PETALING JAYA: Injectable medicines, which are used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, must be used responsibly under proper medical supervision, say health experts
They advise patients using these medications to remain vigilant for warning signs and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) public health specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said these medicines are beneficial for suitable patients when prescribed and monitored appropriately
“These drugs should be prescribed by trained healthcare professionals after carefully weighing the benefits and risks of each treatment and tailoring them to each patient’s condition and concerns
“Under the right circumstances, the treatment can benefit obese patients by promoting weight loss, reducing the effects of metabolic syndrome and improving diabetes control,” she said
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However, she cautioned that the benefits of these medicines depend on responsible use and warned that health complications could arise if they are used without proper medical supervision
“Unfortunately, some individuals are selling these medicines for patients to use at their own risk
“This can lead to adverse events and potentially worsen their health conditions,” she said
The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) recently issued a safety advisory on the risk of acute pancreatitis associated with medicines that are prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, obesity
These medicines belong to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which help regulate blood sugar levels and appetite
The agency advised patients to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as persistent severe abdominal pain, with or without vomiting
Dr Sharifa said drug-induced pancreatitis is uncommon, noting that some studies found its incidence was not significantly higher among patients receiving GLP-1 treatment than in the general population
However, she said certain groups require closer monitoring, particularly those with pre-existing gallstones or gallbladder sludge
Other high-risk groups include patients with very high triglyceride levels, Type 2 diabetes, advanced kidney disease, fatty liver disease or obesity, as well as smokers
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She added that doctors prescribing these medicines should adhere to established clinical guidelines, screen patients for contraindications and ensure regular follow-up after treatment begins
“Patients should also attend all scheduled follow-up appointments after starting treatment, and the medication should be discontinued if any safety concerns arise,” she said
Echoing the call for responsible use, public health medicine specialist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the growing use of these medicines for weight loss without strict medical supervision was a significant concern
He said the sharp increase in unsupervised and off-label use could pose risks to individual safety and place additional strain on the healthcare system
“However, the NPRA advisory should not be viewed as a reason for panic, but as an important reminder to use these medicines responsibly,” he said
He advised the public to obtain weight management medicines only through authorised healthcare providers and registered pharmacies
Dr Zainal also stressed that GLP-1 injections should be regarded as prescription medicines rather than lifestyle products
“Doctors and healthcare professionals must exercise a high degree of clinical vigilance and thoroughly screen patients, while the public should avoid self-medicating and seek immediate medical attention if warning symptoms develop,” he said
He added that extreme caution should be exercised when prescribing these medications to patients with a history of pancreatitis, elevated triglyceride levels or gallbladder disease
