UK regulator tells doctors to watch out for obesity injection misuse

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.

When appropriately used, in line with the product licence, the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks for patients, says the regulator.

But 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.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said all medicines carry a risk of potential side-effects: “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 most common side-effects include feeling sick, vomiting, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.