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Weight loss drugs like Wegovy may trigger eating disorders in some patients, doctors warn

The blockbuster medications are highly effective for diabetes and weight loss, but a growing number of doctors are concerned that the drugs are triggering or worsening eating disorders in some people. Justine Goode / NBC News; Getty IMages

Abuse of weight loss drugs is nothing new, but “nothing compares to the phenomenon that we’re seeing right now with these GLP-1s,” one provider said.

July 31, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT; By Liz Szabo, Marina Kopf and Akshay Syal, M.D.

Over the past six months, psychologist Tom Hildebrandt has seen an increase in patients with eating disorders who are taking popular weight loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound.

“They start using this drug and next thing you know, they’ve developed what looks very much like anorexia nervosa,” said Hildebrandt, who leads Mount Sinai’s Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders in New York City.

The blockbuster medications have been hailed as wonder drugs for their profound effects on diabetes and weight loss, but a growing number of doctors are concerned that the medications are triggering or worsening eating disorders in some people.

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