Should you microdose Ozempic? Experts are split on risks vs benefits

The rise of GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) has introduced new approaches to both weight loss and overall metabolic health.

Some users have found that microdosing, or taking the drug in small amounts, achieves the best health outcomes, but some experts warn against it.

In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Terry Dubrow, a plastic surgeon and TV personality based in Newport Beach, California, recommended that everyone takes a low daily dose, even if they don’t need to lose weight.

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"I am obsessed with the concept of microdosing," he said. "I think maybe half the starting dose for diabetes is the way to go — and you probably don't need it every seven days, it's probably every 10 days, just to sort of modulate the amount of sugar in the blood."

The approach has gained popularity on social media, as influencers and self-proclaimed "health gurus" have promoted it even for people without diabetes or obesity.

In a recent episode of the Full Send podcast, Bryan Johnson, a venture capitalist and online creator who aims to reverse aging and extend human lifespan, shared that he microdoses Ozempic.

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"There are some side effects. For example, the dose I'm on raises my resting heart rate by two or three beats, which is a big deal for me, but the benefits are great," he said.

"GLP-1s are the first legit longevity drug," he went on. "It’s an amazing drug … There’s just nothing that rivals its efficacy."

Johnson suggested that a future where most people are microdosing GLP-1s is "not too far off."

"I am as healthy as a person can be, and I still benefit from GLP-1s," he said. "It has other metabolic effects, it has good neuroprotective effects."

Despite these claims, some weight-loss experts find this approach to be not only more costly, but also less effective.

Dr. Andre Teixeira, a bariatric surgeon with the Orlando Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Institute, told Fox News Digital that microdosing is "truly dependent" on the individual.

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"The concern is there is no true protocol for it," he said. "We do not do microdosing at our practice."

While some people may think microdosing is cheaper, the doctor claims it can be "more expensive in the long run."

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"[That's] because you’re adjusting the dose and then not getting the full benefits of the medication," he said. "I see people who get frustrated that they are not achieving the weight-loss goal they were hoping for because they are spreading out their doses."

"The risk is that you’re not only playing with the potential benefits, but you’re also playing with the side effects, like nausea and vomiting."

The expert recommends working closely with a healthcare provider before starting a GLP-1. "I do not encourage microdosing on your own," he added.

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Fox News Digital reached out to GLP-1 drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Lilly for comment. 

Fox News Digital's Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.