Weight loss patients fret over FDA limits on off

As the Food and Drug Administration clamps down on off-brand weight loss medications, users are stocking up on supplies and fretting about the future of their treatment.

Over the past few years, demand for blockbuster medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound skyrocketed. These drugs are typically prescribed to address a range of health issues, including diabetes and obesity. However, they're also pricey, and health insurance plans often don't cover them for weight-loss use.

As a result, a market for cheaper, off-brand versions of their active ingredients — semaglutide and tirzepatide — has proliferated, serving people looking for weight loss drugs at a fraction of the cost. Now, the FDA is beginning to crack down on the off-brand market, leaving people who depend on it in the lurch.