Brazil sees surge in GLP‑1 weight‑loss drug use and related health concerns

European obesity experts issued new guidelines warning that rapid weight loss from GLP‑1‑based injection medicines such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) can cause physical and psychological problems if patients are not monitored by a multidisciplinary team. The consensus, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, stresses adequate protein (at least 60 g per day), fiber (≥25 g), and hydration, and recommends ongoing oversight by doctors, nutritionists, psychologists and physiotherapists.

In Brazil, a 2026 survey by Instituto Locomotiva found that 33 % of households have at least one person using these medications, up from 26 % in 2025. Use spans all income levels, with 39 % of upper‑class households and 30 % of lower‑class households reporting users. About four in ten users obtain the drugs without a prescription, prompting specialists to label the trend a public‑health risk. The study also noted a reduction in consumption of sugary foods, fast food and alcohol among households with users, though price remains a major barrier and 78 % would still recommend the drugs to relatives.