The patients’ weight increased due to less physical activity. Photo: Pictorial
On TikTok and other social networks, users talk about semaglutide as a miracle treatment for weight loss, however, the National Health Surveillance Directorate (Dinvisa) has warned citizens that it is not approved for that purpose.
Given the knowledge that semaglutide Being advertised as a weight loss treatment dynavisa issued a warning through its social networks.
Given the knowledge that semaglutide is being advertised as a weight loss treatment, #DINAVISAPY warns; That this sign is not accepted. pic.twitter.com/eILawSUfRh
– National Health Surveillance Directorate (@DINAVISApy) 26 September 2023
In this regard, the Health Department said that This medicine is indicated for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insufficiently controlled to improve glycemic control as a supplement to diet and exercise.
Dinavisa emphasized that Its use in weight loss treatment matches an unapproved indication By the governing body, therefore its use for this purpose is discouraged.
Any adverse reaction to a medicine should be reported to email: pharmacovigilancia@dinavisa.gov.py or to the “Med Safety App” (available for download on iOS and Android).
Side Effects and Risks of Semaglutide
According to the FDA, the safety and effectiveness of the drug is supported by four trials lasting up to 68 weeks. Three of them were randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. The second was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled, characteristics that allow eliminating biases, establishing the reliability of the results and the relationship between the treatment and its effects.
One study included the largest number of participants with an average age of 46 years, who did not have diabetes and weighed about 105 kg, which showed that People who received the 2.4 mg injection dose, approved by the FDA and marketed as Vegovy, lost 12.4% of their body weight.
Studies evaluating the drug not only helped determine the correct dosage, but also showed the drug’s side effects: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, bloating, gas, gastroenteritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease and, in addition, a possible risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
Other warnings provided by the FDA include Inflammation of the pancreas, gall bladder problems, acute kidney injury, damage to the retina of the eye, increased heart rate, and suicidal thoughts or behavior.