A 40-year-old woman from Nottinghamshire has shared her near-fatal experience after purchasing weight-loss injections online without any medical consultation, warning others about the risks of unregulated sales.
Emma Dyer said she bought what she believed were Saxenda injections for £115 after searching online in March 2024. The website, she claimed, required only her body mass index (BMI), which she admitted she falsified. There were no checks regarding her history of anorexia and bulimia.
“It was just so easy — too easy,” she said, adding that she had been emotionally vulnerable after a comment about her weight.
Severe reaction after incorrect dosage
Emma said the instructions were poorly printed and she unknowingly injected a medium dose instead of starting with a lower one. Within days, she collapsed in her bathroom.
“I couldn’t move or speak. I was hallucinating and vomiting blood. I thought I was going to die,” she recalled.
She later decided to speak publicly to warn others about the dangers of purchasing such medication without professional supervision.
Medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescribed in the UK under strict clinical oversight. They mimic the GLP-1 hormone to suppress appetite but can carry serious side effects.
Regulators and charities raise alarm
NHS England has expressed concern over unverified sellers promoting weight-loss jabs without proper medical checks or follow-up care. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has also issued safety guidance.
Daniel Magson, CEO of Derby-based eating disorder charity First Steps ED, said referrals have surged, with 1,339 adult referrals recorded in 2024-25 — a 57% rise from the previous year.
Healthcare professionals stress that weight-loss drugs should only be prescribed by qualified practitioners with ongoing monitoring.
Emma hopes her experience will encourage others to seek medical advice before making decisions that could endanger their health.