People have died or have been hospitalized from taking FDA-unapproved medications to lose weight. A Gallup national poll showed that out of the 15 percent (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/well/americans-taking-weight-loss-drugs.html) of Americans who take weight-loss drugs, 11 percent (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/well/americans-taking-weight-loss-drugs.html) of them take compounded medication, customized drugs that aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Compared to 2024, this is a 3 percent rise, meaning weight-loss drugs have become more accessible. While the increasing trend of FDA approved weight-loss drugs is positive, it becomes harmful when the unapproved medications are also used more. Compounded drugs should be harder to get and advertised more clearly.
Weight-loss drugs are known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1). They mimic hormones that lower appetite and slow digestion, causing longer satiety. FDA approved brands such as Zepbound have been shown to benefit cognitive and behavioral health, and lower the risk of pancreatitis and kidney conditions. Although these drugs are effective and helpful, the unapproved drugs may not have the same result.
The risk to health and safety is one big factor in using compounded weight-loss medications. FDA warns that compounded drugs can contain unknown contents and impurities or can be contaminated. There could also be fatal or severe dosage errors as these drugs usually have the patients draw medicine using a syringe on their own rather than providing single use injections, which risks accidental overdosage causing disruption of basic organ functions. Additionally, the possible side effects include severe nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, pancreatitis, gall bladder disease, and infections. Many people have been hospitalized from taking these counterfeit drugs, and some have even died from taking them.
Next, it’s possible compounded weight-loss drugs don’t even work. Since the quality of the drugs is not actually regulated and tested, it may not have the same evidence demonstrating its safety and effectiveness as an FDA-approved drug, leading to people wasting their money. Additionally, the drug will not work the same on every person.
Lastly, companies for these compounded weight-loss drugs might falsely advertise their drug. Many sellers might overexaggerate the effectiveness of their drug or make faulty promises about the weight loss that comes with it. Many companies don’t even include the fact that their drug is not FDA-approved, leaving out warnings and risks that come with taking them. They might use people with good results as proof of legitimacy when in reality, the drug will not work on everyone.
Most people use these medications mainly because they’re much cheaper than brand-name medication. Compounded weight-loss medication can range from 50% to 80% cheaper than FDA-approved ones. However, even though it is much cheaper, quality and safety are not always ensured. People could be holding back their health even further by simply taking the risk to use a cheaper drug. Money and health are at the cost of a chance of successful weight loss.
Overall, the use of non-FDA approved drugs must be lowered. Companies shouldn’t falsely advertise their drugs to lure people into buying them. These risky drugs should be harder to get and the FDA should take action to restrict them from being sold.
