Bristol pharmacist warns against 'experimenting' with weight loss injections
Pharmacists are urging patients to avoid internet trends and seek professional advice
A Bristol pharmacist is urging people using weight loss injections not to 'experiment' with where and how they inject the medicine.
Peter Thnoia, Superintendent Pharmacist at NHS-registered pharmacy PillTime, warns that claims online about switching injection sites to improve effectiveness are unfounded and risky.
A recent online post claimed that changing injection sites resulted in "instant differences" in appetite suppression, highlighting an emerging trend of users 'experimenting' with their dosage and injection techniques.
As online forums and social media posts spark debates about how injection sites might impact weight loss, Peter advises users to avoid following advice from unqualified sources.
“While some patients have reported changes after switching sites, there’s currently no evidence to show that injecting in one area makes weight loss medications more effective than another when they are used correctly," he said.
"These medications are absorbed systemically, and day-to-day differences in appetite or side effects are far more likely to be influenced by other factors, such as dose progression, diet, or how long someone has been on treatment.”
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has also raised concerns about people accessing weight loss medicines illegally, such as through social media or unregulated sources.
The regulator warns that obtaining injections outside of legitimate pharmacies or healthcare professionals exposes users to serious health risks and breaches UK law.
Andy Morling, MHRA Deputy Director of Criminal Enforcement, said:
“We see people offering weight loss medicines for sale as a quick fix, without a healthcare professional’s prescription, from beauty salons, websites, and on social media. These are not cosmetic treatments; they are powerful medicines that can only be legally and safely dispensed against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.”
The MHRA advises the public to consult healthcare professionals for advice on weight loss medicines and urges caution when reading advice or recommendations online.