"I Bought It Cheap in Japan, but Now Side Effect Warnings Have Emerged"

Japan Society for the Study of Obesity Raises Concerns over Side Effects of Diet-Driven Drug Use

Warnings have been issued in Japan regarding the side effects of obesity treatments such as Maunzaro.

According to reports from NHK and other sources on October 4, the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity released a statement warning that using drugs such as Maunzaro and Wegovy for dieting purposes could lead to complications. The society stated that rapid weight loss induced by medication can result in the accumulation of ketone bodies generated during fat breakdown, potentially causing symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and fatigue.

The society noted that there have been recent reports of problems such as ketoacidosis occurring in people without obesity or diabetes. They highlighted concerns about the possible abuse of obesity and diabetes medications. Excessive accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood can lower the blood's pH below normal levels, posing a risk of ketoacidosis and leading to emergency situations.

Recently, Japan has seen a series of reports regarding side effects from off-label use of Maunzaro. Between 2023 and September 22 of this year, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) received approximately 950 reports of Maunzaro side effects. Of these, 35 cases specifically involved individuals who experienced side effects after using the medication for dieting or cosmetic purposes rather than its original indication.

Maunzaro 2.5mg and 5mg. Yonhap News

Maunzaro is a medication used to treat obesity and diabetes. In principle, it requires a doctor's prescription; however, in Japan, it can be obtained through "private treatment," which is not covered by public health insurance, for those wishing to lose weight for aesthetic reasons.

The drug's price is reportedly relatively low in Japan because the government directly regulates it as a type 2 diabetes treatment, making it cheaper compared to countries such as Korea. This has increased the demand for purchasing Maunzaro through proxy buyers and other routes in Japan. As a result, in Korea, a new word, "Sushizaro," combining the Japanese word for sushi and Maunzaro, has even emerged.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.