People with eating disorders are misusing Ozempic

At a glance:\n- About 32% of eating disorder patients reported lifetime use of GLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic, far exceeding general‑population rates.\n- Roughly 10% of participants admitted misusing the medication (higher dosing, dose escalation, or sharing) and another 10% used compounded versions.\n- GLP‑1 RAs are not approved for eating disorders and may exacerbate dangerous restriction behaviors.\n\n## Study reveals high GLP‑1 use among eating disorder patients\nThe researchers examined data from 436 people with eating disorders, asking whether they had ever taken a GLP‑1 medication. About 32% reported lifetime use and 22% were currently using a GLP‑1 drug, compared with roughly 15% to 18% in the general public. “People with eating disorders are a clinically diverse population who may be consuming GLP‑1 RAs in contraindicated ways to maintain eating disorder psychopathology through rapid restriction and weight loss,” the authors wrote in their paper published in JAMA Psychiatry. Participants were recruited through a network of unrelated studies, national organization advertisements, and targeted online outreach, and the findings rely on self‑reported answers.\n\nEven though the study is still ongoing, the sample size and recruitment methods give a clear picture of how common GLP‑1 use is within this clinical group. Because the data are self‑reported, the true rates could be higher, and the researchers caution that the numbers may understate the problem.\n\n## How misuse manifests\nThe investigators defined misuse in several concrete ways:\n- Starting on a larger dosage than prescribed\n- Increasing a dosage before recommended\n- Sharing the drug with people who don’t have a prescription\nRoughly 10% of participants reported having misused a GLP‑1 drug in their lifetime, and a similar proportion said they had taken a compounded version of the medication. These behaviors align with using the drugs to accelerate weight loss and maintain restrictive eating patterns.\n\nWhile some early research suggests GLP‑1 drugs could be an effective treatment for binge eating disorder, the current study emphasizes that the medications are not indicated for any eating disorder. The danger lies in using the drugs to achieve dangerously low body weights or to reinforce disordered eating behaviors.\n\n## Clinical implications and risks\nGLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are not approved for binge eating disorder, atypical anorexia nervosa, or typical anorexia, yet they carry cardiovascular and metabolic risks for patients with these conditions. The authors point out that the gray and black markets for these medications make it easy for people with eating disorders to obtain them without medical oversight. “GLP‑1 RA pharmacovigilance is urgently needed as the commercial market expands from injectable to oral products and new formulations,” they warned.\n\nBecause the findings are based on self‑reports, clinicians should be vigilant when prescribing GLP‑1s to patients with a history of eating disorders. The study underscores the need for better screening tools and monitoring to prevent misuse while preserving potential therapeutic benefits for appropriate patients.\n\n## Market access and regulatory concerns\nAll GLP‑1s require a prescription, but compounded or otherwise unregulated versions have become relatively easy to obtain, fueling misuse among vulnerable populations. The prevalence of a gray and black market means that individuals with eating disorders can acquire the drugs without proper medical evaluation, bypassing safety safeguards.\n\nFuture research plans to provide more precise estimates of GLP‑1 use across different eating disorder subtypes and to track patterns of misuse over time. As oral formulations enter the market, regulators and healthcare providers will need to adapt monitoring strategies to address emerging risks.\n\n## What needs to change\nClinicians should incorporate questions about GLP‑1 use into routine assessments for patients with eating disorders, and educational campaigns must highlight the dangers of using these medications for weight‑loss purposes outside of approved indications. Screening tools and electronic health‑record alerts can help identify high‑risk individuals before misuse escalates.\n\nThe researchers call for robust pharmacovigilance programs that capture real‑world data as the commercial landscape evolves. Ensuring that GLP‑1 drugs are taken appropriately, especially by those with a history of eating disorders, will require coordinated effort from prescribers, regulators, and patient advocates.\n\n## Looking ahead\nThe study’s findings illustrate a growing public‑health challenge as GLP‑1 medications become more widely available in both injectable and oral forms. Policymakers and health systems must balance the legitimate therapeutic benefits of these drugs with the need to protect vulnerable patients from misuse.\n\nOngoing longitudinal research will refine prevalence estimates and clarify which eating disorder subtypes might benefit from GLP‑1 treatment under proper supervision. In the meantime, heightened awareness and proactive monitoring are essential to mitigate the risks highlighted by this research.