The Ministry of Health, through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, has cautioned the public against the off-label use of Semaglutide, commonly known as Ozempic, for weight loss.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 19, PPB Chief Executive Officer Fred Siyoi warned that the drug is strictly approved for the treatment of adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Acknowledging the increasing popularity of the medication in the country for weight loss, the board cautioned that the use of the drug without the proper medical supervision or prescription might, in turn, result in serious health risks.
Some common side effects of the drug include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), eye conditions, acid (gastro-oesophageal) reflux disease, and intestinal obstruction, which can range from mild to severe, according to PPB.
"Semaglutide, commonly known to the public as Ozempic and other generic names, is approved for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus that is insufficiently controlled," PPB stated.
"While the benefits of Semaglutide outweigh its risks, serious safety concerns continue to be raised, particularly when it is used outside its approved medical purposes," it added.
PPB has further noted that only licenced healthcare professionals are authorised to prescribe the drug, and the public should refrain from taking the drug without a medical prescription.
The board has further encouraged individuals to always ensure that they immediately get in touch with PPB, in case any side effects may result from consuming poor-quality medical products.
"The Board wishes to bring to the attention of the public that Semaglutide is a Prescription-Only Medicine and its unsupervised or off-label use may result in serious health outcomes," the board stated.
"In light of the foregoing safety concerns, the public is advised against the off-label use of the medicines and encouraged to report any suspected side effects and poor-quality products through the following official reporting channels of the PPB," it stated.
In the recent past, the drug has garnered praise across the world for its benefits, which include instant weight loss, as well as heart and kidney protection.
In Kenya, celebrities have promoted the drug, flaunting how it has helped them lose weight without the need to turn to other traditional techniques such as going to the gym.
However, according to medical experts, while the benefits of the medicine outweigh its risks, the overuse of these medicines can have severe effects on patients, including leading to extremely low blood sugar, a condition known as hypoglycemia.
According to Dr Kenneth Blum, senior author of the mental health study and a professor at Western University Health Sciences and Ariel University, the overuse of these drugs can, in turn, also cause mental health risks and mood disorders.
“This study should not be ignored, despite the hype surrounding the positive clinical outcomes of GLP1 receptor agonists. We urge the clinical prescribing community to proceed with caution to avoid another tragic wave of ‘people dying to lose weight,” Blum stated.
