The "microdosing" trend for GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy is spreading from the US to the UK. This off-label practice involves taking reduced doses to curb hunger and achieve gradual weight loss, appealing to individuals who don't meet the criteria for standard prescriptions. While private clinics offer it and some users report benefits like reduced inflammation, medical experts warn of unpredictable outcomes due to lack of scientific evidence and safety data.
Microdosing: how ‘off-label’ use of weight loss jabs is spreading from US to UK
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The "microdosing" trend for GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy is spreading from the US to the UK. This off-label practice involves taking reduced doses to curb hunger and achieve gradual weight loss, appealing to individuals who don't meet the criteria for standard prescriptions. While private clinics offer it and some users report benefits like reduced inflammation, medical experts warn of unpredictable outcomes due to lack of scientific evidence and safety data.
Trending- 1 Last October (2024): Dr Andrew Huberman posts interview on X, boosting microdosing trend
- 2 January (2025): Study published on GLP-1 drugs reducing risk of 42 diseases
- 3 February (2025): The Lancet article on microdosing
- 4 May (2025): CheqUp partners with Weight Watchers; online pharmacies no longer allowed to run adverts for weight-loss injections
- 5 This week (July 8-14, 2025): Online pharmacies no longer allowed to run adverts for weight-loss injections
- 6 July 12, 2025: Article published
- Increased off-label use of GLP-1 drugs
- Concerns from medical experts about safety and efficacy
- Regulatory crackdowns on advertising
- Potential for both reported benefits (weight loss, reduced inflammation) and unknown side-effects
What: The "microdosing" of GLP-1 weight loss drugs (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy) is becoming a trend, spreading from the US to the UK.
When: Currently, with the trend gaining traction since last October (2024).
Where: United States, United Kingdom (Leicester, central London, Hertfordshire, Kent).
Why: Users seek to curb hunger, achieve gradual weight loss, potentially reduce side-effects, cut costs, and address other health benefits (e.g., inflammation, alcohol consumption), especially for those not meeting standard prescription criteria.
How: Private clinics offer reduced doses, health influencers promote it on social media, and users count clicks on pre-filled pens to administer smaller amounts.