Weight-loss shots ‘used by Kim Kardashian and Elon Musk’ are abused by slim people – including those with eating disorders
- It uses dealers on sites like eBay and Instagram, experts say
- Experts say semaglutide is obtained from sources without safety controls
Popular weight-loss pills reportedly used by Kim Kardashian and Elon Musk are being abused by slim people, including those with eating disorders.
People with anorexia and bulimia are turning to unscrupulous dealers on sites like eBay and Instagram to buy Wegovy and Ozempic, experts have told The Mail on Sunday.
These are slightly different versions of the new drug semaglutide, a powerful appetite suppressant.
Semaglutide was approved for NHS use in March, but only for people struggling with obesity (Wegovy) or those with type 2 diabetes (Ozempic).
But experts say slim people, including those with severe eating disorders, get it from “cowboys” without going through safety checks.
In the photo: Elon Musk (photo file). Semaglutide was approved for use by the NHS in March, but only for people struggling with obesity (Wegovy) or those with type 2 diabetes (Ozempic).
Pictured: Kim Kardashian (File Photo). Experts say slim people, including those with severe eating disorders, obtain semaglutide from ‘cowboys’ without going through safety checks
Ruth Micallef, an eating disorder counselor in Edinburgh, said: ‘I get a lot of private messages [on social media] with people telling me they can get their hands on Wegovy even if they have an eating disorder and a low or healthy BMI.” Romil Patel, owner of online pharmacy Farmeci.com, said fast-buck operators, including gym instructors, were selling it illegally.
“It’s like the Wild West,” he said, adding that patients rejected by his pharmacy just buy it elsewhere.