Cheap knock-offs of Ozempic have continued in popularity – but are they safe?

Since the prices of Ozempic have increased in recent months, many people may be looking for cheaper alternatives for diabetes management or weight loss.

Some doctors, as well as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), warn of the potential dangers of using “knock-off brands” of semaglutides, which belong to the GLP-1 class of drugs. .

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and long-term physician who has been prescribing these types of medications since 2019, says he is “dismayed” by the practice.

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“Because of the cost of the Ozempic brand, more and more people are turning to cheaper versions, which are often found on the Internet or through unregulated channels,” he told Fox News Digital.

“These knock-offs are made in non-medical settings without the necessary quality assurance or quality control, which makes them inherently dangerous.”

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There is the potential for these drugs to be dangerous if there is no care for their source or manufacturing quality, Osborn warned.

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“When they’re done in uncontrolled environments, there’s no telling what you’re putting in your body.”

Dr. Sue Decotiis, MD, a weight loss doctor in New York City, confirmed that some people are looking for less expensive alternatives, but noted that their potential risks are becoming more and more popular.

“This happened to one of my patients before he came to me,” he shared with Fox News Digital.

“He got the medicine at a Florida pharmacy and then the drug stopped working. Weeks later, the pharmacy was closed.”

Many illegal chemicals that are not recognized by their local board of medicine will “just disappear,” Decotiis said.

The biggest risk is that the patient does not know what medicine is in it, he warned, as suppliers of dishonest goods can add fillers to the products.

Medicines like Ozempic require “precision in manufacturing,” according to Osborn.

He said: “You should only use prescription drugs.”

“The risk of these types is very high, and there is no law to ensure that they are done correctly.”

People should be careful when ordering any medicine on the Internet, doctors agree.

“Unless you get the medicine from a licensed pharmacy with a prescription, buying Ozempic or its knockoffs online is dangerous,” Osborn warned. “You cannot guarantee the product’s source, ingredients or safety.”

“I know of several nurses who stock Ozempic products and sell them on their Facebook pages,” he noted. “In fact, there’s a huge black market for it.”

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Although some online platforms may be legal because a health care provider writes a prescription, there may be other risks associated with them, Decotiis noted.

“It’s possible that no individual care or body composition is followed.”

Shortages of these illegal drugs are also common.

“This has a problem with prepayment, as many patients are not getting the medicine they thought they were going to get,” said Decotiis. “The customer must know.”

One of the biggest red flags is if an online platform offers direct shipping of the drug, Decotiis noted.

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“If you buy it directly, it’s an illegal place,” he said. “These sites are being shut down every day – who knows what they offer.”

Accredited affiliate companies only work with doctors, said Decotiis, and do not communicate directly with patients.

If cost is a concern, there are safer alternatives than buying off-brands, experts say.

“Many pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs — your doctor can guide you through those options,” Osborn said.

“There are other prescription drugs that may be cheaper, but still safe and effective to lower insulin levels and control weight,” he added.

Another example is metformin, another time-tested diabetes drug.

Osborn added, “Under no circumstances should you turn to unregulated alternatives just to save money.”

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Decotiis acknowledged that it would be “very difficult” for many people to find Ozempic and similar drugs.

He said: “These drugs are expensive, and it’s difficult for many people to get the care they need.

“For compounded products, you pay by the ounce, while with big pharma, you pay for a monthly supply,” he continued.

“With big pharma drugs, you pay more than before, but as it goes up in dosage, it’s actually cheaper.”

With compounded medicine, a licensed pharmacist or doctor combines, combines or changes ingredients to create a drug that is tailored to meet the needs of an individual, but is not approved by the FDA, according to the agency.

“This means that the agency does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are sold,” the FDA said on its website.

Osborn reiterated that medications like Ozempic should only be prescribed by a licensed prescriber — “not a telemedicine nurse or a chiropractor.”

“When used correctly, these drugs are powerful tools, but they can be dangerous in the wrong hands,” he said.

“Always consult a health care provider for proper training and experience in using this medication. Safety first.”

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The FDA and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both investigated cases of counterfeit Ozempic products in recent months and years.

“The FDA is aware that some patients and healthcare professionals may look to non-approved types of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) drugs, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, as an alternative to weight loss, a recent announcement on its website.

“This can be dangerous for patients, as unapproved versions are not evaluated by the FDA for safety, efficacy and quality before being marketed.”

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The FDA recommends that retail pharmacies only purchase genuine Ozempic through authorized distributors of Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, and that patients obtain Ozempic only with a prescription from a state-licensed pharmacy. .

Fox News Digital has reached out to Novo Nordisk and the FDA for comment.

Source of original article: Cheap knock-offs of Ozempic have continued in popularity – but are they safe?