Soon-to-be brides and grooms in India are seeking shortcuts to shed pounds before their big day, with weight-loss drugs becoming the latest consumer target. Clinics are offering 'pre-wedding' transformation packages that include weight-loss injections, such as Mounjaro, alongside skin treatments and hairstyle makeovers.
Eight doctors interviewed by Reuters said they have been fielding inquiries from brides, and some grooms, about taking weight-loss drugs before taking their vows. Many asked for Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, the first GLP-1 medication to enter India's market for both diabetes and weight loss.
Weddings in India are grand affairs, with culture and tradition exerting a strong influence. Many marriages continue to be arranged by families, often bringing expectations around physical appearance and financial status.
Aditi, a 26-year-old finance worker from Mumbai, consulted a doctor in November for a weight-loss prescription after exercise and diet failed to get the desired results. She lost 10 kilograms on Mounjaro before her February wedding and said she felt happy and confident.
The market for obesity drugs in India is forecast to reach ₹80 billion by 2030, with Mounjaro sales doubling in the months after launch. Indian drugmakers have begun selling cheaper versions of Novo's medicine, widening access.
The drugs are intended for adults classified as obese, or for those considered overweight with a weight-related medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea. However, concerns have been raised about misuse and intensified scrutiny of unauthorized sales and promotion.
