Costa Rica Health Ministry warns against illegal peptide weight‑loss drugs

Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health issued a nationwide health alert after identifying a surge in the illegal online sale of injectable peptide drugs used for weight loss and diabetes treatment. The warning highlights products containing tirzepatide, semaglutide, liraglutide and other emerging peptides that are being offered through social‑media platforms and messaging apps without any sanitary registration or medical supervision.

The ministry stresses that these unregulated substances pose serious risks such as severe adverse reactions, microbial or chemical contamination, and exposure to counterfeit or adulterated ingredients. It also notes that improper storage, often at ambient temperature, can degrade the molecules and increase toxicity. Only three injectable medicines are currently authorized in Costa Rica—Ozempic (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide) and Mounjaro KwikPen (tirzepatide)—and all must be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by licensed pharmacies.