Warnings Rise in Sweden Over Self-Adjusting and Counterfeit Weight Loss Drugs

Sweden is witnessing a surge in the use of weight loss medications, particularly GLP1-analogs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, with sales hitting 230 million kronor in December 2025 alone. These drugs, although transformative in obesity treatment, are not subsidized for weight loss purposes, causing many patients without type 2 diabetes to cover costs up to 4,000 kronor per month. This financial burden has led some users to self-adjust their dosages to extend their medication supply, a practice pharmacy staff warn against due to serious health risks.\n\nPharmacy personnel, including Roro Wirlander Beydoun, report frequent inquiries from customers about reducing doses citing financial constraints. Experts caution that while lower doses might reduce side effects, any dosage changes should be medically supervised, as there currently is no scientific backing for safe self-adjustment. Additionally, concerning trends like "click schemes" promote unsafe dosage modifications online.\n\nEqually alarming is the proliferation of counterfeit weight loss medications marketed on the internet, which pose significant health hazards. Professor Ylva Trolle Lagerros of the Karolinska Institute emphasizes the dangers of injecting substances from unknown sources and highlights the growing threat of counterfeit drugs. The Swedish Medical Products Agency has issued warnings about these fake products, stressing the risks involved.\n\nThis combination of unaffordable medication, risky self-experimentation, and counterfeit products exacerbates the challenges faced by those legitimately needing these treatments in Sweden.