Billie Jean King ties her GLP-1 use to binge eating disorder

Billie Jean King said on the Wiser Than Me podcast that she has taken "a few injections" of a GLP-1 medication on her doctor's recommendation, describing herself as a binge eater who hoped the drug would quiet her preoccupation with food. Her account, given on April 25, 2024, stands out because most celebrities who have spoken publicly about these drugs have framed their use around weight loss, not disordered eating ^[1].

A wide range of public figures have described taking semaglutide or tirzepatide products for reasons tied to diabetes, menopause-related weight changes, or general weight management. Actor Eric Stonestreet has said he takes Mounjaro for Type 2 diabetes, calling it "a game changer" that altered his approach to eating and exercise ^[1]. Vanessa Williams said she started Mounjaro during menopause after her body stopped responding to the same diet and exercise routine that had worked for her before ^[1]. Serena Williams told TODAY she turned to a GLP-1 after struggling to lose weight following her second child's birth despite intense training and dietary changes, saying the drug is not "a shortcut" ^[1].

Others have described more difficult experiences. Podcast host Bunnie XO told People she had "a bout of suicidal ideation" while taking a GLP-1 she began using because of a family history of diabetes, calling it one of the darkest periods in her life before saying she is "good now" ^[1]. Savannah Chrisley said she initially stopped a GLP-1 because it changed her relationship with food she loves, before switching to tirzepatide, which she said produced better results with fewer side effects ^[1].

None of these other public accounts collected in available reporting mention binge eating disorder specifically, which is what makes King's framing distinctive within this broader landscape of celebrity disclosure ^[1]. Details such as which specific medication King used, her dosage, or how long she has been taking it are not part of the available reporting and are not yet known.

Why it matters for patients

GLP-1 medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for Type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Mounjaro) or chronic weight management (Wegovy, Zepbound), not specifically for binge eating disorder. When a public figure describes using one of these drugs for a reason outside its approved use, it can raise questions for patients about whether the same approach might apply to them. The broader collection of celebrity accounts shows that people take these drugs for many different reasons and have very different experiences, ranging from feeling like it changed their life for the better to experiencing serious mental health effects ^[1]. That range underscores why an individual's reasons for taking or not taking a GLP-1, and how they respond to it, can vary widely from person to person.

Patients considering these medications for any reason, including disordered eating, may want to understand that public figures' experiences are personal accounts, not clinical guidance, and that the approved uses of these drugs remain diabetes and weight management under a doctor's supervision ^[1].

What happens next

Available reporting does not include follow-up statements from Billie Jean King about her continued use of a GLP-1 medication, nor does it clarify whether she is still taking it. It is not yet known whether regulators or manufacturers have addressed off-label use for binge eating disorder specifically, and further reporting would be needed to track any change in her account or in broader off-label use patterns for this condition.