Weight loss drugs have grown increasingly popular over the past year, with millions of people using the medication to help them manage their weight and be healthier.
With one in eight Americans now using the drugs to help them lose weight, it's no wonder that these medications have become a huge talking point on social media.
From people sharing their body transformations to others simply detailing their experience with the drugs, online platforms are now filled with discussions about these medications, which mimic the hunger-regulating hormone GLP-1.
As this content topic continues to circulate, experts have issued a warning about trusting voices on social media.
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In a study published in PLOS Global Public Health, a number of researchers outlined how weight loss medication is shaping every day life and impacting people.
"Across sites, people routinely adjust dosing schedules, count clicks on injection pens, space out injections, or stop and restart treatment. These strategies are developed in response to cost, shortages, and social media, rather than sound medical advice," the authors of the study warned.
Platforms such as TikTok, Reddit and Instagram are mentioned as the main source of information, with experts warning that while 'emotional support and practical advice' can be taken from online content, it is vital to remember that normalising 'risky practices' is common, as well as circulating misinformation.
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The study also adds: "While these factors can give patients a sense of greater control over their health, they also amplify concerns about limited data on off-label use and unsupervised dosing.
"Greater attention to often chaotic real-world use patterns is essential for accurately assessing drug side effects and safety."
Threads on sites like Reddit see people compare their experiences using GLP-1s and providing advice to those suffering with side effects like nausea.
It's not the first warning issued about weight loss drugs.
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Experts have spoken out about the several risks associated with the medication, as well as what can happen when you decide to stop taking it.
Many users have spoken out about their increased appetite after quitting the medication, leading them to struggle to keep the weight off and, in some cases, return to using it.
Analysis by scientists at Stamford Health found that most people can unfortunately expect to gain back the pounds once they stop using the treatment.
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Their head of research, Suzanne Rose, PhD, said: "On average, they gained about 60 percent of the weight back within a few months to a year – despite those lifestyle modifications."
She warned: "That can be a devastating thing for the patient to deal with."
UNILAD has contacted Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly for comment.
Topics: Health, Ozempic, Weight loss, News
Danni King