A recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that patients taking the drugs Ozempic (semaglutide)

Peptide companies' are creating knock-off versions of these drugs that have not been approved by the FDA and contain ingredients that may lack the purity of the branded medications.

Originally approved to help with excess weight and obesity, Wegovy and Ozempic, have become synonymous with weight loss fads. Here's what you need to know.

Poor purity can cause patients to experience fever, chills, nausea, skin irritation, infections and low blood pressure.

Zealand Pharma CEO Adam Steensberg said Friday that the company is working on a next-generation weight loss drug that’s designed to work differently from those currently on the market and with the potential for fewer side effects.