A Chinese man suffered a stroke after losing 20kg in just two months while using semaglutide and dapagliflozin in an attempt to shed weight quickly, prompting doctors to warn against the unsupervised use of prescription medication for weight loss.
The middle-aged man sought treatment at Beijing’s Chui Yang Liu Hospital, affiliated with Tsinghua University, after suddenly developing difficulty moving his limbs.
According to Zheng Xiaomin, deputy chief physician in the hospital’s Department of Endocrinology, the man was initially around 100kg and stood 1.75 metres tall.
Hoping to lose weight quickly, he began taking semaglutide and dapagliflozin. However, he developed side effects including nausea and vomiting.
Despite experiencing these symptoms, he did not seek medical attention or have his treatment adjusted. Instead, he continued taking the medications according to a fixed schedule.
Within two months, his weight dropped from around 100kg to 80kg.
While he was pleased with his weight-loss results, he suddenly suffered a stroke and had to be rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
How Can Combining The Drugs Increase Stroke Risk?
Zheng explained that semaglutide suppresses appetite and slows gastrointestinal movement, reducing the amount of food a person consumes.
Dapagliflozin, meanwhile, increases glucose excretion through urine and can also cause additional fluid loss.
When used inappropriately together, the drugs may contribute to reduced blood volume and insufficient blood flow to the brain, potentially increasing the risk of a stroke.
Zheng stressed that faster weight loss does not necessarily mean better results, particularly when medication is involved.
Who Should Use Semaglutide For Weight Loss?
Often promoted online as a “miracle weight-loss injection”, semaglutide is a prescription medication and is not suitable for everyone.
Zheng said its use should be assessed by a doctor, particularly for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, or those who are overweight or obese and have related metabolic conditions.
These may include fatty liver disease, hypertension and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), depending on the individual’s medical circumstances and the specific product’s approved indications.
People who have a relatively small amount of weight to lose and no relevant medical conditions generally do not need to turn to medication without a medical indication.
She also warned that people respond differently to medication, and taking it without proper assessment may fail to deliver the expected results. Weight regain may also occur after treatment is discontinued.
Doctors advise people seeking to lose weight to avoid buying or taking prescription drugs simply because they are popular online.
Instead, they recommend a sustainable approach based on balanced nutrition, regular exercise and medical supervision when medication is necessary.
