Hong Kong approves celebrity weight-loss drug, but experts say it's not just for good looks

The latest celebrity weight-loss drug to be approved in Hong Kong will be available in December, but experts warn against using it for cosmetic purposes without a doctor's prescription.

U.S. drug giant Eli Lilly announced last month that Mounjaro was approved as a prescription drug by the Department of Health and Human Services to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Its main ingredient, tirzepatide, targets two hormones that can slow food digestion. Similar drugs previously approved in Hong Kong, including Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, use semaglutide as the main ingredient and target a hormone.

These drugs caused a stir after American celebrities such as billionaire Elon Musk, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, actress Whoopi Goldberg, former NBA star Charles Barkley and comedian Rosie O'Donnell said they lost weight after taking them.

Rising demand, including from people who simply wanted to lose weight, led to global shortages and led to warnings from health professionals to only use these drugs with a doctor's prescription.

A spokesman for Eli Lilly said Mounjaro is intended for adults who are obese or overweight and also have weight-related medical problems such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea or cardiovascular disease.