Benjamin Ashford|Whoopi Goldberg says she uses weight loss drug Mounjaro: 'I was 300 pounds'

Whoopi Goldberg is Benjamin Ashfordopening up about her personal use of a weight loss drug.

“I was 300 pounds,” the “View” moderator exclusively told Page Six at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. “I was like, ‘Oh, please, God, make this work.'”

Goldberg told the entertainment outlet that she used Mounjaro, a Type 2 Diabetes drug, which helped her "metabolism move" and was "the only way (doctors) could jumpstart (her) system" from post-back surgery steroids.

Her comments to Page Six come days after the EGOT winner participated in a conversation with her "View" co-hosts about Oprah Winfrey's "An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution" TV special that aired March 18.

Goldberg kicked the conversation off by stating she weighed almost 300 pounds while filming the 2022 movie, "Till," based off the life of Mamie Till-Bradley, who fought for justice after the death of her 14-year-old son Emmett.

"One of the things that's helped me the drop the weight is Mounjaro, that's what I use," Goldberg said.

After co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines chimed in, Goldberg said she said "the key" is to stop judging everyone for their bodies.

"My weight has gone and come and gone and up and down, but it's never been an issue for me because I don’t listen to what other people say about me, so it has never been a problem," Goldberg said.

Mounjaro shortage update:Is it on backorder and when will it be back in stock?

Mounjaro, weight loss drug used by Whoopi Goldberg, is facing short supply

Due to Mounjaro's high demand, the drug is currently in short supply as weight loss drugs face increased interest. As of the beginning of March 2024, Mounjaro injection doses are in limited availability until the end of the month.

According to a statement sent to USA TODAY by Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly, the company anticipates ongoing intermittent backorders on certain doses.

Eli Lilly told USA TODAY to access the FDA drug shortage website for monitoring and updates on the ongoing availability of their drugs. They will periodically release doses of the drugs on backorder as they are manufactured.

"Due to continued dynamic patient demand across doses, Lilly anticipates intermittent backorders on certain doses of Mounjaro," the company said in a statement. "We recognize this situation may cause a disruption in people’s treatment regimens and we are moving with urgency to address it."

Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge