Ozempic remains at the center of American conversations around weight loss, especially as the demand for prescription medications aimed at shedding pounds continues to surge nationwide. This past week, two topics have dominated news coverage. First, the ongoing popularity and the urgent warnings about counterfeit versions of weight loss drugs like Ozempic. Second, the role that Oprah Winfrey’s public statements are playing in influencing perceptions about what these medications can—and cannot—actually do.

According to ABC News, federal officials are sounding the alarm as more patients turn to online sellers for Ozempic and similar drugs, leading to what Homeland Security calls an “absolutely” unprecedented surge in dangerous counterfeits. Many of these illegal sellers use phrases like “No Rx” to bypass regulations, promising weight loss drugs without prescriptions or safety guarantees. The Food and Drug Administration clarifies that Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are tightly regulated, manufactured under strict scrutiny, and are only legal with a prescription. In contrast, unofficial versions dubbed “Fauxzempic” can be counterfeit and potentially life-threatening. Recent coverage stresses that anyone seeking true Ozempic should rely solely on licensed medical professionals and FDA-approved pharmacies to avoid potentially severe health risks.

This swell in demand for ozempic and its lookalikes comes as people report dramatic results. Yet, the landscape is muddied not just by fake medicines but also by fraudulent endorsements using celebrity imagery and artificial intelligence. WCPO reports this week on how scammers are exploiting advanced technology to create deepfake videos of Oprah Winfrey allegedly promoting various supplements that claim to mimic Ozempic’s effects. These deceptive ads have tricked some consumers into spending hundreds of dollars on unknown substances shipped with no instructions and no scientific backing. Both the Better Business Bureau and independent investigative reports confirm Oprah Winfrey has repeatedly stated she does not endorse any over-the-counter supplement or nonprescription product for weight loss. Deepfake technology now allows scammers to fabricate realistic celebrity recommendations, making it increasingly difficult for ordinary people to separate truth from fiction.

Oprah’s real stance on Ozempic and weight loss has been thoughtfully discussed in recent interviews and podcasts. On a Yale University obesity medicine episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah explained she had long believed thinness was purely a matter of willpower. That changed when she used a prescription GLP-1 medication herself. Oprah described how she finally understood that for many, including herself, the battle with weight is between biology and behavior. She spoke of “food noise”—the constant thoughts and cravings that affect those struggling with obesity—and admitted that, even with medication, this noise never truly disappears. She emphasized medications like Ozempic are not magic bullets, pointing out that any sustainable weight loss for her requires exercise, vigilance, and ongoing lifestyle changes. In her own words published by People and reiterated in current reports, Oprah acknowledged relief and “redemption” in having medical tools to manage her health after decades of blame and shame but firmly denies these medications should be seen as effortless solutions.

Simultaneously, current research is highlighting new and unusual side effects associated with using Ozempic and similar drugs, especially in medical imaging. The Independent this week shared findings that patients who use these medications and then undergo PET scans might experience “hot spots” during imaging, potentially complicating diagnostic procedures for certain conditions. This development underscores the importance of informing healthcare providers about any recent prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs, so they...