Incorrect or contaminated ingredients
Fake medicines aren’t subject to the same regulations and hygiene checks as genuine products. As a result, they may contain unsterile, harmful, or even banned ingredients, which could put your health at risk.
Additionally, a shortage of WLIs due to limited ingredients means there’s a high likelihood that counterfeit products don’t contain a GLP-1, the essential ingredient needed for effective weight loss.
Without knowing the actual contents of these products, using them can be a serious risk to your health.
Dosages may be incorrect
There’s a structured process when starting WLIs. You’ll start on the lowest dose, which increases every week or month until you reach a maintenance dose you’re happy with. But this process isn't always straightforward. In some cases, your clinician might recommend remaining on a lower dose until your side effects become more manageable.
Using fakes means you have no idea what the actual dose is. So you might unknowingly start on a higher dose, which significantly increases your risk of side effects. There’s also a risk of taking too much, which could lead to overdose, very low blood sugar or severe nausea.
DIY syringes and kits
Counterfeit products don’t undergo proper regulation during manufacturing. There’s a chance they’re produced in unhygienic conditions, which could increase your risk of infections and contamination.
Another potential risk is that the needle may not be made properly; for example, it might be less sharp or not made from the appropriate material. This can increase your risk of infection and physical injury.
Another concern is that they may not provide enough needles. Typically, needles are used once and then discarded. Reusing needles can be harmful and may lead to infections, including serious ones like Hepatitis B and C.
No prescription or proper medical assessment
Using WLIs without the supervision of a clinician can be dangerous. Typically, you’ll be asked to provide some information, including:
- Your BMI
- Your weight
- Any existing medical conditions
- Current medications you are taking
- Family history of cancers or other significant diseases
Your clinician would assess your case and make sure the treatment is safe and suitable for you. No assessment is carried out when using fakes, which puts you at serious risk.
