Why you shouldn’t just buy Wegovy online
While you may be tempted to buy Wegovy online in order to attain fast access to this weight loss medication, you could be putting yourself at serious risk.
Many of these ‘Ozempic’ or ‘Wegovy’ products are counterfeit – investigations have shown that some don’t even contain their active ingredient, semaglutide, and some contain life-threatening ingredients.
Wegovy should only be prescribed under medical supervision and strict eligibility criteria. Oviva, an NHS-funded weight management service, provides holistic weight loss support and access to safe Wegovy via prescription if you’re eligible.
Key Takeaways
- Buying Wegovy online may cost you £2,000 or more each year.
- Counterfeit Wegovy is being sold online – hundreds have been seized by the UK Government, with some containing life-threatening ingredients.
- The UK Government, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have all expressed concern over the danger of purchasing Wegovy over the internet.
- Wegovy is a weight loss medication only intended for people living with obesity and requires medical supervision.
What is Wegovy? Why is it dangerous to buy it online?
If you’ve been contemplating buying Wegovy online in the UK, getting all the facts is essential.
Understand why medical supervision is needed, why the Wegovy you buy online may not be as advertised, and the potential dangers.
The cost of buying Wegovy online adds up
Even if you can obtain Wegovy from a regulated source, the costs of buying it soon add up.
And as the dosage increases, so does the price. NICE recommends weight loss medication for a maximum of two years, which could equal costs of almost £4,000 if you choose to buy online.
See typical costs based on NICE guidelines but remember, these can vary widely depending on the seller:
| Dosage | Cost per pack | Duration (approx.) | Total cost for duration |
| 0.25 mg | £73.25 | Weeks 1 to 4 | £73.25 |
| 0.5 mg | £73.25 | Weeks 5 to 8 | £73.25 |
| 1.0 mg | £73.25 | Weeks 9 to 12 | £73.25 |
| 1.7 mg | £124.53 | Weeks 13 to 16 | £124.53 |
| 2.4 mg | £175.80 | Weeks 17 onwards | £1,582.20 (36 weeks) |
| Total (1 year) | – | – | £1,926.48 |
It’s also important to understand that costs vary depending on the provider, so buying Wegovy online may end up being even more expensive than this.
Counterfeit products
Hundreds of falsified ‘Ozempic’ or ‘Wegovy’ pens have been seized in the UK, highlighting how much the market has been flooded with unsafe, counterfeit products.
A BBC investigation found that some of these didn’t even contain any of its key active ingredient, semaglutide. The UK Government found that some of these fake products have even been found to contain insulin which can require urgent medical treatment.
The risk of toxic ingredients within counterfeit Wegovy products is very serious – people in the UK are being hospitalised from taking falsified weight loss injections purchased online from unregulated suppliers.
Monitor your goals
Receive personalised recommendations to help you to work towards your goal. Log your food, mood, water intake, exercise and other health metrics using the Oviva app.
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Dangerous advice
If you buy Wegovy from a supplier that hasn’t been medically accredited, you’re also at risk of receiving dangerous, incorrect advice.
Even if a business appears legitimate, you cannot be sure they’re providing safe products and information. A BBC Three documentary found beauty salons in the UK selling unapproved versions of the medication.
Some of these salons were also providing unsafe information to their customers about mixing dosages. One salon even claimed it’s not dangerous to take too much Wegovy – this is untrue.
The risk to patient safety is unignorable now, and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) are calling for tighter regulations surrounding the online sale of weight loss jabs, arguing that current rules are not strong enough.
Risk of taking Wegovy cosmetically
Wegovy should only be prescribed for people with a BMI over 35 who are living with weight-related health issues like type 2 diabetes.
However, because it’s so easy to purchase online, Wegovy misuse, and its serious consequences, are rising. People with a BMI under 35 are accessing Wegovy online and using it for cosmetic weight loss, not medical weight loss.
One case reported by the Guardian saw a woman who was not overweight receive urgent medical treatment for “life-threatening” symptoms. Another case resulted in intensive care treatment.
Wegovy misuse also puts you at risk of unhealthy weight loss, nutritional deficiencies and disordered eating. That’s why it’s only prescribed in specific circumstances.
A prescription medication, not a quick fix
Wegovy alone is not a solution for weight management.
People who buy Wegovy online often question why they’re not losing weight on Wegovy, and it’s likely because they’re not combining it with lifestyle changes, like improving diet and activity levels.
If you’re simply buying Wegovy online and not making any lifestyle changes or receiving professional support, you won’t develop the skills and knowledge required to make weight loss sustainable long-term, making weight regain more likely.
Sustainable changes and professional support include help around:
- Creating a balanced diet, not just a diet based around a calorie deficit
- Getting enough protein
- Using resistance training to reduce muscle mass loss
Find out more about how to manage your weight after stopping weight loss medication.
Risks without medical supervision
Wegovy works in a complex way, mimicking a hormone in your body that regulates appetite. As a result, it can produce side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation.
Your dose gradually increases over time to minimise the impact of Wegovy side effects, which is why you need a healthcare professional to accurately determine the correct dosage throughout treatment. This is for your safety and for the effectiveness of the medication.
If you buy Wegovy online in the UK from a private seller, you won’t receive this level of care. In the worst cases, you won’t know what the ingredients are, and you could suffer harmful or even fatal side effects. On top of this, you won’t receive personalised care for dosing.
If you have certain health conditions, taking Wegovy may be unsafe. Examples include pancreatitis and thyroid issues. Wegovy can also have adverse interactions with other medications. An accredited clinician must assess these risks before you start the medication.
Also, Wegovy is only recommended for a maximum of two years of continuous use. Without medical supervision, you could take the medication for an unsafe amount of time.
What professional support can provide
Professional supervision when taking Wegovy is vital. Buying Wegovy online will not provide access to the support you need to make lasting changes and sustain your weight loss.
Essential health monitoring
Healthcare professionals are key in monitoring your efforts as you take Wegovy and embark on your weight loss journey. They can assist you with:
- Tracking your progress
- Managing side effects
- Making adjustments to your dosing schedule if needed
They can also regularly check your health markers, including such as blood glucose and blood pressure.
Holistic support from Tier 3 weight management
Wegovy works best when combined with healthy eating habits, regular physical activity and psychological support. Professional guidance and supervision help to ensure you’re making sustainable changes that promote lasting weight loss.
Tier 3 weight management programmes provide multidisciplinary support, offering access to dietitians, doctors and psychologists. This helps to ensure Wegovy is used safely and effectively and that you receive the support you need as you lose weight.
Oviva provides a Tier 3 weight management service, which can allow you to reduce the lengthy waiting lists associated with NHS Tier 3 weight management programmes.
Find out more about the kind of healthy weight loss habits we can help you build for long-term change.
What to do if you’re thinking of buying Wegovy
If you’re considering buying Wegovy online in the UK, speak to your GP first and explore the various NHS-funded options. Your doctor could help you lose weight by referring you to weight management services offering prescription Wegovy.
Remember, lasting weight loss success requires a holistic approach. Weight loss medication can play a valuable role, but it needs to be combined with adopting positive behaviours that you can build into healthy weight loss habits.
Oviva provides comprehensive support for weight loss. Our experts can help you with goal setting, behavioural change and learning how to stick to a sustainable diet.
You’ll also learn how to take Wegovy or other weight loss medications safely, and you’ll be able to access educational materials, including healthy diet plans.
