Doctors are raising the alarm over a growing trend of using diabetes medications for cosmetic weight loss without medical supervision, reports infohub.kz.
An editorial in the journal Diabetology International has highlighted the dangers of inappropriate use of drugs based on GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists, such as tirzepatide and semaglutide. These medications have revolutionized the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, but their increasing popularity for rapid cosmetic weight loss is causing serious concern in the scientific community.
The authors emphasize that using these drugs without medical indications and physician oversight leads to dangerous consequences. In Japan, cases have been reported of young women without diabetes or obesity being hospitalized with severe ketosis and ketoacidosis after self-administering tirzepatide. Uncontrolled appetite suppression combined with severe carbohydrate restriction in the diet triggers metabolic disturbances.
Experts insist that the public debate should shift from simply banning off-label use of these drugs to promoting the concept of sensible and safe weight loss. Weight loss should be based on a balanced diet, reasonable target goals, and regular medical monitoring to prevent nutrient deficiencies and underweight.