Almost 50 people have been hospitalised after using GLP-1 receptor agonists to lose weight in the UK, the MHRA has reported as it urged pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to advise patients of side effects and report the misuse of these products. 

In a drug safety update published today (October 24), the MHRA said that as of August 16 this year it had received 5,073 reports of “common gastrointestinal reactions” associated with using the products for weight loss, out of which 46 had been hospitalised. 

The medicines safety watchdog said it had also received Yellow Card reports of severe dehydration following gastrointestinal drug reactions, “including for individuals who may not meet the prescribing criteria and may have used these medicines inappropriately for weight loss” but added that it is “difficult to confirm the inappropriate use or misuse” of drugs from the data received. 

“Public interest in the use of GLP-1RA products for weight loss is high,” said the MHRA, commenting that while these prescription-only medicines are “effective and acceptably safe when used within their licensed indications” there are nonetheless “risks associated with their use”.

The MHRA urged patients obtaining private prescriptions to ensure the product is “dispensed from an authorised source” such as a registered pharmacy “to avoid the risk of receiving a falsified pen”. 

Some falsified products have been identified as containing insulin, it said, which may cause severe hypoglycaemia and require “urgent medical attention”. 

MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: “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 balance of benefits and risks outside the licensed indication has not been shown to be favourable. Please report cases of misuse especially if harm occurs”

Health secretary Wes Streeting said: “Weight loss drugs have enormous potential. When taken alongside healthy diet and exercise, they can be game changers in tackling obesity and getting people back to good health. 

“But these are not cosmetic drugs that should be taken to help get a body beautiful picture for Instagram. These are serious medicines and should only be used responsibly and under medical supervision.

“They’re not a quick fix to lose a few pounds and buying them online without appropriate assessment can put people’s health at risk.

“Drugs approved for weight management should only be used by those tackling obesity, where diet and exercise has been tried first, and where patients are eligible.”