Turkey and Greece warn against misuse of obesity injection drugs

Medical experts in Turkey and Greece caution that weight‑loss injections are prescription medicines intended for treating obesity, not for short‑term cosmetic slimming. In Düzce, Turkey, internal‑medicine specialist Derya Coşkuner Sebit emphasized that the drugs require proper laboratory tests and physician oversight, warning of gastrointestinal side‑effects, gallbladder problems, nausea, vomiting and the risk of pancreatitis if used without supervision. Greek pathologist Anastasia Efthychidou echoed the warning, noting that the injections are designed for patients with a high body‑mass index and related comorbidities, and that unsupervised use can cause rapid loss of muscle instead of fat, leading to weight‑regain and health complications. Both experts stressed that the popularity of these drugs on social media has made them easily obtainable without a prescription, increasing the danger of inappropriate use. They advised that any treatment must be combined with a balanced diet, regular exercise and regular medical monitoring to manage dosage and mitigate side effects.