In the quest for quick weight loss, many people have turned to medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza)—drugs originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes but now widely used by non-diabetics purely for shedding extra kilos. While these injections may seem like a miracle fix, recent findings and real-world cases have raised serious safety concerns about their long-term effects.

If you’re considering these medications for weight loss, read this first.

How Do These Weight Loss Injections Work?

Both semaglutide and liraglutide belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work by:

✅ Suppressing appetite and slowing down stomach emptying
✅ Stimulating insulin production from the pancreas
✅ Acting on the brain’s appetite control center to reduce cravings

Sounds like an easy way to lose weight, right? Not so fast.

The Alarming Side Effects & Long-Term Risks

While these drugs can lead to rapid weight loss, the risks outweigh the benefits for many people—especially those without diabetes. Here’s why:

1. Mental Health Risks: Depression & Suicide

Several reports have linked these injections to severe mental health issues, including:
❌ Increased anxiety and depression
❌ Suicidal thoughts
❌ Documented cases of suicide following usage

Since these drugs act on areas of the brain responsible for appetite control, they may also negatively impact mood and mental stability. This is particularly concerning for people with a history of mental health issues, as the medication could exacerbate their condition.

The FDA and EMA (European Medicines Agency) are already investigating these psychiatric effects, but the risks are real—especially for those buying the drug without medical supervision.

2. Blindness & Eye Complications

Shocking new reports suggest that some patients have suffered from blindness after using semaglutide. While research is ongoing, it raises serious concerns about how this drug may affect optic nerve function and retinal health.

Those taking these medications without medical supervision may not even realize they’re at risk until it’s too late.

3. Pancreatic Issues: Inflammation & Cancer

Because these drugs stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, they put excessive stress on the organ. This has led to:

❌ Cases of pancreatitis (dangerous inflammation of the pancreas)
❌ Reports linking these drugs to pancreatic cancer

Even though drug manufacturers claim the risk is low, some studies have shown a potential link between GLP-1 medications and pancreatic tumors.

4. Weight Regain & Eating Disorders

The biggest issue with these injections? They don’t teach you how to eat properly.

Many people who use them for weight loss:
⚠️ Have no structured diet plan
⚠️ Are eating far too little because of the appetite suppression
⚠️ Lose weight, but gain it all back when they stop the drug

Since the weight loss is driven entirely by the drug’s effects, patients often fail to develop sustainable eating habits. Once they stop the expensive injections, they experience rapid weight regain, sometimes gaining even more weight than before.

This creates a dangerous cycle of dependency, where people keep using the drug simply to maintain their weight—an unsustainable and risky approach.

5. The Dangers of the Black Market

With demand skyrocketing, many people are obtaining these injections illegally, either from unlicensed sources or questionable online sellers.

Buying semaglutide or liraglutide off the black market comes with major risks:
⚠️ Fake or contaminated products with unknown ingredients
⚠️ No medical supervision, increasing the risk of side effects
⚠️ Incorrect dosages that can cause serious harm

If you’re considering these injections, ask yourself: is it worth the risk?

Is There a Better Way to Lose Weight?

Instead of relying on expensive, potentially dangerous injections, sustainable weight loss comes down to:

✅ A proper diet plan tailored to your nutritional needs
✅ Regular exercise that promotes fat loss and muscle gain
✅ Metabolism-friendly lifestyle habits that keep weight off long-term

Unlike injections, these methods don’t come with the risk of blindness, pancreatitis, or mental health decline—and they actually teach you how to maintain a healthy weight for life.

Final Thoughts: Think Twice Before You Inject

While semaglutide and liraglutide may help some people lose weight quickly, the serious risks associated with these drugs make them a dangerous choice for non-diabetics looking for a shortcut.

If you’re considering these injections, talk to a qualified medical professional first. And remember—true weight loss success isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about sustainable habits.

Would you rather risk your health for a temporary solution or invest in a long-term, safe weight loss strategy? The choice is yours.

For safe and effective weight loss solutions contact the Dr Kat’s Weight Loss & Wellness team
www.drkats.co.za