Experts warn against festive misuse of weight-loss injections

Health leaders are urging the public not to use prescription weight-loss injections as a short-term solution to prevent Christmas weight gain, amid growing concern about rising demand for the drugs during the festive season.

Pharmacies across the UK report a sharp increase in enquiries about weight-loss injections, including Ozempic and Mounjaro, from people hoping the medications will help them curb overeating at Christmas. Obesity specialists warn that this approach risks undermining the safe and appropriate use of treatments designed for people living with obesity.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said pharmacies are increasingly seeing people requesting weight-loss injections solely to avoid festive weight gain.

“These medicines are intended to support people with obesity as part of a long-term, medically supervised weight-management plan,” she said. “They are not designed to be used as a precautionary measure to offset a few weeks of overindulgence.”

Weight-loss injections work by reducing appetite and helping people feel fuller sooner. When prescribed appropriately, they can be an effective tool for people living with obesity, particularly when combined with dietary changes, physical activity and ongoing clinical support.

The warnings come as research suggests people in the UK can consume up to twice their usual daily calorie intake during the Christmas period. While seasonal weight gain is common, obesity specialists emphasise that short-term fluctuations are not best addressed with prescription medication.

There are also concerns that increased festive demand could push some people towards unregulated online sellers or the black market, where products may be unsafe or counterfeit and are supplied without proper medical checks.

Experts are calling for responsible prescribing and clear public information to ensure weight-loss injections remain focused on supporting people with obesity, rather than being misused as a quick fix for seasonal overeating.