
More people are reporting experiencing potentially dangerous side effects after using slimming drugs, the national toxicology instititute NVIC has said.
In 2023, the NVIC received 41 reports of problems associated with the drugs, compared to 75 last year. Most people complained of stomach pains, nausea and vomiting.
Some 29 had used drugs containing the appetite suppressant semaglutide without a prescription, bought via an illegal online pharmacy online or other sources, toxicologist Dylan de Lange said.
Doctors said the affected group is small but could be the tip of the iceberg.
“It’s always risky to buy medication that way. You don’t know what is in them, what the dosage is and if that drug is suitable for your situation,” he said.
Some 120,000 people were prescribed slimming drugs in 2024, marketed under the brand names Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy.
High doses of the medication can be dangerous and cause dehydration. Frequent vomiting can cause vitamin deficiencies and muscle loss.
Family doctor Floris Hirsch said patients frequently ask him for a prescription. “Some of them are already using it without any guidance and that puts me on the spot. Do I prescribe the medication to make sure they are getting the right drug? Or do we explore other ways of losing weight? It’s a difficult one,” he said.
A recent survey showed that a majority of people would welcome the inclusion of slimming drugs in the national health insurance package, provided patients committed to a healthier lifestyle.
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