French health authorities have launched a warning on the improper use of Ozempic, a diabetes medicine, which in social networks some celebrities are promoting as a slimming.
In a statement, the National Medication Security Agency (ANSM) and Social Security underline that Ozempic "should be prescribed only for insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes", according to the authorization given to it for commercialization since April of April2019. The reason is that its use to lose weight affects availability for patients with diabetes and "can cause or accentuate tensions in supply by depriving them of this essential treatment."
"undesirable effects"
In addition, ANSM and Social Security warn that "this medicine can lead to potentially serious undesirable effects, such as grasrointestinal problems, pancreatitis or hypoglycemia."
According to the elements that have compiled, between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022 there were 215,000 patients who prescribed Ozempic, of which 2,185 were not diabetics.
That means 1 % of improper uses.That is why the health authorities consider "limited", but still they will continue to evaluate whether complementary measures are needed, beyond the current warnings to the public, doctors and pharmacists, which are asked to declare suspicious recipes,that do not administer the medication and get in touch with the optional that signs them.