The Ministry of Health has raised an alarm regarding the rising abuse of Semaglutide, widely known as Ozempic, warning Kenyans against abusing the diabetes drug for weight reduction without medical approval.
Through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), Chief Executive Officer Fred Siyoi on Tuesday, August 19, reminded the public that the drug is only approved for the treatment of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes in adults
“Semaglutide, commonly known to the public as Ozempic and other generic names, is approved strictly for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus that is insufficiently controlled,” Siyoi said in a statement.
He chronicled growing worries about using it for weight loss, a trend fueled in part by international media frenzy and domestic celebrity endorsement. “While the benefits of Semaglutide outweigh the drawbacks, there continue to be serious safety concerns raised, particularly when used outside of approved medical indications,” he said.
The board warned that off-label use of the drug without monitoring would expose patients to serious health complications.
Side effects noted include life-threateningly low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), eye problems, acid reflux, and bowel blockage.
Licensed medical professionals are the only ones who can prescribe Semaglutide. The PPB urged the public to avoid self-medication and report any side effects or poor-quality products through official reporting channels.
“The Board wishes to bring to the attention of the public that Semaglutide is a Prescription-Only Medicine and its unsupervised or off-label use may result in serious health outcomes,” the regulator stressed.
The caution comes amid a surge in demand for the drug worldwide, with users praising it for helping with quick weight loss and for additional benefits such as heart and kidney protection. In Kenya, some celebrities have openly promoted their use of Ozempic as a “shortcut” to shedding weight.
But health experts insist caution is critical. Dr. Kenneth Blum, a professor at Western University Health Sciences and Ariel University, warned that overuse of such drugs could trigger severe side effects, including mood disorders and mental health risks.
“This study should not be ignored, despite the hype surrounding the positive clinical outcomes of GLP1 receptor agonists. We urge the clinical prescribing community to proceed with caution to avoid another tragic wave of ‘people dying to lose weight,’” Blum said.
