Compounded GLP-1 Products for Weight Loss in Colorado
Author Information
Author(s): Michael J. DiStefano, Mouna Dardouri, Gina D. Moore, Joseph J. Saseen, Kavita V. Nair
Primary Institution: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Hypothesis
What are the prevalence, characteristics, and advertising content of direct-to-consumer providers of compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado?
Conclusion
The study found numerous instances of unapproved glucagon-like peptide-1 products being compounded and advertised in Colorado, along with misleading claims about their regulatory status.
Supporting Evidence
- 93 business websites advertising compounded GLP-1 products were identified.
- Most businesses were categorized as medical/health spas or weight loss services.
- 41 out of 93 websites referred to FDA approval in their product descriptions.
- 5 out of 93 websites referred to their products as 'generic'.
- One product was advertised as compounded with BPC-157, deemed unsafe by the FDA.
Takeaway
Some businesses in Colorado are selling special weight loss medicines that aren't approved by the FDA, and they sometimes make false claims about them.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study of websites advertising compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 products for weight loss in Colorado was conducted using Google searches.
Potential Biases
Potential for misleading claims about the safety and efficacy of compounded products due to lack of FDA oversight.
Limitations
The study may not have captured all businesses advertising GLP-1 drugs due to reliance on Google searches, and the findings are not generalizable over time.
Participant Demographics
Businesses identified were located throughout Colorado, a state with a population of approximately 5.8 million.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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