The Rising Trend of Microdosing GLP-1 Medications
Microdosing GLP-1 drugs for weight loss is gaining significant traction among Americans seeking to cut costs or minimise gastrointestinal side effects. According to a 2025 survey from the health tracking app Evidant, approximately 12 percent of American adults are now using GLP-1 medications, which originated as diabetes treatments before the weight-loss market expanded dramatically in 2021. Notably, the survey reveals that one in seven individuals using these drugs are opting for microdosing regimens.
Celebrity Endorsements and Telehealth Promotion
This practice has been heavily promoted by various telehealth companies, with Noom emerging as a prominent player. Actress Rebel Wilson serves as a spokesperson for Noom, publicly praising the effects of their microdose GLP-1 product in a September interview with USA Today, stating, "I felt amazing, I looked amazing." Other high-profile figures embracing the trend include Bravo host Andy Cohen and reality television star Brooks Nader, both of whom have discussed their experiences publicly. Cohen remarked on "TODAY with Jenna & Friends" last year, "It was enough for me. It kickstarted something," though he did not specify which GLP-1 drug he used.
Medical Warnings and Safety Concerns
However, a recent alert from Novant Health, a hospital group serving six million patients, cautions that smaller GLP-1 doses pose substantial risks and may not be particularly effective. Doctors typically prescribe U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved GLP-1 drugs for weekly use, starting with doses as low as a quarter of a milligram, tailored to individual weight loss needs. Drug manufacturers are currently testing weekly doses of semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy—up to 20 milligrams.
Microdoses are often created by splitting FDA-approved drugs into smaller portions, resulting in what are termed "compounded drugs." These custom-made medications are produced by licensed pharmacists and sold over the counter or through online telehealth platforms. The FDA has moved to restrict the use of compounded GLP-1s, permitting their production only during shortages of approved versions, though no such shortage currently exists.
Risks of Compounded Medications
Compounded versions lack FDA approval, meaning there is no guaranteed process for verifying their safety, efficacy, or quality before they reach consumers. Noom asserts that it collaborates with an FDA-regulated, sterile facility for production. Nevertheless, drugs manufactured in non-sterile environments can lead to bacterial infections. Additionally, dose-splitting errors may cause accidental overdoses; Brown Health reported a staggering 1,500 percent increase in calls related to overdoses on injected weight loss drugs in 2023.
Dr. W. Scott Butsch, Director of Obesity Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic's Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, advises against compounded medications, stating, "I don't recommend using compounded versions of these medications because they're untested—both in their effectiveness and their safety." Dr. John Cleek, an obesity medicine specialist at Novant Health General Surgery & Bariatrics, warns that these drugs might contain undisclosed or hazardous additives that could interact with other medications or health conditions. GLP-1s at any dosage can alter the effects of blood thinners and hormonal birth control. Cleek emphasises, "Most people usually aren't okay with injecting themselves with a random unknown drug. But that's essentially what you're doing if you use a compounded GLP-1 drug."
Effectiveness and Lifestyle Alternatives
Beyond safety issues, doctors argue that the weight-loss benefits of microdosing do not justify the risks, particularly for individuals aiming to lose less than five percent of their body weight. Dr. Katy Williams, a bariatric medicine specialist at University of Missouri Health Care, advocates for lifestyle changes as a primary approach, noting, "Work on your lifestyle first. Your doctor or a weight loss specialist will absolutely be able to find places where you can make meaningful lifestyle changes that can result in five to 10 pounds of weight loss."
Microdosing to alleviate side effects like nausea and vomiting is also deemed ineffective by experts such as Dr. Butsch. These symptoms typically diminish over time, and doctors can recommend dietary adjustments or anti-nausea medications instead. Butsch explains, "If you take a reduced dose, you run the risk of the drug disappearing from your system faster than intended. And when you take it again, you're going to have that side effect again because there hasn't been a steady amount of the medication in your system."
As the popularity of microdosing GLP-1 drugs continues to rise, fueled by celebrity endorsements and telehealth marketing, medical professionals urge caution, highlighting the potential dangers and advocating for FDA-approved treatments and lifestyle modifications as safer, more reliable alternatives for weight management.
