With prescription weight loss medicines being advertised
illegally on social media alongside quick-fix slimming claims,
the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA),
warns Brits to not let summer slimming put their
health at risk.
From over-dosing on prescription
weight-loss meds to buying dangerous fakes
online, the MHRA reveals the mistakes that could
leave you seriously ill, and the simple steps to lose weight
safely.
1. Follow doctor's orders if you are prescribed a
GLP-1
If you've been prescribed a GLP-1 weight-loss
medicine, don't be tempted to fast-track your weight
loss by upping your dose. Semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide
(Mounjaro) and liraglutide (Saxenda) should only be taken as
prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Follow doctors' orders and take your prescribed GLP-1 alongside a
healthy diet and a fitness
regime. Whether you're taking it for diabetes
management or weight loss, maintaining good nutrition
and exercise can help support muscle, bone, and overall
health as your calorie intake changes.
2. Steer Clear of Fake Weight-Loss Meds
If you're not eligible for a
prescription for weight-loss medicines, don't be
tempted to buy them from unregulated websites or social
media sellers. GLP-1 medicines authorised in the UK have only
been shown to be safe and effective for people with a Body Mass
Index (BMI) of 27 or more. Buying from rogue
sellers is a huge risk. You can't be
sure what's in the product, and some fake
medicines are contaminated with toxic substances.
Don't be tempted by the online hype around retatrutide.
It has not been authorised for use in the UK, meaning
anyone selling this product is doing so illegally. These
products haven't been tested for safety, quality or
effectiveness and there's no guarantee that they
even contain retatrutide. You
could be putting your health at serious
risk.
Head of the MHRA's Criminal Enforcement Unit, Andy
Morling, said:
Rogue sellers are driven by profit, not your safety, and the fake
medicines they sell could put your health at serious risk. These
products may not contain the GLP-1 medicine you
think you're buying and could be contaminated with
bacteria and other harmful substances.
Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true
and check the pharmacy is registered with the General
Pharmaceutical Council. The
simple rule for staying safe is
that if you're offered a GLP-1 medicines
without the need for a prescription walk
away.
3. Check Your Meds Before Changing Your
Diet
Trying to eat more healthily before your holiday?
Great - but make sure your
diet doesn't clash with your medication. Always read
the patient information leaflet before making dietary changes, as
some foods could compromise medicines'
effectiveness. People taking simvastatin to lower
their cholesterol should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as
they slow the rate the body breaks down the medicine,
increasing the risk of serious side effects.
Thinking about intermittent fasting? Remember that some medicines
need to be taken with food to work most effectively and
lower your risk of side effects. Metformin, used to treat
diabetes, and the painkiller naproxen should both be taken with
or after food to
help prevent stomach upset.
MHRA's Chief Safety Officer, Alison Cave
said:
There's no shortcut to safe weight loss.
If you're trying to slim down, follow medical advice,
avoid fake medicines and remember that healthy eating
and regular exercise are still the safest ways to get in
shape for summer.
