Injection safety: read this first

Weight-loss and hormone injections are powerful medicines. Used without a doctor they can cause serious harm. This page explains the main risks, the warning signs that need urgent care, and how to get treatment safely in the UAE.

Only with a doctor's prescription

• A doctor checks whether a medicine is right for you, based on your health, other conditions and the medicines you already take.
• The doctor decides the dose and adjusts it over time. Doses are personal and are not something to work out at home.
• Some people should not use these medicines at all, for example during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with certain medical histories. Only a doctor can tell you.
• Regular follow-up and blood tests help catch problems early.

Why unregulated products are dangerous

• Unknown content: products that are not approved by a regulator may contain the wrong amount of the active ingredient, a different substance, or contamination.
• No quality control: sterility, storage and expiry are not guaranteed, which raises the risk of infection.
• Investigational medicines are still being studied. Their long-term safety is not yet known, and they are only meant to be used inside supervised clinical trials.
• In the UAE, prescription medicines should only come from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription.

Common side effects

Weight-loss injections in this class commonly cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, loss of appetite and stomach discomfort, especially at the start. Hormone injections can affect blood pressure, red blood cell levels, mood, fertility and more. Tell your doctor about any side effect that worries you.

Get urgent medical help if you notice

• Severe or constant pain in the stomach, which may spread to the back
• Vomiting or diarrhoea that will not stop, or signs of dehydration (dizziness, very little urine, dry mouth)
• Shaking, sweating, confusion or fainting, which can be signs of low blood sugar
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat
• Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing
• Pain, swelling or redness in one leg, or sudden weakness or trouble speaking
• Redness, heat, pus or fever around an injection site

In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 (ambulance) or go to the nearest emergency department. Take the product packaging with you.

How to get treatment safely

• See a licensed doctor or an obesity, endocrinology or men's health clinic.
• Ask about approved treatment options that are registered in the UAE.
• Fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy.
• Keep your follow-up appointments and report any side effects.

This page is general health information, not medical advice, and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Activex Bioscience does not give dosing advice.