TikTok blocks skinny jabs accounts

Some weight loss medication advocates no longer welcome on TikTok

Author

Jodie
July 26, 2023

Welcome to Weight Loss Buzz, your fix of weight loss news. Weight Loss Buzz is for patients and health-conscious consumers wanting weight loss products, treatment and medication. We bring you the news on the latest trends, breakthrough medications, buying advice, and tips for losing weight well.

This week’s edition is sponsored by Eatiful: revolutionising weight loss without a diet. Learn mindful eating for enjoyable, sustainable weight loss at weareeatiful.com.

Image: Eatiful

WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATION NEWS

TikTok Blocks Accounts Discussing “Skinny Jabs”

Dozens of TikTok accounts which discuss skinny jabs, or injectable weight loss medication were suspended in July, with users unclear as to whether TikTok had intentionally suspended the accounts or whether they had been automatically suspended by TikTokʻs algorithms.

The platform has clarified its rules around promoting unhealthy weight loss, and as the accounts are now suspended, it's not possible for us to comment on the legitimacy of those accounts or to what extent they were indeed promoting unhealthy behaviour.

Many millions of people turn to social media to share their own weight loss stories and to find inspiration and support from others, and as such, platforms including TikTok need to ensure what users find complies with all relevant laws, for example, is not legal to advertise prescription drugs.

Dorset Live explains:

❝

“Many (accounts) belonged to content creators who talk about their weight loss and monetise the platform through paid promotions with health companies which can prescribe the injections. Many banned accounts were reportedly posting content about companies that prescribe weight loss injections, as well as referral links for affiliate marketing programmes.”

US obesity care company Knownwell CEO, Brooke Boyarsky Pratt, told health site STAT:

❝

"My hunch is TikTok may be worried about this potential avalanche of concern coming from both irresponsible prescribing that may be happening. As well as compounded drugs that we know should not be in the market to begin with.”

Few accounts were suspended. Indeed, any search on TikTok for weight loss medication will yield countless videos about how to use weight loss injections like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda and their results. The coverage is broad, you will find promoters and detractors, and a balanced spread of opinions on the medication. TikTok is certainly not banning all weight loss related content. Of course, it is TikTok where skinny jabs became popular and where patients turn for advice. What is clear is that advertising “prescription only medication” is against the law, so any TikTok account that monetises ads to online providers could find them selves the wrong side of the law on this issue.

At Weight Loss Buzz, we promote healthy weight loss and support the use of weight loss medication as part of a controlled and healthy weight loss journey. We do not advocate the use of weight loss injections for people who do not need to lose weight for health reasons. We believe that patients should be able to post their own stories about their weight loss journeys, including if they use weight loss medications as part of their weight loss approach.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB

WEIGHT LOSS TIPS

Each week we feature weight loss tips to help you lose weight healthily and feel great.

Weight Loss Buzz Weight Loss Tip:
Take Inspiration from Social Media for Your Weight Loss Journey

Social media can be a treasure trove of inspiration and motivation on your weight loss journey. When used well, these platforms can become powerful tools to support and encourage your health goals. Read more here how to find inspiration from social media and use it to your advantage.

STUFF WE LOVE

At Weight Loss Buzz we bring you a selection of useful products each week to help accelerate your weight loss journey. This week we're loving…

Fitbit Luxe

Shine a light on your mind, body & health with a wellness tracker that doubles as jewellery. With all the essentials, you'll be unstoppable.

Image: Fitbit

SKINNY JAB / GLP-1 / WEIGHT LOSS INJECTIONS / WEGOVY / OZEMPIC / SAXENDA AVAILABILITY

Looking for skinny jabs or weight loss injections online?

We checked a range of online pharmacies and online doctor ʻclinicsʻ in the UK this week for Saxenda and Ozempic. We found both were out of stock at all providers we checked, including:

We also found that Rybelsus, the tablet form of Semaglutide (Ozempic) was either not listed or was out of stock too.

We found that alternative weight loss treatments were available on some sites, although some sites are also showing these other alternative medicines as out of stock too, as demand increases from people who can't get their regular supply of Ozempic or Saxenda.

At the time of writing on July 26th 2023 Mysimba was listed as IN STOCK with the following prices at:

Alli, Orlistat and Xenical (all Orlistat) are all generally readily available at the online pharmacies we checked.

Some online doctors or weight loss clinics may have availability of some drugs for existing customers. Providers stating that there may be supply for existing customers only include Boots and My London Pharmacy.

There may also be availability from online pharmacies if you already have a prescription from your healthcare professional (as opposed to needing an online clinic or online doctor service to prescribe you and supply you with the medication).

Weight Loss Buzz exists to help patients make informed choices and so we aim to gather current and relevant information about availability. We will bring you an update on weight loss injection availability each week. While it seems that Ozempic and Saxenda are generally not available from online clinics for new patients in the UK right now, the situation is in flux and subject to change. We will also bring news of alternative medication and weight loss approaches for those affected by the supply issues.

We hope you’ve enjoyed Weight Loss Buzz this week. If you have, please share this newsletter with your friends. We wish you every success on your healthy weight loss journey.

Until next time,

The Weight Loss Buzz Team