What 'microdosing' GLP-1s says about the compounding market

Marketing claims about the weight loss drugs in small doses aren't backed by robust clinical evidence.

November 4, 2025 Check out STAT+

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Health care has taken center stage in key races that will be decided on Election Day today, a sign of midterm strategies to come from both Republicans and Democrats. Read more from STAT's Daniel Payne.

Photo illustration: STAT; Photo: Adobe STAT+ | Experts worry FDA's credibility is being shredded by scandal and 'soap opera' Lawsuit against Tidmarsh latest blow to agency whose credibility has been shredded by infighting, regulatory uncertainty. "Nothing less than a clown show." By Matthew Herper and Lizzy Lawrence STAT+ | Trump administration nears deals for cheaper weight loss drugs with Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly Trump drug price negotiations expected to include Medicare coverage for weight loss drugs Wegovy, Zepbound, and prices as low as $150 By Daniel Payne, Elaine Chen, and Chelsea Cirruzzo STAT+ | Microdosing aims to extend the lifespan of the GLP-1 compounding market Telehealth company claims aside, physicians and researchers say there is no robust clinical evidence that semaglutide or tirzepatide are effective at small doses. By Katie Palmer Adobe/Getty Images STAT+ | Bidding war between Pfizer, Novo Nordisk for obesity startup Metsera escalates The higher of the two bids, from the Danish drugmaker, would value the obesity biotech at up to $10 billion. By Elaine Chen Opinion: A miracle pill for Parkinson's is 50 years old. Why can't most of the world get it? Parkinson's has doubled globally in 25 years but access to a miracle drug is spotty. A STAT First Opinion says this is more than a supply chain problem. By Michael S. Okun and Ray Dorsey STAT+ | Sarepta Therapeutics' dismal quarter marred by drug failures and a long list of excuses A long-delayed confirmatory clinical trial fails to show a benefit for patients, and sales of the company's Elevidys gene therapy were lower. By Adam Feuerstein Hulton Archive/Getty Images Opinion: I'm a neuroscientist who works on memory manipulation. My work helps me recover from addiction A neuroscientist used his understanding of the brain's constant change to teach it to crave human connection instead of alcohol. By Steve Ramirez STAT+ | Children's hospital lobby shifts strategy amid MAHA's rise in Washington The Children's Hospital Association is expanding its lobbying focus to champion children's health more broadly. The shift tracks with MAHA movement trends. By Daniel Payne

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