Millions of Americans on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are turning to dietary supplements to manage side effects, driving a booming — and loosely regulated — market. Nearly half of GLP-1 users have added new vitamins or supplements since starting the drugs, with social media influencers accelerating the trend. Doctors are raising safety concerns, and regulators are now weighing tighter oversight of the supplement industry.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed obesity and diabetes treatment, but their side effects — nausea, fatigue, GI distress, and muscle weakness — are pushing many users toward dietary supplements. Nearly half of GLP-1 users have started new vitamins or supplements since beginning therapy, with probiotics, protein, fiber, collagen, and electrolytes among the most popular additions. The trend is being amplified by social media influencers, some of whom are licensed health professionals earning commissions or retainers from supplement brands.
The problem? Supplements don't require FDA preapproval, meaning consumers often can't verify what's actually in the products they're taking. Doctors warn this creates real safety risks, especially when influencer-driven marketing makes unverified health claims. Meanwhile, the supplement industry is booming — US sales topped $74 billion in 2025, with TikTok Shop alone generating over $1 billion in supplement sales that year.
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Why it matters: As GLP-1 use scales rapidly, the unregulated supplement market riding its coattails poses growing risks to patient safety. Proposed FDA and HHS rule changes could reshape how supplements reach consumers — a development clinicians and patients alike should watch closely.
