By: Hind Ahmed Abdel Rahman

Edited by: Dr. Al-Zahraa Rashad

In recent years, a dangerous trend has surged among young people, particularly women: the use of weight loss medications without medical consultation. Driven by the desire to reach an "ideal weight" in the shortest possible time, this phenomenon has been fueled by social media platforms. Advertisements often claim these products are "natural and safe," despite a glaring lack of genuine medical evidence.

Mona S., a 21-year-old university student, shares her experience: "I saw an ad on Facebook for weight loss pills claiming to be 100% guaranteed, so I decided to try them. After two weeks, I began feeling dizzy and experienced severe abdominal discomfort. When I consulted a doctor, he told me to stop immediately, warning that they were dangerous and could affect my liver."

Official Warnings and Medical Risks
The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) has previously issued several warnings to citizens against purchasing or consuming weight loss medications from unknown sources. The authority confirmed that many products sold online are not officially registered and have caused significant health complications for users.

The late Dr. Hani El-Nazer, former President of the National Research Centre, had also frequently warned in televised interviews about the dangers of these drugs. He explained that many unregulated products sold online contain substances that can harm the heart and brain. He emphasized that the only safe solution lies in following a healthy diet under professional medical supervision.

Awareness Over Shortcuts
These cases illustrate how the thirst for "instant results" leads many young people toward unsafe paths. Experts argue that the solution is not necessarily a total ban on all medications, but rather increasing awareness about the necessity of medical consultation and tightening oversight on their sale.

Proposed solutions to combat this issue include:

Educating university students on the specific health risks of unregulated supplements.
Strictly monitoring and regulating online advertisements for pharmaceutical products.
Promoting the concept that true beauty and health can only be achieved through awareness and a proper nutritional lifestyle.
Conclusion
The issue of unsupervised weight loss drug use reveals a significant gap in public health awareness. While many chase "instant beauty," they often forget that health is the ultimate priority. It is essential for the media to be part of the solution by educating the public on the dangers of these products and encouraging safe, sustainable methods for maintaining both weight and long-term well-being.