Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is sounding the alarm on the misuse of their popular weight loss injectables, Zepbound and Mounjaro. Both drugs, which contain the hormone-mimicking ingredient tirzepatide, have become hot commodities in the weight loss market—even among those who do not meet the necessary medical criteria. In a strongly worded open letter, Eli Lilly declared its opposition to the use of these medications for cosmetic weight loss purposes, despite the billions of dollars the company has earned from such off-label use.
Zepbound and Mounjaro are officially classified as weight loss medications for people suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar. Much like their competitor, Ozempic, these drugs are often prescribed and used off-label for weight reduction in individuals without these specific conditions. The irony is palpable; while doctors are quick to prescribe these subcutaneously injected drugs to overweight patients looking to suppress appetite and manage weight, Eli Lilly is stepping up to remind everyone of the original intent behind these medications.
Eli Lilly’s stance is clear: Mounjaro and Zepbound should only be used in accordance with FDA guidelines. This means that they are exclusively for individuals who are both overweight and suffering from another weight-related condition, such as diabetes. Further complicating matters is the fact that tirzepatide has not been tested on individuals with gastrointestinal disorders like pancreatitis and gastroparesis, prompting the company to warn that people with these conditions should steer clear of the drug.
Interestingly, Eli Lilly’s open letter also seems to address issues plaguing its competitor, Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and its weight loss counterpart, Wegovy. While Novo Nordisk grapples with unapproved online ads and children being prescribed their drugs, Eli Lilly has declared that tirzepatide will never be advertised on social media and should not be taken by anyone under 18. This prudent stance hints at a desire to avoid the pitfalls that have ensnared their Danish rivals.
Towards the end of its cautionary note, Eli Lilly also takes a hard line against the use of compounded tirzepatide from unregulated online pharmacies. This is a concern shared by Novo Nordisk, which faces similar issues with compounded semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. Both pharmaceutical companies seem to be converging on a common point: the need for strict adherence to medical guidelines and the dangers of unregulated substances.
As the debate over the misuse of weight loss injectables intensifies, one has to wonder if drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide will eventually be seen solely as medical treatments rather than quick fixes for weight loss. For now, it certainly seems like Eli Lilly is committed to positioning their products within the boundaries of medical necessity, hoping to chart a different course amid the tumultuous landscape of weight loss medications.
More on weight loss warnings: Scary Counterfeit Ozempic Contains the Wrong Drug.
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