As resolutions drive demand, regulators warn against fake, illegal weight-loss medicines circulating online and on social media.
For many, the New Year comes with renewed determination to lose weight, eat better and feel healthier. But alongside that annual surge in motivation comes a quieter, more dangerous trend: a spike in illegal and unsafe weight-loss medicines sold online.
This week, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a public warning urging people to check that any weight-loss medicines they use are safe, legitimate and properly prescribed, especially as demand rises around New Year resolutions [1].
It is the agency’s simple but urgent message that not everything marketed as a shortcut to weight loss is what it claims to be.
According to the MHRA, weight-loss products sold through unregulated websites or social media platforms may look convincing but often come with serious risks. These products can be fake, incorrectly dosed, contaminated or contain strong ingredients that are not listed on the label.
That means consumers may be taking substances they do not fully understand, in amounts that are unsafe for their bodies. The agency warned that such products can cause severe side effects, including heart problems, dangerously low blood sugar and psychological effects.
The warning comes amid a broader crackdown on illegal online sellers, many of whom exploit the popularity of weight-loss drugs by offering “miracle results” or prices that seem too good to be true.
While regulators are raising red flags, they are not dismissing weight-loss medicines altogether. On the contrary, the MHRA emphasized that licensed obesity drugs can be life-changing for people with genuine clinical need, when used correctly.
“Safe, appropriate, licensed obesity drugs can greatly benefit those with a clinical need but should be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription,” UK Health Minister Zubir Ahmed said in the agency’s statement.
The distinction matters. Prescription weight-loss drugs are intended for specific patients, based on medical history, body mass index and related health risks. They are not designed as casual aids for rapid weight loss ahead of a holiday or event.
One of the MHRA’s strongest warnings was directed at social media, where weight-loss products are frequently promoted through influencer posts, private messages and paid ads.
The agency advised people to avoid products marketed as “quick fixes,” “miracle results” or sold at unusually low prices – these are all common signs of illegal sellers. These promotions often rely on urgency, personal testimonials or before-and-after photos, rather than verified medical evidence.
“People often look for ways to support their health at this time of year, but buying medicines from illegal online sellers can put your health at real risk,” said Jenn Matthissen from the MHRA’s Safety and Surveillance team.
“Always make sure you are using authorized products from legitimate sources and speak to a healthcare professional for advice on safe, evidence-based options,” she added.
The UK’s warning echoes similar concerns raised in the United States. Earlier, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautioned against unapproved versions of certain weight-loss drugs, noting that these products do not undergo proper review for safety, effectiveness or quality before reaching consumers.
This matters at a time when interest in medical weight-loss treatments is accelerating worldwide, driven in part by the rise of GLP-1 drugs. These medicines, initially developed for type 2 diabetes, have reshaped obesity treatment by helping regulate blood sugar, slow digestion and reduce appetite.
Recently, the FDA approved an oral version of Wegovy, marking the first time a GLP-1 therapy for obesity has reached the market in pill form. As we previously reported, Wegovy’s FDA approval marks the first oral drug for weight loss, which expands treatment options and lowers barriers for some patients who are uncomfortable with injections.
“This is a meaningful step forward in the field. It won’t replace injectables, but it broadens our tool kit in an important way,” said Dr Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist who runs a weight-loss clinic in Cary, North Carolina.
Still, regulators stress that even legitimate breakthroughs must be accessed through proper medical channels.
The MHRA’s advice ultimately points back to a less glamorous but safer approach: talk to a doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional before starting any weight-loss treatment.
In a season often defined by urgency and self-pressure, the agency’s warning serves as a reminder that health gains are rarely found in shortcuts. As weight-loss medicines become more visible and more talked about, knowing where they come from may be just as important as knowing what they do.
