News at UI Health

As GLP-1 usage continues to rise, the search for cheaper, more accessible alternatives has led some to the secondary online market, but according to UI Health physicians Dr. Mario Masrur and Dr. Reed Berger-Fleishman, these medications can come with serious consequences.

In just one year, calls to Illinois poison centers for side effects of injectable weight loss drugs have more than doubled, and according to America's Poison Centers, the most common mistakes include taking doses too closely together or taking a higher than recommended dose.

"Many patients think these medications don’t come with side effects, but that just isn’t true — especially when they come from online pharmacies," said UI Health bariatrician Dr. Berger-Fleishman.

"Those suppliers produce non-FDA regulated, compounded medications, meaning they might have a little bit of the semaglutide or tirzepatide, but other things can be added in too. So, there’s real risk."

Director of UI Health’s Bariatric Surgery program, Dr. Mario Masrur, echoed Dr. Berger-Fleishman’s concerns, adding that UI Health’s Comprehensive Weight Management Program offers patients more personalized treatment options than an online provider.

“Treatments may vary according to each patient’s specific situation,” Dr. Masrur said. “We definitely encourage patients to seek care at academic centers, like UI Health, to meet with a multidisciplinary team that can give them the most options.

"I think the most important message is to make sure that patients get proper medical consultation,” added Dr. Masrur. “This will give them a better sense of their options and a weight management plan that is personalized to them.”

Drs. Masrur and Berger-Fleishman also offered the following tips to patients interested in GLP-1s:

• Avoid too good to be true prices and companies that don’t require a screening or prescription.
• Stay away from companies that don't have a licensed doctor available to answer questions after receiving the medication.
• Look for spelling errors on the label.

If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment with a UI Health clinician to discuss weight management options, call one of our clinics below:

Nutrition & Wellness: 312.413.3631
Medical Weight Loss: 312.413.3631
Bariatric Surgery: 312.996.5100