Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy Gains Popularity as Use of Older Appetite Suppressants Remains High
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Despite the growing availability of newer obesity treatments like Wegovy, prescriptions for possibly risky ”narcotic appetite suppressants” continue to surge in South Korea, exceeding 200 million tablets annually, according to data released by the Ministry of Food adn Drug Safety. The continued reliance on these older drugs, even as more convenient and effective options emerge, raises concerns about patient safety and the need for stronger regulatory oversight.
Between 2021 and the first half of 2025, a cumulative 1,033.65 million tablets of narcotic appetite suppressants were prescribed – averaging over 200 million per year. This trend persists despite the introduction of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) type obesity treatments such as Wegovy and Maunjaro, wich offer a weekly governance schedule and are known for greater weight loss effects. Notably, nearly 90% of patients prescribed these appetite suppressants are women.
Wegovy, receiving increased attention for its convenience and efficacy, is not without its own side effects, primarily gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, alongside headaches and fatigue. Experts recommend a gradual dose increase to mitigate these effects.
Though, narcotic appetite suppressants carry risks of their own, including insomnia, palpitations, and dizziness. Concerns are mounting over insufficient monitoring and management of abuse related to these drugs.
During a recent parliamentary session, lawmaker Kim Seon-min of the Democratic Party of Korea called for pharmaceutical companies to provide extensive usage instructions and for the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to enhance pharmaceutical surveillance.
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