half (57%) saying they've missed or delayed a dose. Nearly a quarter (15%) even admit to only taking a dose when they feel that the effects are wearing off, rather than following the clinically recommended weekly schedule.
Four in ten (40%) admit they have switched off phone alarms and forgotten, while the same proportion (40%) say they have misplaced or failed to update their notes. Many also rely on partners, friends or family for reminders (41%) - despite clinical guidance recommending medication is usually taken at the same time each week.
BrightTrack launches to bring structure to the GLP-1 journey
To help address this gap between clinical appointments, Phlo has launched BrightTrack, a free, digital companion to support patients through their weight loss journey. It's designed to help people using GLP-1 medications track their doses while also monitoring symptoms, better understanding their progress over time, and providing clinicians' advice when it's needed most. Since GLP-1 dosing frequently changes as patients titrate up or down, balancing treatment progress and tolerability, tracking is crucial for creating an accurate record for clinical review.
Developed with input from GLP-1 clinicians and obesity-specialist dietitians, the app brings key health data into one place so users can spot patterns, build consistent routines and feel more confident managing their treatment, putting practical support inside their pocket.
While GLP-1 medications can support weight loss, long-term success depends on understanding behaviours and building sustainable habits at the same time as using medication.
Dr Sara Kayat, NHS GP and media doctor, and private health consultant said:
"It's common for people on their GLP-1 journey to feel unsupported between appointments. Naturally, questions can come up day to day, but not all providers offer an easy way to address them in the moment. Many people end up managing symptoms and progress on their own, turning to social media for reassurance or to sense-check symptoms or dosing. From a medical perspective, consistency plays an important role.
"Missed or delayed doses can inhibit the medication's effectiveness, making it harder for people to build routines, monitor changes in appetite or symptoms and feel confident in their progress. BrightTrack gives all GLP-1 users a practical way to record their treatment and symptoms, helping them stay consistent, build confidence in their routine, and have more informed, meaningful conversations at their follow-up appointments."
Built around its 'Calm Momentum' philosophy, BrightTrack replaces pressure and perfection with consistency and confidence, helping users stay on track, one steady check-in at a time.
Alistair Murray, Pharmacist and Chief Operating Officer at Phlo, said:
"Patient support is at the heart of Phlo's mission, and our team of clinicians understands that GLP-1s are more than a prescription – they're a key that unlocks a wide range of lifestyle changes for our patients.
"For many users, that change is being managed with a patchwork of reminders, notes and inaccurate advice on social media. That's why we're proud to launch BrightTrack, a mobile companion app available to all GLP-1 users, no matter where they get their medication. Our ambition with this app is to raise the standard of day-to-day support as more people use GLP-1s as a part of their weight loss journey. With BrightTrack, we hope to give everyone the tools they need to stay consistent, understand their own progress, and feel supported on their journey."
