CULLMAN – A Cullman-based IV infusion clinic has been shut down and its owners sued by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall for allegedly administering unsafe, research-grade weight loss drugs to patients.
According to a news release from Marshall’s office, the Cullman County Circuit Court granted his request for a temporary restraining order against Aurora IV and Wellness and its owners, Amanda and Chris Medders.
Marshall alleges that the defendants illegally administered unsafe, research-grade weight loss drugs to patients without their knowledge or consent, the news release said. The Attorney General’s Office sought a temporary restraining order to immediately close the business and freeze the defendants’ assets, citing violations of Alabama’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act and serious threats to public health and safety.
Cullman County Circuit Court Judge Greg Nicholas signed the temporary restraining order, which includes an asset freeze last week Thursday. A preliminary injunction hearing is set for Thursday.
According to the complaint, Aurora IV and Wellness advertised popular weight loss drugs—tirzepatide and semaglutide, both GLP-1 medications, as “pharmaceutical-grade.”
In reality, the news release said, the defendants were allegedly injecting patients with research-grade versions of those drugs that are not approved for human use. The drug’s manufacturer explicitly states that they are sold for laboratory research purposes only and should not be used by humans or animals.
“President Trump took decisive action to make GLP-1 weight-loss medications affordable and accessible to all Americans, ensuring that when prescribed responsibly and administered appropriately, these drugs can be an invaluable resource,” said Marshall. “By contrast, exploiting that demand by misrepresenting unapproved, research-only chemicals as legitimate medicine is one of the most dangerous forms of consumer deception imaginable.
“Patients who relied on this clinic were unknowingly injected with substances labeled strictly for research use, materials federal regulators have explicitly warned are risky for human use. This kind of reckless disregard for patient safety will not be tolerated in Alabama.”
The temporary restraining order stops the defendants from operating while the court reviews the matter. Marshall seeks to permanently bar the individual defendants from working in Alabama’s healthcare industry, dissolve the company, impose civil penalties, and obtain restitution for affected consumers, the news release said.
The attorney general’s complaint alleges the defendants’ conduct began as early as May 2025. To identify affected consumers, the attorney general has set up an online survey for patients who have received tirzepatide and semaglutide from the defendants since that time to report their claims.
The survey can be found on the attorney general’s website, https://www.alabamaag.gov/
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