It’s disappointing but no longer surprising that once again medical weight loss injections are being misused, so much so that the UK’s drug safety regulator is asking doctors to be alert for patients who may be misusing obesity injections, such as Wegovy.
It follows reports of some people who are not obese becoming sick, after using the jabs for weight loss.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) stresses that the drugs are only meant for treating obesity and diabetes.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has backed the call, saying the drugs are “serious medicines” and not “for people to get a body beautiful picture for Instagram”.
While most side-effects are mild, some can be serious, says the MHRA.
It adds that the drugs should only be prescribed by a registered healthcare professional.
Bodyline’s team of practitioners and nurse prescribers are trained and experienced in providing bespoke medical wellness treatments, but we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our patients above all else. Our status as Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulated ensures the safe running of our services and offers security for all our patients when they are a part of our care.
This article aims to voice in-depth the dangers of unregulated online pharmacies and sellers when it comes to weight loss injections, with our experts at Bodyline explaining the health risks involved to patients when they are not using the medications as prescribed.
How do weight loss injections work?
Mounjaro is a medical weight loss injectable therapy that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, while WeGovy contains semaglutide.
Tirzepatide mimics the effects of two hormones that are naturally produced in the body, these are glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP) and glucagon-like-peptides 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
Semaglutide just mimics GLP-1 receptor agonists but works in a similar way. Both GLP-1s and GIPs are released in the gut and help to control appetite, blood sugar, and insulin. When used alongside diet and exercise, the once weekly injections are designed to assist individuals in maintaining a calorie deficit over a long period of time, and boost healthy, life changing habits.
Dr Morgan Toerien Clinical Director at Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics is a weight, health, and wellness practitioner at Bodyline and explains how weight loss injections like WeGovy and Mounjaro work:
“[GLP-1s and GIPs] purpose is to regulate appetite and signal to our brains the feeling of being full. When people are struggling with maintaining their weight, one of two things is often happening. Either they’re not making enough of these hormones, or their body is resistant to them. That means they might need a higher number of the hormones to get the same effect because what their body is producing is not enough.
What researchers have found is that it might be that they’re lacking GIPs. By combining the two hormones, we can treat a broader base of deficiencies. We’re not just working on one pathway but working on two pathways.”
Mounjaro has shown incredible results in clinical trials, with one study showing an average weight loss of up to 21% of their starting weight for users over a 72-week period.
Who can use weight loss injections?
Regulators and governmental bodies decide who is allowed to be prescribed medications based on stringent peer-reviewed medical guidance and expert advice. This is to ensure the safety and health of all those who use any medication.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) say that WeGovy and Mounjaro injections are only eligible to those with an initial body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m2, or a BMI of 27 with at least one weight related comorbidity such as heart disease or high blood pressure.
However, on the NHS they follow guidance from NICE, who advise that the medication is prescribed only if the patient has a BMI of at least 35 and at least one weight-related comorbidity. Patients who may choose to use the NHS are only eligible for this prescription if they are morbidly obese.
Can you use weight loss injections without being obese?
You cannot and should not attempt to use weight loss injections when you are not obese therefore not eligible.
The dangers of using medications when you are not eligible for them can be severe, dangerous, and potentially fatal – no matter which medication it is.
In the case of Mounjaro or WeGovy, we are already seeing an increase in hospitalisations from those who are using the medications without being eligible and misusing them for short term weight loss as opposed to within a fully supported medical weight loss programme.
Real life dangers of online pharmacies and medical weight loss
Faceless online pharmacies prescribe these medications based on a form that can be filled in with false information by anyone without being verified.
One terrifying instance of this is the case of a young girl being rushed to A&E with life-threatening symptoms after using WeGovy despite not being eligible.
One doctor spoke of treating this patient to The Chemist and Druggist, an online publication reporting on medication news, and said the young girl was not at all overweight but had gone online to buy a month’s worth of the medication.
A quote from the article:
‘[The doctor] claimed that the incident is part of a growing pattern, adding that “in the last month or two, every time [they had] done a shift pretty much [they] had some patient who, to a lesser or greater degree, is having a complication from getting these weight loss drugs” – in many cases from an online pharmacy or private beauty clinic.
“Without fail, none of them would fit the criteria at all,” they claimed, adding that another patient had “ended up going to intensive care” after obtaining weight loss drugs and presenting with pancreatitis.’
Intensive care. Pancreatitis. Complications. All real-life consequences of the alarmingly growing trend of weight loss drug misuse.
Why support and supervision are vital for health and proper use
Speaking to medical professionals who can provide accurate advice and guidance on eligibility before offering a prescription is absolutely vital for patient safety, however continued supervision and monitoring of the medication’s effects is just as important.
At Bodyline, we only provide medications to those who are eligible when they sign up to a fully supported medical weight loss programme that includes regular check-ups, weigh ins, and support calls.
We offer personalised solutions to help our clients achieve their weight loss goals. Our team are experts in weight management and provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the weight loss journey.
Don’t just take our word for it. Our trustpilot reviews show a breadth of happy clients who have used our services safely and effectively. Our 17 years of experience in the obesity treatment sector mean you can trust us to provide gold standard weight loss therapy treatments.
Bodyline’s weight loss programmes provide comprehensive support, tailored treatment plans, and ongoing guidance to help individuals on their weight health journey.
Remember, prioritising weight health is an investment in your overall well-being and quality of life. If you’re ready to take control of your weight loss goals, contact Bodyline today at 0800 995 6036 or fill in an online contact form for a call back to learn more about our personalised weight loss programmes.
