Counterfeit medications wanted for weight loss seized in Ohio

[WATCH: In the video player above learn if you stop taking Wegovy after you’ve lost weight?]

CINCINNATI, Ohio (WJW) – Authorities report more than $250,000 worth of counterfeit and unapproved medications were recently intercepted at a shipping facility in Cincinnati.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a Tuesday press release that officers inspected hundreds of boxes and found a wide variety of counterfeit injectables and pills that are currently in high demand, including what appeared as Ozempic , Wegovy, and Trulicity injections wanted for weight loss. Other medications discovered were Botox, Minoxidil, and Riaxon.

According to the release, the pharmaceuticals originated in many different countries such as China, South Korea, India, Italy, Guatemala, United Kingdom, and Canada, and were bound for destinations all over the United States including Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

“These drugs can be expensive and hard to acquire in many locations, but CBP urges consumers to only purchase these medications from reputable sources,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director Field Operations-Chicago. “Cheap prices are not always the safest, especially when it comes to your health and wellbeing.”

Officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warn that while consumers may believe the products are genuine, unless they are purchased from a legitimate source there is no guarantee and expressed concern over unknown ingredients and manufacturing conditions.

“Counterfeit and fraudulent prescription drugs originating from other countries and shipped into the U.S., particularly injectable products that should be sterile, can present a serious health risk to those who use them. The drugs have not undergone the proper FDA review, testing and may contain unknown or dangerous ingredients,” warned Dan Solis, FDA Assistant Commissioner for Import Operations, in the release.

Officials say that had the shipments been legitimate, the combined value of the drugs would have been over $268,000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.