Weight-loss drug users turn to dietary supplements, doctors, regulators raise flags

Doctors and regulators are raising concerns as some users of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs turn to dietary supplements to manage side effects. The Reuters report highlights stories including Allison Vecchio, a 42-year-old emergency room nurse from Fort Pierce, Florida, who said she experienced severe gastrointestinal distress, brittle nails and weakness on drugs such as Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy. She reported improvement after starting a supplement mix—fiber, collagen and electrolytes—costing $200 to $300 per month. Sales of supplements have surged, reaching more than $74 billion in 2025, while FDA preapproval is not required for vitamins and supplements. The article notes increased influencer-led promotion and growing calls for tighter rules.