ANALYSIS OF UNSUPERVISED WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATION USE: RECURRING CLINICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the primary clinical and psychological repercussions arising from the use of anti-obesity medications without a prescription or professional supervision. Through an integrative literature review of a qualitative and exploratory nature, 18 scientific publications indexed in the Google Scholar, Medline, and SciELO databases were selected within the 2021–2026 timeframe. The results reveal that indiscriminate use, driven by social aesthetic pressures and digital media, focuses primarily on substances such as semaglutide and sibutramine. The identified clinical implications range from gastrointestinal disorders to severe conditions such as acute pancreatitis and cardiovascular risks, while in the psychological sphere, a high association with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation was observed. It is concluded that the unregulated administration of these therapeutic agents represents a serious risk to public health, demanding urgent health education strategies, stricter trade oversight, and the action of multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe interventions in weight loss management.