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DIY Weight Loss Injections: A Deadly Gamble?
14 Mar
Summary
- Unlicensed weight loss drugs bought online carry severe risks.
- Social media 'skinny jabs' are often unregulated and dangerous.
- Medical professionals urge caution and legitimate sourcing for medications.
Individuals are increasingly turning to social media platforms for cheaper weight loss solutions, but this trend carries severe health risks. Keeley, a 39-year-old from South London, purchased an unregulated "skinny jab" for £35 a week via Facebook, described as a homemade product sent in the post. She experienced headaches and stomach aches within her first week of use in February 2023.
Jimmy Stone, 34, from Windsor, used weight loss injections he bought on TikTok for two months in late 2025, believing it to be Retatrutide, a drug still in clinical trials and not licensed for global use. He noted significant heartburn and a burning sensation on his stomach.
Dr. Kasim Usmani, a private GP, warns that unregulated weight loss drugs can be out of date, improperly stored, or contain unknown substances, leading to potentially fatal side effects. He stresses the importance of obtaining these prescription-only medications solely from licensed sources like pharmacies or GPs.
The UK's MHRA confirms that Retatrutide is not approved for UK use and any products claiming to contain it outside clinical trials are likely illegal and dangerous. Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly emphasize that their trial drugs are not for sale, and counterfeit medicines are untested and potentially deadly.
