Should diabetes drugs be used for weight loss?

A new breed of so-called wonder drugs are helping people lose weight but raising fears of shortages for the type 2 diabetics the medications were initially intended for.

The over-the-counter medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are taken to treat Type 2 diabetes because they help regulate blood sugar levels.

But users can see also their weight drop significantly because the drug reduces their appetite by mimicking the effect of hormones released in the body after a person eats.

This has led to an increasing amount of off-label usage, leading to a shortage of these drugs in some countries.

The drugs have also become fashionable, thanks to celebrities who have been promoting their use for weight loss on social media.

As most of these injectable medications don't currently require a prescription in the UAE, there are concerns that people who don't need them are using them as a quick fix to drop a few kilos.

Ali Hashemi, Co-founder and Chairman of Dubai's GluCare Integrated Diabetes Centre, spoke to Dubai Eye 103.8's The Agenda about the dangers of people using the drugs without actually meeting the criteria.

Hashemi added that the long term effects of these medications are still being researched and that there's no such thing as a quick fix.

He also highlighted the cost element involved, explaining that Ozempic costs about AED 1,000 a month, while Mounjaro costs around AED 1,700.

Sara, who has been using Mounjaro for four months, shared her experience with The Agenda. She said her overall experience has been positive despite some initial side effects.