제 28 호 Abuse of New Weight-Loss Drugs Like Wegovy and Mounjaro on the Rise
Kicker: LIFE
Abuse of New Weight-Loss Drugs Like Wegovy and Mounjaro on the Rise
By Hae-In Noh, Cup-reporter
New weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are rapidly gaining popularity among the general public thanks to their impressive promise of dramatic slimming results. Once reserved for patients with severe obesity or metabolic disorders, these medications are now being used more casually — often without full medical oversight — fueled by social-media hype, celebrity endorsements, and fear of missing out. In South Korea, authorities have raised alarm about prescriptions being issued off-label to individuals outside approved criteria, and the possibility of self-injection and online purchase is growing. The government has responded by announcing plans to designate these drugs as “medicines of concern for misuse” and is stepping up regulatory controls over prescribing practices and distribution channels. Meanwhile, regulatory agencies in the US and UK are also issuing warnings about unapproved online sales and counterfeit versions of GLP-1-based weight-loss drugs. As the market booms, many experts caution that what began as breakthrough treatments may become public-safety issues unless usage is guided by proper medical supervision, patient education and long-term monitoring.
Off-Label Use Spreads Beyond Medical Needs
New weight-loss drugs designed for diabetes and severe obesity now reach people with normal BMI and those seeking quick cosmetic slimming. Clinics report rising off-label demand from young adults who want fast results for events, photos or body-image pressures amplified on social media. Health authorities confirm a jump in non-eligible prescriptions and warn that misuse spreads faster than medical guidance.
Government Moves to Tighten Oversight
Government plans to list Wegovy and Mounjaro as “medicines of concern for misuse” and aims to tighten control over clinics offering easy prescriptions. Regulators push stronger checks on digital clinics, which enable rapid online sign-ups and same-day delivery without proper long-term monitoring. Officials are also moving to block illegal compounding and unauthorized in-house mixing after reports of clinics preparing unapproved GLP-1 blends for cosmetic use.
Serious Side-Effect Risks Raise Alarm
Medical experts warn that users outside approved criteria face major risks: severe nausea, gallbladder inflammation, pancreatitis, intestinal blockage and dangerous blood-sugar drops. Case reports in the U.S. and Europe highlight rising emergency room visits tied to self-injection errors and counterfeit semaglutide products. The U.S.Food and Drug Administration reports a surge in unapproved online sales, fake GLP-1 vials and “research-chemical” versions targeting cosmetic dieters.
Illegal Sales and Counterfeit Products Expand
Illegal distribution grows as demand spikes. South Korean authorities shut down several online communities offering imported semaglutide for self-injection, often without refrigeration or labeling. Police say the surge mirrors global trends where shortages push people to seek black-market versions. The UK’s drug agency seized more than £250,000 worth of counterfeit weight-loss shots in a recent raid, showing the scale of the problem. Experts warn that without proper supervision and realistic guidelines, breakthrough treatments risk turning into public-safety threats. Many call for strengthened patient screening, controlled dispensing, and nationwide education on long-term risks—arguing that easy access may undermine the drugs’ original medical purpose.
Growing misuse of Wegovy and Mounjaro shows how fast medical breakthroughs can turn risky when demand outpaces proper oversight. I believe the challenge now is balancing strong control with responsible access. A full crackdown may slow abuse, yet many patients still benefit from these drugs when used under medical care. To protect both safety and treatment needs, regulators must build clearer rules, track prescriptions more closely and educate users before risks escalate further. The rise of these drugs signals not only a medical shift but also a social one and the response will shape how future weight-loss treatments enter everyday life.
Sources:
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10-27/national/socialAffairs/Government-to-designate-Wegovy-and-Mounjaro-as-drugs-of-concern-for-misuse/2429679
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10-27/national/socialAffairs/Government-to-designate-Wegovy-and-Mounjaro-as-drugs-of-concern-for-misuse/2429679
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss?
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10-27/national/socialAffairs/Government-to-designate-Wegovy-and-Mounjaro-as-drugs-of-concern-for-misuse/2429679
