LONDON, July 24 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Withprescription weight loss medicines being advertised illegally on social media alongside quick-fix slimming claims, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), warnsBritstonot let summer slimming put their health at risk.
Fromover-dosing onprescription weight-lossmedsto buying dangerous fakes online,theMHRAreveals 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
Ifyou'vebeen prescribed a GLP-1 weight-loss medicine,don'tbe tempted to fast-track your weight loss by upping your dose. Semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and liraglutide (Saxenda) should only be takenas prescribed byahealthcare professional.
Follow doctors' orders and take your prescribed GLP-1 alongside a healthy diet and a fitness regime.Whetheryou'retaking it for diabetes management or weight loss,maintaininggood nutrition and exercise can help supportmuscle,bone, and overall health as your calorie intake changes.
2. Steer Clear of Fake Weight-Loss Meds
Ifyou'renot eligible for a prescriptionforweight-lossmedicines,don'tbe tempted to buy themfrom 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)of27or more.Buying from rogue sellers is a huge risk. Youcan'tbe surewhat'sin the product, and some fake medicinesarecontaminated with toxic substances.
Don'tbe tempted by the online hype aroundretatrutide. It hasnotbeen authorised for use in the UK, meaning anyone selling this product is doing so illegally. These productshaven'tbeen tested for safety, quality or effectiveness andthere'sno guarantee that they evencontainretatrutide.You couldbeputtingyour healthat 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 notcontainthe GLP-1 medicine you thinkyou'rebuying and could be contaminated with bacteriaandother harmful substances.
"Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true andcheckthe pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.The simpleruleforstayingsafeis thatifyou'reoffereda GLP-1medicines withouttheneed fora prescription- walk away."
3. Check Your Meds Before Changing Your Diet
Trying to eatmore healthilybefore your holiday? Great-butmakesure your dietdoesn'tclash with your medication. Always read the patient information leaflet before making dietary changes, as some foodscould compromise medicines' effectiveness.People takingsimvastatinto lower their cholesterol should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as theyslow 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 effectivelyand lower your risk of side effects. Metformin, used to treat diabetes, and the painkiller naproxen should both be taken with or after food to helppreventstomachupset.
MHRA's Chief Safety Officer, Alison Cave said:
"There's no shortcut to safe weight loss. Ifyou'retrying to slim down, follow medical advice, avoid fakemedicinesand remember that healthy eating and regular exercise are still the safest waysto get in shape for summer."
Notes to editors:
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
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For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
