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It is important to screen for a history of eating disorders when prescribing GLP-1 medications.

Because of easy accessibility, these medications can be purchased for off-label use.

The use of GLP-1 medications can pose the risk of relapse for patients with a history of eating disorders.

“It’s like anorexic heroin to my brain." –40-year-old male with a long-standing history of anorexia who relapsed after purchasing a GLP-1 medication.

Weight loss medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists work by suppressing hunger signals. They have been a remarkable treatment for those who suffer from obesity and its health consequences, such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. However, because of the easy accessibility, heavy promotion, and emergence of online weight loss platforms, many users are obtaining these prescriptions for non-medical indications.

Last year, one of my middle-aged female patients decided she wanted to fit into a high-fashion dress for her high school reunion. In addition to frequent gym visits, she bought off-label Ozempic from a doctor in Dubai, where her daughter lives. When I saw her several months later, she was emaciated. Her once small frame now looked like she was suffering from a debilitating illness—her bones stuck out, her skin sagged, and her cheeks were hollow.

Today’s Washington Post reported the experience of a 27-year-old woman with a history of anorexia as a teen who wanted to fit into her bridesmaid’s dress at her sister’s wedding. She found a website that promised easy access to weight-loss prescriptions. While filling out their form, she lied about her characteristics, citing an incorrect, heavier weight and decreased mobility. After entering her payment information, she received a bottle of Wegovy pills in the mail a few days later.

What Are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a naturally occurring hormone called........

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