Warning Over Misuse of Weight-Loss Jabs for ‘Insta Body’

Undated image of mounjaro injection. Mohammed_Al_Ali/Shutterstock

The medicines’ watchdog and the health secretary have warned doctors to look out for the misuse of weight-loss jabs by those who are not overweight but looking to slim down to “get a body beautiful picture for Instagram.”

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a statement on Friday following widespread concerns that injectable drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, are being obtained on the black market by those who would not be prescribed them on the NHS because they are a healthy weight.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said: “Weight-loss drugs have enormous potential. When taken alongside healthy diet and exercise, they can be game changers in tackling obesity and getting people back to good health.”

‘Not Cosmetic Drugs’

But Streeting added: “These are not cosmetic drugs that should be taken to help get a body beautiful picture for Instagram. These are serious medicines and should only be used responsibly and under medical supervision. They’re not a quick fix to lose a few pounds and buying them online without appropriate assessment can put people’s health at risk.”

He said the medication should only be taken by those battling obesity, who have previously tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, and who meet the criteria set out in the NHS guidelines.

The once-weekly injections were originally used to treat type-2 diabetes but were repurposed as slimming drugs once it was realised that patients were losing significant amounts of weight while taking them. They work by balancing the blood sugar, which suppresses the appetite because people feel fuller for longer.

Demand for the drugs surged, initially in the United States but then worldwide, after a number of celebities and influencers shared their weight loss success stories online. They are not without side-effects, with the most common ones being gastro-intestinal problems, such as constipation, nausea and diarrhea, as well as fatigue.

Such complications are generally not serious but may occasionally lead to severe dehydration, which can lead to hospitalisation.

‘Risk-Benefit Analysis’

The MHRA said that when used “appropriately” in line with the product licence, the benefits of slimming drugs outweigh the risks for patients, since obesity carries serious health implications.

But the regulator added, “This benefit-risk balance is positive only for those patients within the approved indications for weight management or type 2 diabetes as described in the product information.”

Eating disorders’ charities, including BEAT, have warned about the dangers posed to those suffering from anorexia if they are able to get hold of the slimming jabs. Tom Quinn of BEAT said in a statement when Wegovy was approved for NHS use that such medications “can worsen harmful thoughts and behaviours for those unwell, or contribute to an eating disorder developing for someone who is already vulnerable.”

Wegovy and Mounjaro are both approved for use on the NHS, but only when specific criteria are met. Patients have to be classed as medically obese (BMI of 30 and above) or they may qualify if they have a BMI of between 27 and 30 if they are diagnosed with at least one weight-related health condition, such as cardio-vascular disease.

The drugs, including Ozempic, are also available privately for “off-label” use, but private prescribers are still required to assess patients as having a clinical need for the drugs.

While the criteria of private clinics may be less stringent than that of the NHS, the slimming drugs are not supposed to be sold on demand without a consultation, which should include taking someone’s weight and measurements.

Warning Over ‘Fake’ Jabs

The medication should only be prescribed by a registered healthcare professional, but they are widely advertised on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. The regulator has previously issued warnings on the dangers of buying the slimming drugs from unknown suppliers, as as they could be fake.

Some fake jabs have been found to contain insulin, which could cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) requiring urgent medical attention. Signs include sweating, shaking, a sudden feeling of tiredness or weakness and confusion.

The MHRA said patients obtaining a private prescription from a non-NHS prescriber should ensure this is dispensed from an authorised source, such as a registered pharmacy, to avoid the risk of receiving a fake.

Dr. Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the MHRA said that all medicines carry a risk, and the slimming jabs, known medically as GLP-1RAs, are “no exception.”

“We encourage healthcare professionals to ensure patients being treated with these medicines are aware of the common side effects and how to minimise risk.

“The balance of benefits and risks outside the licensed indication has not been shown to be favourable. Please report cases of misuse especially if harm occurs.”

Streeting was enthusiastic about the potential of the drugs when an NHS trial run in conjunction with Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly was announced earlier this month. The trial will see tens of thousands of unemployed, obese people in the north-west offered the jabs to see if it helps boost their chances of getting a job as well as helping them to slim down.