TikTok Trend to โฃHealth Trap:โข Doctors Warn of Risks in Off-label Diabetes Drug Use forโค Weight โLoss
October 28, 2025, โ08:11:12 AM โEST โ – A viral TikTok trendโค promoting theโค use of diabetes medications Ozempic โand Mounjaro for rapid weight loss is prompting urgent warningsโ from medical professionals, who cite potentially serious health consequences stemming from off-label โprescriptions and self-medication. โคThe surgeโ in demand,fueled by social mediaโข endorsements,is creating shortages forโฃ patients wihtโฃ diabetes and raising concerns about the long-term effects of these drugs whenโ used by individuals without a medical need.
Originally designed to manage type โ2 diabetesโ by regulating blood sugar, โsemaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have gained notoriety forโ their appetite-suppressing side effects, โฃleading to significantโ weight loss in some users. While the FDA has approved semaglutideโ under the brand name Wegovy specifically for weightโ management in individualsโ with โขobesityโ or weight-related medical conditions, itsโค use โฃfor cosmetic weight loss-particularly without medical supervision-is driving a perilous trend. Doctors report a growing numberโข of patientsโฃ experiencing severe nausea, โขvomiting, diarrhea, and,โ in rare cases, pancreatitis andโ intestinal blockages. โ
The American Society โขof Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) estimates โthatโค demand โฃfor these medications has increased by over โ300% in recent months, largely attributed to social โmedia influence. “We’re seeing a significant diversion of theseโ medications, โขwith people obtaining them through questionable sources โขor pressuring doctors to prescribe them off-label,” โstated Dr.Amanda Velazquez, โฃPresident of ASMBS, in a recent press conference. โ”This isn’tโฃ a harmless shortcut to weight loss; it’s aโข potentiallyโ dangerous gamble with your โhealth.”
The medications work by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite andโ blood sugar, but their long-term effects on individuals without diabetes are largely unknown. Experts caution that prolonged use can lead โto nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and potentially even cardiovascular problems. Furthermore, the suddenโ discontinuation of these drugs can result in rapid weight regain and other adverse effects.
Authorities โคare โinvestigatingโฃ reports of โcompounded versions โof semaglutide and tirzepatideโ circulatingโ online, which may contain incorrect โคdosages or harmful โimpurities. โขThe FDA has issued โwarnings against purchasing medicationsโ from unregulated sourcesโ and โฃurges individuals to consult with a healthcare professional โขbeforeโฃ considering any โคweight loss drug.Theโ situation is evolving, โwith ongoing research aimed at better understanding the risks and โคbenefits ofโ these medications, and increased scrutiny of online platforms promoting their off-label use.
