Counterfeit Ozempic

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight and you haven’t broken it yet (and if you have, really, it’s fine), you might be considering asking your doctor to prescribe you Ozempic, the diabetes drug widely used off-label for weight loss.

But consumers need to be on the lookout for fakes.

The FDA says it has seized “thousands of units” of counterfeit Ozempic that had been distributed through legitimate sources in the drug supply chain including retail pharmacies.

The agency and the maker of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, are testing the fakes to obtain information about their identify, quality and safety. The FDA says it is aware of five adverse health events linked to the counterfeit products, though none of them are serious.

The fake shots are labeled with lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057.

The FDA advises that patients should only obtain Ozempic through state-licensed pharmacies and recommends that consumers check the product for any signs of counterfeiting – such as different needle packaging (see above) – before injecting.

If consumers suspect counterfeit Ozempic, they can report it to the FDA by calling 800-332-1088 or by contacting a state complaint coordinator.

Of course, not all of the side effects of authentic Ozempic are beneficial like weight loss. According to Novo Nordisk, some of the most common side effects of the drug include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation.

Individuals looking for help reaching their weight-loss goals should consult with their health care provider to determine the best plan.

Find more of our coverage on weight loss here.