Officials urge residents to verify prescriptions and avoid unregulated sellers marketing compounded or counterfeit GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Organ Mountain News report

ALBUQUERQUE - The New Mexico Department of Justice is warning residents to be cautious when purchasing medications for weight loss, especially drugs in the GLP-1 class that include brands such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Officials said unregulated sellers — including med spas, wellness clinics, online marketplaces and social-media vendors — may offer unapproved or compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs that have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety or quality.

“These substituted or non-approved products can put consumers at serious risk,” the department said in a statement Friday.

The NMDOJ urges residents to consult licensed healthcare providers before using any GLP-1 medication, obtain a valid prescription and fill it only through a state-licensed pharmacy.

Consumers should be especially wary if a seller:

• Offers the drug without a prescription or licensed supervision
• Labels the product “research-grade,” “for research use only” or “not approved for human use”
• Sells it in unusual forms such as drops, sprays or skin patches rather than injectables
• Encourages buyers to mix, reconstitute or split doses on their own
• Promotes the product to minors
• Fails to include clear safety warnings or usage instructions
• Operates from another country or sells unusually large quantities
• Urges customers to falsify their weight or health status to obtain the drug

Consumers can report unsafe or deceptive weight-loss drug offers to the NMDOJ Consumer Protection Division at nmdoj.gov/get-help/submit-a-complaint.

The agency said residents can help protect their health — and others in the community — by staying alert to potential scams and asking questions before buying.