Reports involving the class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists — Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound, to include a few — were submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stating patients experienced hair loss, depression and a respiratory complication called aspiration.
Six products manufactured by Novo Nordisk were included in the list of medications being evaluated by the FDA. When asked for comment, the company said it “stands behind the safety and efficacy of all of our GLP-1RA medicines” and is working with the FDA as it conducts its evaluation.
These drugs mimic a hormone known as GLP-1 that stimulates insulin production, slows down stomach emptying and reduces appetite. Most of these medications are approved for treating type 2 diabetes while some like Wegovy are approved for weight loss management.
Eli Lilly, whose products were also named as being under evaluation by the FDA, issued an open letter Thursday warning against taking its GLP-1 agonist drugs for “cosmetic” purposes.
Eli Lilly is the manufacturer for the type 2 diabetes medication Mounjaro and the recently approved weight loss medication Zepbound, both forms of tirzepatide.
“Mounjaro and Zepbound are indicated for the treatment of serious diseases; they are not approved for – and should not be used for – cosmetic weight loss,” the company said.
The company further warned against taking knock-off products, saying these substances have been tested and found to have “high amounts of impurities” and in one instance the knock-off was found to just be sugar alcohol.
