Using Ozempic to prepare the body for the beach risks dangerous complications, warns NHS doctor

People should not use slimming drugs to lose weight in a bid to get beach-ready for the summer, a leading NHS doctor has urged.

Anti-obesity drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, should only be prescribed to people with severe obesity, type 2 diabetes or health problems due to their weight, experts say – with doctors recommending them only to people with a BMI above a certain level. rate.

Professor Steve Powis, national medical director of NHS England, has warned of “dangerous” complications the drugs can cause if “abused”.

He said: “We know these new drugs will be a powerful part of our arsenal to fight obesity, but they must not be overused. Buying medicines online without a doctor’s supervision can lead to complications and dangerous consequences.

“Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy should only be used by people who are prescribed them for obesity or diabetes. I worry about reports that people are overusing them – they are not intended to be a quick fix for people trying to get beach ready.

Le’Nise Brothers, a women’s health activist and nutritionist, said The independent she worries that women are abusing weight-loss drugs.

She warned that a massive increase in content on TikTok pushing for calorie restriction and quick methods of losing weight and fat is leading many women to be “incredibly focused on their appearance and looking for quick fixes for their summer holidays.” ‘summer “.

“And that’s why they resort to these diet pills,” she said. “It feels like the thinness of the ’80s and ’90s has been repackaged for today’s social media era.”

She added that it was not her place to say whether those taking weight-loss drugs suffered from an eating disorder, but that they might suffer from body dysmorphia.

Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy should only be used by people who have been prescribed them for obesity or diabetes. I’m concerned about reports that people are overusing them – they’re not intended to be a quick fix for people trying to get beach ready.

Professor Steve Powis

She added: “I don’t want to put it all on the effects of social media, but if you think about how you can manipulate your appearance through filters and face apps, it means there can be a discrepancy between how they look in person and what they look like. how they look on social media, and they may be looking for a quick fix.

She warned that young women are particularly susceptible to pressures related to their body image, as they are still developing their self-esteem. Ms Brothers urged women and girls to find ways to accept their bodies as they are or opt for healthy and sustainable ways to lose weight.

There may be a disconnect between how they look in person and how they look on social media and they may be looking for a quick fix.

Le’Nise Brothers

His comments come as an accident and the emergency doctor warned that young women were being rushed to emergency rooms due to life-threatening complications after obtaining weight-loss drugs from online pharmacies or beauty clinics.

A doctor, who asked to remain anonymous, said Chemist and druggist media about an incident in which a young girl took a weight loss medication from an online pharmacy and was rushed to the emergency room after experiencing life-threatening complications.

She arrived at the emergency room “feeling unwell, like she was going to pass out and couldn’t get up” and was “really having trouble eating,” the doctor said.

The girl was not overweight and had obtained Wegovy from Boots Online Doctor, the doctor said, adding that she was suffering from “starvation ketoacidosis” and therefore required “urgent treatment” and advice on ” potential side effects, including death.

Another patient had to be admitted to intensive care after receiving weight-loss drugs and suffering from pancreatitis, the doctor added.

“Over the past couple of months, every time they’ve made a change, they’ve had a patient who, to a greater or lesser degree, has a complication from taking these weight-loss drugs,” they said. .

A Boots spokesperson said: “The Boots Online Doctor weight loss service is aimed at patients aged 18 and over who are concerned that their weight is impacting their health and would like to access prescription treatment for help lose weight.

“Patients must complete an online consultation, which is reviewed by a Boots Online Doctor clinician to determine whether treatment is appropriate. We have a number of safeguards in place to ensure that Boots Online Doctor prescribes weight loss medications when clinically appropriate and in accordance with the product license.

The spokesperson said patients must submit a photo and identification, as well as answer questions about their medical and psychological history.

“Patients only receive a prescription if they provide contact details for their GP,” they said.

“Boots Online Doctor informs each patient’s GP of the prescription as an added security measure and can contact the patient’s GP if necessary. All patients receive follow-up care and support from Boots Online Doctor clinicians via the platform’s messaging function and clinicians can also call patients if necessary.