The truth about the miracle weight loss injection pen GLP-1 RA

Quite surprised to learn that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are being sold freely by non-professionals with the purpose of losing weight and "getting back in shape for women", Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Quang Bay, Head of the Department of Endocrinology - Diabetes, Bach Mai Hospital, shared information to help people understand the nature of this type of injection pen.

Medical experts warn against widespread advertising and sale of GLP-1 Semaglutide injection pens (illustrative photo)

According to Associate Professor Quang Bay, GLP-1 RA was initially an injectable drug to treat type 2 diabetes, especially those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, because the drug also has a weight loss effect through mechanisms of increasing satiety, reducing appetite, and slowing gastric emptying, it is now also indicated for the treatment of obesity.

However, obesity treatment is only indicated for people who have not achieved their weight loss goals despite positive lifestyle changes and whose body mass index (BMI) is still above 25 kg/m2. All studies on the weight loss effects of GLP-1 RA drugs were based on active lifestyle interventions. The time to use the drug to achieve the desired weight loss effect usually requires more than 6 months.

Mr. Quang Bay shared information that the drug has good effects (over 20% weight loss) in about 20% of patients, but may also have no effect (only less than 5% weight loss) in 10-15% of patients. New generation GLP-1 RA drugs have better weight loss effects. After stopping the drug, about half to 2/3 of patients will gain weight again if they do not maintain a good diet and exercise regimen.

This is an injectable drug (also available in oral form but less commonly), injected subcutaneously daily, with gradually increasing doses because the drug has common side effects of vomiting and nausea. It can also cause gallstones. GLP-1 RA is contraindicated in people with medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia.

Mr. Bay said that currently in Vietnam, there is only one GLP-1 RA drug that is allowed to circulate, which is Liraglutide (Saxenda). The types sold online such as Semaglutide are not allowed to circulate (exactly waiting for a license). The law stipulates that only doctors are allowed to prescribe and prescribe this type of drug.

"Currently, due to the high demand for this medicine worldwide , there are many fake and poor quality products. Both the US FDA and the World Health Organization have warned about this," Mr. Bay added.

As reported by Giao Thong Newspaper, currently on some personal Facebook pages, as well as websites selling hand-carried goods, this type of injection pen is still being widely sold, and more dangerously, the advertisement "helps burn belly fat, regain shape quickly and all women can use it". The price of the injection pen is sold from 3.8 million VND - 4/3 million VND/1 pen.

In 2021, the FDA approved the injectable diabetes drug Semaglutide for the treatment of overweight, opening up an effective treatment option for overweight patients with a BMI over 27.

However, this drug is not yet approved for use in Vietnam.

Currently, some countries such as Canada, Australia, and some countries in Asia... have warned about the quality of drugs floating on the market.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/su-that-ve-but-tiem-giam-can-than-duoc-glp-1-ra-192241112144924773.htm