The pitch is all over social media and irresistible for many people desperate to lose weight: Get an imitation version of pricey, hard-to-find drugs like Ozempic or Mounjaro for a fraction of the cost.

But the booming business of off-brand versions of the blockbuster drugs, which trigger the hormone GLP-1 and curb hunger, has left many consumers wondering whether it is worth trying. Here’s what you should know.