‘Faux-zempic’ Warning Issued as Dangerous Counterfeit Weight Loss Drugs Circulate
As weight loss drugs continue to surge in popularity, largely driven by social media buzz and celebrity endorsements, medical experts are sounding the alarm over a dangerous new trend: counterfeit Ozempic, now being dubbed “faux-zempic.”
These fake versions of the drug are not only ineffective, they can be extremely hazardous and, in some cases, life-threatening. Ozempic, a prescription drug originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes, contains the active ingredient semaglutide.
This compound helps regulate blood sugar levels and also suppresses appetite by mimicking a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which signals to the brain that the body is full. This secondary effect is what led to its sudden reputation as a weight loss solution.
However, as interest in the “skinny jab” continues to rise, fueled by celebrities like James Corden and Sharon Osbourne openly discussing their use of the drug, so does the risk associated with accessing it through illegitimate channels. This has created a dangerous market for counterfeit or unregulated alternatives.
A psychiatrist based in the Northeast of the United States spoke about the growing concern surrounding these knock-off medications. “It’s an alarming trend out there of these predatory people being involved with this medication,” she said. “A lot of people will go to pill mills online and get various people ‘prescribing’ [weight loss drugs for them] when they haven’t even talked to a physician.”
These fake products, now nicknamed “faux-zempic,” often contain unknown additives or substitute substances that can cause serious health complications. In some cases, counterfeit versions have included insulin rather than semaglutide, leading to severe reactions.
Several patients in Austria were hospitalized after injecting fake Ozempic, and in Chicago, a man fell into a coma after using a counterfeit version purchased from an unregulated source. Younger people are also being affected.
A recent study found that one in ten teenagers had used products marketed as “nature’s Ozempic” or “budget Ozempic,” including laxatives and other unapproved weight loss supplements. These products are not safe for adolescents and have been linked to increased risks of developing eating disorders and other mental health conditions.
Dr. John Hertig, a pharmacist and member of the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, warns that counterfeit drugs come with multiple dangers. “Any drug received from an illegitimate source comes with inherent risk, including getting sugar pills and wasting money, getting a substance that has been contaminated with something that shouldn’t be consumed, or not having a prescriber to issue instructions on how to administer it,” he said.
A recent study found that one in ten teenagers had used products marketed as “nature’s Ozempic” or “budget Ozempic
Because Ozempic is administered via injection, the risks of counterfeit versions are compounded. “Illegitimate weight loss drugs posing as Ozempic carry specific risks because they are injectables,” Dr. Hertig explained. “They're not only counterfeiting the actual pharmaceutical product, they're also counterfeiting the needles that go with it.”
He emphasized how hazardous this can be. “Think about counterfeit needles in the risk that that might have. You're literally injecting yourself with something you don't know where that needle came from either.”
With demand continuing to grow and misinformation spreading across social platforms, the warning from the medical community is clear: do not use any version of Ozempic unless it has been prescribed by a licensed medical professional and dispensed by a reputable pharmacy.
