People with eating disorders are taking GLP-1s, and doctors are alarmed

Key Points:

• GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, widely promoted for weight loss, are raising concerns among doctors and eating disorder specialists due to their appetite-suppressing effects that may trigger or worsen eating disorders.
• Patients, including teens and those with a history of eating disorders, are accessing these medications easily through online platforms, sometimes by falsifying information, leading to relapses or new onset of disordered eating behaviors.
• Medical experts warn that GLP-1 drugs can undermine treatment for eating disorders by disrupting natural hunger cues, yet current FDA labels do not list eating disorders as a side effect, and routine screening for eating disorders before prescribing these drugs is not widely practiced.
• Personal stories reveal severe health consequences, such as extreme food restriction and organ failure, linked to misuse of GLP-1 medications, highlighting the need for greater awareness and caution in prescribing and using these drugs.
• Manufacturers and regulatory agencies acknowledge the importance of evaluating risks but emphasize that treatment decisions should be individualized; meanwhile, advocates stress that these drugs do not address underlying body image issues and may contribute to addiction-like behaviors.