Sarhan Neven, Schaalan Mona F, El-Sheikh Azza A K
Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo, Egypt.
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo, Egypt.
Front Pharmacol. 2025 Jul 14;16:1606566. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1606566. eCollection 2025.
Misuse of weight-loss medicines, particularly those obtained via the internet and social media, raises critical concerns regarding patient safety, compliance, and risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
To evaluate patterns of weight-loss medication acquisition, the influence of social media on drug use behaviors, the role of pharmacist recommendations, and the key predictors of self-medication and adherence.
A cross-sectional survey was utilized to assess sources of procurement of weight loss drugs, impact of social media on drug use, and sufficiency of pharmacist counseling on safety and drug compliance.
The study revealed that 53% of participants reported using weight-loss medications without consulting a physician. Among them, 32% acquired the medications directly from a pharmacy without prescription and 15% online through social media platforms. A significant majority (68%) indicated being strongly influenced by social media, with Instagram (45%) and TikTok (30%) being the most cited platforms. Pharmacist consultation was associated with improved adherence (50% vs. 25%, = 0.0001) and enhanced awareness of drug safety (55% vs. 30%, = 0.0004). Logistic regression revealed that self-medication was significantly predicted by younger age (18-30 years, OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.4, = 0.002), frequent social media use (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-2.9, = 0.01), limited access to healthcare services (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4-4.4, = 0.001), and prior unsuccessful weight loss attempts (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-3.1, = 0.005). In contrast, medication adherence was positively associated with pharmacist recommendations (OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.45-3.76, p-value <0.001), younger age (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-2.9, = 0.004), better access to healthcare (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6-4.7, p-value <0.001), low social media dependence (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3-3.6, = 0.002) and previous medication adherence experience (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.8, = 0.012).
Findings highlight a growing trend of social media-driven decisions regarding weight-loss medication use and the associated risks of unregulated online-purchases. Pharmacists play a crucial role in mitigating adverse outcomes by promoting drug safety and adherence. Policy efforts should focus on enhancing regulations of over-the-counter online sales, strengthening pharmacist-led patient education, and combating misinformation through evidence-based public health communication.
减肥药的滥用，尤其是通过互联网和社交媒体获取的减肥药，引发了对患者安全、依从性以及药物不良反应风险的严重担忧。
评估减肥药的获取模式、社交媒体对用药行为的影响、药剂师建议的作用以及自我用药和依从性的关键预测因素。
采用横断面调查来评估减肥药的采购来源、社交媒体对用药的影响以及药剂师在安全性和药物依从性方面咨询的充分性。
研究显示，53%的参与者报告在未咨询医生的情况下使用减肥药。其中，32%直接从药店无处方获取药物，15%通过社交媒体平台在线获取。绝大多数（68%）表示受到社交媒体的强烈影响，提及最多的平台是Instagram（45%）和TikTok（30%）。药剂师咨询与依从性提高（50%对25%，P = 0.0001）和药物安全意识增强（55%对30%，P = 0.0004）相关。逻辑回归显示，年龄较小（18 - 30岁，OR = 2.1，95%CI：1.3 - 3.4，P = 0.002）、频繁使用社交媒体（OR = 1.8，95%CI：1.1 - 2.9，P = 0.01）、获得医疗服务的机会有限（OR = 2.5，95%CI：1.4 - 4.4，P = 0.001）以及之前减肥尝试未成功（OR = 1.9，95%CI：1.2 - 3.1，P = 0.005）可显著预测自我用药。相比之下，药物依从性与药剂师建议呈正相关（OR = 2.34，95%CI：1.45 - 3.76，P值<0.001）、年龄较小（OR = 1.8，95%CI：1.1 - 2.9，P = 0.004）、获得医疗服务的机会更好（OR = 2.8，95%CI：1.6 - 4.7，P值<0.001）、对社交媒体的依赖程度较低（OR = 2.2，95%CI：1.3 - 3.6，P = 0.002）以及之前的用药依从性经历（OR = 1.7，95%CI：1.1 - 2.8，P = 0.012）相关。
研究结果突出了社交媒体驱动减肥药使用决策的增长趋势以及在线购买不受监管的相关风险。药剂师在通过促进药物安全和依从性来减轻不良后果方面发挥着关键作用。政策努力应侧重于加强非处方在线销售的监管、加强药剂师主导的患者教育以及通过基于证据的公共卫生宣传来打击错误信息。
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