In recent years, injectable medications originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity have gained popularity among individuals seeking rapid weight loss. Often referred to as “weight loss pens,” the demand for these drugs is increasing, frequently without medical supervision, raising concerns among health authorities.
Among the most well-known medications are semaglutide, found in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy and tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro. These medications, initially developed to aid in the management of diabetes and obesity, work by mimicking intestinal hormones that regulate appetite and signal insulin response to sugar intake. Understanding how these drugs are being used—and misused—is crucial for public health officials tracking trends in weight management and chronic disease.
Endocrinologist and Professor Eliana Gabas Stuchi Perez explains that the mechanism of action of these substances is directly linked to controlling hunger.
“These medications act on hormonal receptors that increase the feeling of fullness and reduce stomach emptying. This leads to a decreased appetite and reduced food intake throughout the day, while also improving insulin secretion and action depending on glucose levels. They are very effective for controlling metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, and diabetes, as well as preventing their complications,” she said.
However, these medications may not have the same effect on everyone who uses them. “The problem is that many people seek these pens solely for the purpose of losing weight quickly, without clinical evaluation and without controlling the doses. This can lead to an exaggerated reduction in food intake and trigger effects that proceed far beyond weight loss,” Perez added.
INAPPROPRIATE Leverage
Common symptoms observed in patients who misuse the medication include intense fatigue, weakness, persistent nausea, and very rapid weight loss. In some cases, the decrease in appetite becomes so intense that daily caloric intake falls far below what is necessary for the healthy functioning of the body.
Another concern for the medical community is the potential physical complications resulting from rapid weight loss. Quick weight loss, for example, can increase the risk of gallstone formation, which can cause painful inflammation and even develop into pancreatitis, a condition that, in severe cases, requires hospitalization.
Perez also highlights potential implications for the aging population. “If many people lose muscle mass prematurely due to rapid and uncontrolled weight loss, we may have a population more vulnerable to sarcopenia in the future, which is the progressive loss of strength and muscle, leading to accelerated bone loss and, osteoporosis and fractures. This increases the risk of falls, physical limitations, and loss of autonomy, especially in aged age,” she noted.
ILLEGAL PURCHASING
The risk to health is further amplified by the purchase of these pens from clandestine markets or online. “The use of smuggled or unregulated compounded medications is extremely dangerous. There is no guarantee about the composition, dose, or even the origin of the product. In some cases, the concentration of the medication may be much higher than indicated, which increases the risk of complications and adverse effects.”
The specialist emphasizes that healthy weight loss does not happen miraculously. “It involves professional monitoring, lifestyle changes, and responsible use of medications when truly indicated, as well as control of side effects, dose adjustment, and treatment of other comorbidities associated with obesity and weight loss,” she concluded.
