Understanding off-label weight loss medication — and how it could work for you

Found offers medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat specific diseases, such as anti-obesity medications (AOMs). But providers can also use their clinical judgment to prescribe medications to treat conditions or diseases beyond what they were approved for originally. And that allows Found’s physicians to offer a wide variety of weight care treatments.

Take, for example, Ozempic, Trulicity, or liraglutide, which are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists designed to help regulate blood sugar. They’re approved for managing type 2 diabetes, although there’s good evidence that they can also support weight loss. By prescribing these medicines off-label, a provider can adjust the dosage to better fit their patient’s needs, and even make treatment more cost-effective. 

This usage is called off-label prescribing, and it’s a common clinical practice that’s done because advances in medicine sometimes outpace the FDA’s review process. Often clinicians are aware of research-backed benefits that a medication may have on a chronic disease or condition before the FDA approves the drug for additional uses, such as weight management. 

Side effects are the same as for people who are taking these drugs for their FDA-approved conditions. Common side effects of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Trulicity or liraglutide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and acid reflux. More serious but less common side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and worsening of diabetic eye disease. Those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasias should not use these drugs. Find detailed side effect and risk information for specific medications on our dedicated medication page.

Is off-label prescribing legal? 

TL;DR: Yes. A drug prescribed for off-label use by a health care provider is already FDA-approved for another medical condition. Clinical trials have demonstrated how safe and effective many medications are for off-label usage—all sorts of medications, not just those that can treat obesity. In other words, the same benefits, risks and side effects for approved-use medications apply to them when used off-label. One example is gabapentin. It’s a commonly prescribed anti-seizure medication that is frequently used off-label for anxiety, postoperative pain relief, and alcohol withdrawal. 

Why take medication for weight loss at all?

Often, our members have tried many other ways to lose weight besides medication—such as diet, exercise, managing stress, and improving their sleep. Those things are all important for a successful weight journey. But there’s good evidence that those steps aren’t always enough and that different medications—or combinations of medications—are necessary for successful, long-term weight loss. Your Found provider will review the details of your prescribed medication with you. Your program is personalized and individualized to you, and all medications are used in the most secure way possible.

How the Found program works

The Found journey begins with a health quiz. If you're eligible, you can expect to undergo an evaluation with a board-certified medical provider in order to find the right medication. Some medications target the reward center in your brain to curb cravings, while others may stabilize your blood sugar, or help control your appetite. Whatever the medication may be, you can be confident in knowing that it caters to your unique biology. Prescriptions are up to a medical provider's discretion.

Alongside medication, lifestyle modifications are crucial to sustainable weight loss. Which is why as a Found member you will get access to a supportive community with other Found members, science backed health content, and a digital app to provide accountability and support as you create sustainable habits across your nutrition, movement, sleep, and mental health. 

GLP-1*

GLP-1 prescriptions, filled through your local pharmacy, are now available as part of Found's weight-loss toolkit. While GLP-1s are effective for weight loss, they are not clinically appropriate for everyone. Eligibility for a GLP-1 is based on a thorough evaluation of your medical history, eating behavior, lab work, and insurance coverage. If a GLP-1 is not appropriate for you, our providers will work with you to determine an effective medication for your health profile. Prescriptions are up to a medical provider's discretion.

About Found

Found is among the largest medically-supported weight care clinics in the country, serving more than 250,000 members to date. To start your journey with Found, take our quiz.