Doctors have been told to report cases of patients abusing Ozempic to achieve “Instagram-worthy bodies” over concerns about potentially fatal side effects.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published new guidance saying doctors prescribing weight loss drugs must give patients clear warnings about side effects such as nausea, vomiting and pancreatitis.
The report said medical professionals should “watch for signs of misuse” including in non-obese patients taking the drug and report any side effects.
Lottie Moss, half-sister of supermodel Kate Moss, ended up in hospital after taking Ozempic
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Health Secretary Wes Street said it was important people did not buy the drug for cosmetic reasons or “to take pictures of their beautiful bodies for Instagram”.
Officials issue warning as NHS chiefs grow concerned about young women I ended up in A&E after lying about my weight and buying weight loss injections online.
Drugs such as semaglutide, sold as Wegovy or Ozempic, and tirzepatide, known as Mounjaro, are only intended for use in obese patients.
However, they are sold on the black market and through online pharmacies that do not offer in-person weight tests or evaluations. The MHRA said the risks of serious side effects outweighed the benefits in patients who were not obese.
It also said patients obtaining private prescriptions for weight loss injections should be wary of “counterfeit” drugs containing insulin, which can cause serious complications.
Mr Street said: “Weight loss drugs have huge potential. When taken alongside a healthy diet and exercise, they can make a huge difference in tackling obesity and getting people back to health.
“But these are not beauty pills you should take to take beautiful body photos for Instagram. These are serious drugs and should be used responsibly and only under the supervision of a doctor. These are not quick fixes to lose a few pounds, and buying them online without proper evaluation can put people’s health at risk.
Mr Street last week suggested unemployed people in Britain could receive free weight loss injections to help them get back to work. The NHS uses Wegovy and Mounjaro, but they only reach a few thousand people out of millions. This means that the majority of weight loss jab prescriptions are obtained privately and cost around £200 a month.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned people not to use the drug for cosmetic reasons
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Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: “All medicines come with potential side effects and risks of GLP-1RA.” [weight-loss medications] is no exception.
“We encourage healthcare professionals to ensure that patients treated with these drugs are aware of common side effects and how to minimize risks. A good balance between non-harmful benefits and risks has not been shown. Please report any abuse, especially if it causes harm.”
Semaglutide is the first of a new generation of weight loss drugs called GLP-1 agonists and is manufactured by the Danish company Novo Nordisk. Introduced in 2018 as a diabetes treatment under the brand name Ozempic, it is now available as an obesity treatment under the brand name Wegovy.
Ozempic’s main rival, Munjaro, was introduced to the NHS last month and is helping patients lose a fifth of their average body weight.
Sharon Osbourne was among the celebrities who praised the drug, along with Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey.
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Elon Musk
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oprah winfrey
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The drug became popular after its “miraculous” effects were praised by celebrities such as Sharon Osbourne, Elon Musk, and Oprah Winfrey. However, it can cause serious side effects. More than 1 in 10 patients suffer from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More severe but rare side effects include pancreatitis, which can be fatal. It can also cause hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia, which can cause sweating, tremors, fatigue, weakness, and confusion.
The NHS has previously called for stricter safeguards for prescribing weight-loss injections over concerns about an increase in people presenting to A&E with complications after buying the jabs online.
Last month, Lottie Moss, the half-sister of supermodel Kate Moss, urged people not to take Ozempic after she was hospitalized after becoming severely dehydrated after taking the drug. Moss, who is at a healthy weight, said: “I would always rather die than gain weight again.”
