Marshall Reaches Settlement with Cullman Clinic Accused of Using Dangerous, Unapproved Weight‑Loss Drugs

Montgomery, Ala. - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Monday that the state has reached a settlement with Aurora IV and Wellness, a Cullman IV infusion clinic accused of administering unapproved and potentially dangerous weight‑loss drugs to unsuspecting patients.

The agreement permanently shuts down the clinic, bars its owners - Amanda and Chris Medders - from working in any healthcare role involving direct patient treatment, and requires more than $24,000 in combined restitution, penalties, and fees. As part of the settlement, Amanda Medders also surrendered her nursing license to the Alabama Board of Nursing.

The Attorney General said the case represents one of the most serious violations of Alabama's consumer‑protection laws in recent years, particularly given the national demand for GLP‑1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Marshall: "Reckless deception" put patients at risk

In announcing the settlement, Marshall sharply criticized the clinic's conduct, saying the owners knowingly misled patients about the safety and legitimacy of the drugs they were administering.

"Exploiting the need for medical GLP‑1 weight‑loss medication by using unapproved, research‑grade chemicals on unsuspecting patients is an extremely reckless form of consumer deception," Marshall said. "This type of dangerous disregard for patient safety will not be tolerated in Alabama."

Marshall emphasized that the case was not a simple regulatory violation but a direct threat to public health.

Investigation found clinic used research‑grade chemicals not approved for human use

The Attorney General's Office launched its investigation after receiving consumer complaints about the clinic's weight‑loss injections. According to the state's findings, Aurora IV and Wellness advertised its products as "pharmaceutical‑grade" versions of tirzepatide and semaglutide - the active ingredients in popular medications like Mounjaro and Ozempic.

In reality, investigators discovered the clinic was administering research‑grade chemicals that were not approved for human use. The manufacturer of the substances explicitly labeled them "for laboratory research purposes only."

The state filed suit in November, alleging violations of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act and securing a temporary restraining order to halt the clinic's operations immediately. Marshall said the swift action was necessary to prevent further harm.

Settlement provides restitution and permanently closes the clinic

Under the terms of the settlement:

- The Medderses must pay $17,267.50 in restitution to affected consumers