GLP-1 weight loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are encountering a growing concern: their potential to trigger or worsen eating disorders. While these drugs are highly effective for treating type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea by increasing insulin production and slowing gut movement, their appetite-suppressing and weight-loss effects can be dangerous for individuals with pre-existing or latent eating disorders. Researchers found that 32% of patients with eating disorders reported using a weight loss injection at least once, which is more than double the 15% of the general population using GLP-1s. Approximately 10% of these patients admitted to misusing the drugs, including taking incorrect doses, extending treatment beyond prescription, or sharing them with others.
Medical experts are alarmed that these drugs might be used as a tool for restricting food intake or controlling weight, which can severely aggravate eating disorders. This is particularly problematic as rapid weight loss can mask the re-emergence of an eating disorder due to social reinforcement. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels for these drugs do not list eating disorders as a side effect, and there are no approved medical uses for GLP-1 medications to treat any type of eating disorder. A perspective article in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated that over 420,000 individuals could develop an eating disorder with long-term use of these drugs.
Calls for increased vigilance among prescribers are growing, particularly as access to GLP-1s expands. Dr. Stephanie Widmer noted that these drugs can be "incredibly beneficial in the right patient and potentially problematic in the wrong patient." Doctors are encouraged to implement routine eating disorder screenings, similar to medical history reviews, to identify at-risk patients requiring closer follow-up. Concerns also extend to the misuse of compounded products, which are unregulated versions often bought online, further complicating the oversight of these powerful medications. Researchers emphasize the need for stronger pharmacovigilance and further studies on usage patterns, acquisition methods, and the influence of marketing on individuals with eating disorders.
