NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ministry of Health has cautioned Kenyans against misusing Semaglutide-based drugs, popularly known by the brand name Ozempic, for weight loss, warning that unsupervised use could lead to severe health complications.
Through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), the government said the drug is only approved for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus whose condition is not adequately controlled.
However, an emerging trend has seen non-diabetic individuals turn to the drug as a quick weight-loss solution, mirroring a global craze popularised on social media.
“Semaglutide is a prescription-only medicine and its unsupervised or off-label use may result in serious health outcomes,” PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr. Fred Siyoi said in a public alert issued Tuesday.
While acknowledging that the medicine is effective and safe when used appropriately by diabetic patients, Dr. Siyoi stressed that safety concerns multiply when it is misused.
According to the regulator, common side effects of the drug include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), eye complications, acid reflux, and even intestinal obstruction.
The severity of these side effects, the Board warned, can range from mild to life-threatening.
“In light of the foregoing safety concerns, the public is advised against the off-label use of the medicines and encouraged to report any suspected side effects and poor quality products,” Dr. Siyoi said.
Kenyans experiencing adverse reactions are urged to report cases through the official PPB pharmacovigilance portals to help the government monitor risks.
The warning comes as health authorities worldwide grapple with a surge in demand for Ozempic, often dubbed a “miracle slimming jab” by influencers and celebrities.
Experts fear that the trend could fuel black-market sales, counterfeit drugs, and unregulated consumption.
The Ministry has reiterated that only licensed healthcare professionals can prescribe Semaglutide and strictly for its approved medical use.
