# Medication consumption and adverse reactions in Portugal

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/medication-consumption-and-adverse-reactions-in-portugal
> Updated: 2026-10-15T07:18:39.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Data from the 2025 National Health Survey (INS 2025) indicated that 33.2% of the Portuguese population aged 15 and older consumed non-prescription medications. This usage was most prevalent in the 35 to 44 age group (40.4%) and the Algarve region (38.6%).

By 2026, reports from Infarmed, the national medicines authority, highlighted concerns regarding weight loss and diabetes medications. Specifically, the GLP-1 receptor agonist class saw 695 notifications of suspected adverse reactions between January 2024 and September 2026. Tirzepatide accounted for the majority of these reports, with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss being noted. This rise in notifications follows a massive increase in the distribution of tirzepatide in community pharmacies, which grew from 10,689 packages in 2024 to 434,768 in 2025.

## Claims

- Infarmed reports that the rate of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) has remained relatively stable over the years. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A total of 695 notifications regarding four GLP-1 receptor agonist substances were recorded between January 1, 2024, and September 21, 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Reported adverse reactions include vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Tirzepatide, the active substance in Mounjaro, accounts for the majority of the notifications. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The number of tirzepatide packages in Portuguese community pharmacies rose from 10,689 in 2024 to 434,768 in 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Semaglutide usage also showed high volumes, with 626,142 packages recorded in 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-15: Infarmed reports daily adverse reactions for weight loss drugs in Portugal

Infarmed reports an average of one suspected adverse reaction per day for GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs in Portugal, totaling 695 notifications since early 2024.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/infarmed-reports-daily-adverse-reactions-for-weight-loss-drugs-in-portugal

### 2026-09-15: Portugal reports high non-prescription medication use

Data from Portugal's 2025 National Health Survey shows 33.2% of residents aged 15+ used non-prescription drugs, with the highest rates in the Algarve and among younger age groups.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-reports-high-non-prescription-medication-use

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Cite as: Medication consumption and adverse reactions in Portugal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/medication-consumption-and-adverse-reactions-in-portugal