The Ethics of GLP-1 Advertising, from a GLP-1 User

By Grace Shults

GLP-1 agonist medications like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic have exploded with popularity in the past few years. While these medications are not novel, they are now being used for more than type-2 diabetes management. Within the last five years, GLP-1s have gained FDA approval  for weight loss or obesity-management and obstructive sleep apnea, There are also studies into other possible uses for these medications, including for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (or NASH), Parkinson’s disease,  Alzheimer’s, and even alcohol and substance use disorders.  While the research is ongoing, there is a real possibility that these medications can help a lot of people going forward.  

I should know! I am one of the folks living with obesity that has been prescribed a GLP-1 medication, so I speak not only as a patient advocate, but as a patient myself. 

However, there is an important fact that often gets lost in the noise around GLP-1s and their benefits: they are indeed a medication with potential side effects. Every drug can present side effects, both long-term and short-term. Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and especially their compounded versions are no different.There needs to be an honest conversation about side effects, particularly in the marketing of GLP-1s. 

Due to a shortage of GLP-1s in 2024 announced by the FDA, telehealth direct-to-consumer companies that sell compounded GLP-1s became prominent and were legally allowed to pick up the slack that the shortage created. With those companies came extensive advertising to promote their GLP-1 products, and over a year in despite the shortage ending, there shows no signs of stopping this type of marketing.

Every single day, it feels like we can’t go watch TV or go on social media without being inundated with ads telling us to get on a GLP-1 as quickly as possible. Influencers are building entire platforms off of this affiliate promotion, with links in their bios that give them financial kickbacks when their followers use their affiliate link.   The parasocial relationships with these figures make folks feel like they can trust these GLP-1 products, even though these influencers often neglect to include important safety information...

Recently, Serena Williams was featured in a commercial for a telehealth direct-to-consumer company called Ro discussing her use of a GLP-1 medication. The ad shows her glamourously posing with the injectable medication against her arm.

The issue is not Serena Williams using a GLP-1 medication, or even being open with the public about her GLP-1 use. The issue is that this form of advertising is always missing the potential side effects of these medications.  As a GLP-1 user myself, I can affirm that I have had episodic gastrointestinal distress since beginning Wegovy.  I tried Zepbound, another name-brand GLP-1, but could not tolerate it due to persistent vomiting.  There’s a lot of trial and error with these meds, and should be monitored consistently with a physician. 

As a GLP-1 user myself, I truly hope that we can move towards a world where these medications can be accessible for people who need them, but we also have to discuss the ethics of how we advertise these medications.  There needs to be continued regulation around not only the companies providing the GLP-1s, but how they are selling them too.  GLP-1s are not a one-size-fits-all. They are not a miracle.  They are a tool for folks and should be prescribed with all potential side effects, both beneficial and detrimental, in mind.