Experts Warn Against Unsafe Weight Loss Drug Alternatives

As demand for FDA-approved medications like Ozempic grows, officials caution against using unauthorized and potentially dangerous substitutes.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:26pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph of a medical syringe filled with an unknown liquid substance, set against a dark background. The internal structure of the syringe is revealed in glowing lines, conveying a sense of clinical unease and the potential dangers of using unapproved medical products.As the popularity of prescription weight loss drugs surges, experts warn that unauthorized alternatives could pose serious health risks to consumers.Hartford Today

With weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound rising in popularity, health experts and officials in Connecticut are warning consumers to be cautious about using unauthorized alternatives found online or at med spas. These unregulated products may not be approved by the FDA and could pose serious health risks without proper medical supervision.

Why it matters

As the demand for prescription weight loss medications increases, some patients are turning to cheaper alternatives that have not undergone the same rigorous testing and approval process as FDA-approved drugs. This raises concerns about the safety and efficacy of these unauthorized products, which could lead to dangerous side effects if used improperly.

The details

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong says some businesses are misleading customers by marketing these alternatives as 'generic' versions of popular weight loss drugs, when in fact there are no true generic forms of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Zepbound. Investigators have uncovered concerning products being shipped directly to consumers, including powders with instructions on how to mix and inject them at home. Tong's office has sent cease-and-desist letters to several med spas across the state, warning them to stop selling these unapproved products immediately.

  • Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound have been growing in popularity across Connecticut and the United States.
  • Supply shortages of these FDA-approved medications are beginning to ease, leading some patients to seek out cheaper alternatives.

The players

Jeannie Leitao

A registered dietitian who explains that brand-name weight loss medications like Ozempic and Zepbound go through extensive clinical trials and federal approval processes to ensure they are safe and effective.

William Tong

The Connecticut Attorney General who says some businesses are misleading customers by marketing unapproved weight loss products as 'generic' versions of popular drugs, and whose office has sent cease-and-desist letters to several med spas across the state.

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What they’re saying

“The difference is you've got the drugs that have already gone through their trials. They've already been approved by the FDA.”

— Jeannie Leitao, Registered Dietitian

“There is no generic form of a GLP-1 weight loss drug. There's no generic form of Ozempic or Wegovy... or Zepbound.”

— William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General

“We got [a package] in the mail through our investigation. It was like a little medication vial... a powder and some instructions on how you're supposed to mix this up at home yourself and then inject it into your body.”

— William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General

What’s next

Tong's office is pushing for stronger federal oversight from the FDA to help protect consumers from the risks of using unregulated weight loss products.

The takeaway

As the demand for prescription weight loss medications continues to grow, it is crucial for consumers to be cautious about using any unauthorized alternatives, as they may not have undergone the same rigorous testing and approval process as FDA-approved drugs and could pose serious health risks if used improperly.