Top in endocrinology: Beware tirzepatide counterfeits; semaglutide after bariatric surgery

Eli Lilly and Co. urged consumers not to use tirzepatide for cosmetic weight loss and to avoid compounded and counterfeit versions of the drug.

Mounjaro/Zepbound (tirzepatide, Eli Lilly) received FDA approval for adults with type 2 diabetes and adults with obesity or overweight plus at least one weight-related comorbidity. Lilly is the only manufacturer of tirzepatide, but the company reported finding compounded versions with impurities, one of which was just sugar alcohol.

“Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority, and we actively engage in monitoring, evaluating and reporting safety information for all our medicines,” the letter stated. “We are aware of certain practices relating to our tirzepatide medicines that we wish to address publicly to ensure that our medicines are prescribed and used safely.”

It was the top story in endocrinology last week.

Another top story was about weight loss results from semaglutide in adults with a history of bariatric surgery. After 24 weeks of once-weekly doses, those who did not respond to bariatric surgery achieved an average of 9.8% weight loss, compared with an average of 8.7% among adults with no history of bariatric surgery.

Read these and more top stories in endocrinology below:

Lilly warns public not to use tirzepatide for cosmetic weight loss

Eli Lilly and Co. released an open letter stating its tirzepatide products should not be used for cosmetic weight loss and warning the public about the circulation of compounded and counterfeit tirzepatide. Read more.

Semaglutide induces weight loss for nonresponders to bariatric surgery

Adults who initiated once-weekly semaglutide after not responding to bariatric surgery lost a similar amount of weight as those without a history of bariatric surgery, according to study findings published in Obesity. Read more.

Hemithyroidectomy linked to better quality of life for adults with low-risk thyroid cancer

Hemithyroidectomy is associated with better quality of life after surgery than total thyroidectomy for adults with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer, though more studies are needed, according to findings from a systematic review. Read more.

Q&A: Increased awareness may boost uptake of inhaled insulin

A form of inhaled insulin has been available for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes for nearly a decade, but providers say many people are not aware that it may be a treatment option for them. Read more.

Preconception perceived stress affects glucose levels during pregnancy

Pregnant women are more likely to have high glucose levels if they report worse psychological stress before conception, according to study findings published in Journal of the Endocrine Society. Read more.