The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has cautioned Kenyans against using Semaglutide compounds for weight management, warning that the drug is restricted to prescription use and poses serious health risks if taken without medical supervision.
According to the regulator, “Semaglutide is a Prescription-Only Medicine and its unsupervised or off-label use may result in serious health outcomes.”
The Board explained that Semaglutide, commonly sold under the brand name Ozempic and in other generic forms, is only authorised for the treatment of adults living with type 2 diabetes that is not adequately controlled.
It emphasised that while clinical evidence shows the drug is beneficial for diabetic patients, safety concerns remain high, especially when it is misused outside its approved scope.
The PPB pointed out that side effects linked to the drug include hypoglycaemia, eye conditions, acid reflux, and intestinal obstruction.
Read More
These reactions, it said, can range in severity from mild discomfort to life-threatening complications.
The regulator urged members of the public not to use Semaglutide for weight loss and to be vigilant about reporting health complications or substandard products.
It advised that suspected adverse effects or poor-quality medicines should be submitted through its Pharmacovigilance Electronic Reporting System at pv.pharmacyboardkenya.org.
The PPB reiterated its mandate under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap 244, stressing that its role is to safeguard the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines and health technologies circulating in the country.
By underscoring these warnings, the Board seeks to prevent the growing trend of off-label drug use and protect Kenyans from preventable harm.
