The prescription of GLP-1 obesity treatments, often called weight-loss shots among teens, has skyrocketed, raising alarm bells about potential misuse. Notably, prescriptions for the obesity drug Mounjaro in adolescents have increased nearly fivefold in just six months.
Data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, obtained by Kim Sun-min of the Justice Innovation Party on Friday, shows that between October last year and March this year, there were 25,150 prescription checks for obesity treatments targeting teenagers.
Mounjaro prescriptions for teens jumped from 380 in October to 1,888 in March, a staggering five-fold increase. The cumulative number of prescription checks during this period reached 8,136.
Another drug, Wegovy, saw its prescription checks more than double from 914 to 2,213, totaling 17,014 checks.
Last October, Novo Nordisk’s Korean branch received approval to expand Wegovy’s use to adolescents. The drug can now be prescribed as a supplement to diet and exercise for patients 12 and older with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² (about 6.14 lb/ft²) or higher and weighing over 60 kg (about 132 lbs).
However, health officials recommend stopping treatment if a 5% BMI reduction isn’t achieved after 12 weeks of the maximum tolerable dose or 2.4 mg weekly.
Meanwhile, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro hasn’t yet been approved for teen use in Korea. While clinical trials are ongoing, off-label prescriptions remain at doctors’ discretion.
Both drugs, part of the GLP-1 class, work by boosting insulin production and curbing appetite. But their popularity has sparked concerns about cosmetic use and potential side effects.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has warned that teens face higher risks of side effects like gallstones, cholecystitis, and low blood pressure. They stress that poor nutrition and rapid weight loss could impact growth, emphasizing the importance of adhering to approved guidelines.
Reports suggest that even individuals of normal weight can easily obtain prescriptions in Seoul’s Jongno district, particularly around Jongno 5-ga. Health insurance data shows a concentration of top prescribers in this area.
One Jongno clinic reported a staggering 50,999 Wegovy prescription checks since its introduction in October 2023. Another logged 31,915 checks for Mounjaro since August last year.
Medical experts caution against repeated prescriptions without proper diagnosis, especially for growing adolescents. They’re calling for stricter oversight from both the government and medical community to prevent potential health risks from cosmetic use among teens.