Brazil’s paediatric expert body urges caution over the rising trend of using incretin-based ‘weight loss pens’ by children and teenagers without proper medical oversight, highlighting risks and the need for responsible use.
Brazil’s paediatric society has warned against the growing use of so-called “weight loss pens” among children and teenagers without medical supervision, saying the drugs should only be used in clearly defined cases and under specialist care. The Brazilian Society of Paediatrics said the medicines, known as incretin-based treatments, are being treated too casually, even though they can cause significant side effects and are not suitable for healthy adolescents trying to alter their appearance.
The society’s endocrinology department said the greatest concern is the use of these injections for aesthetic reasons, especially in young people already under pressure over body image. Crésio Alves, who leads the department, said doctors should first understand why a teenager wants to lose weight, how much they want to lose, who suggested the treatment and what they expect from it. The group also warned against using the drugs for rapid slimming before holidays, parties or competitions, or as a shortcut to make up for poor diet and inactivity.
According to the society, Brazil’s health regulator has approved three incretin drugs for certain paediatric uses: liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide. Anvisa says semaglutide, sold as Wegovy, may be used as an aid to reduced-calorie diet and exercise for weight control in adolescents aged 12 and older with obesity and a body weight above 60 kg. The regulator also says Trulicity, which contains dulaglutide, is approved for type 2 diabetes in patients aged 10 and above, while Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide, has paediatric approval in Brazil for type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents aged 10 and over.
Even when a young patient meets the formal criteria, the society said treatment is not automatic. Doctors should weigh previous responses to therapy, the severity of the condition, other health problems, possible risks and whether the family can maintain follow-up. The most common side effects are digestive, including nausea, vomiting, reflux, heartburn, diarrhoea and constipation, particularly while doses are being increased. The society also flagged muscle loss, pancreatitis, low blood sugar and gallstones, as well as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. It added that inappropriate use could affect growth and development.
The group is also pushing for the popular phrase “weight loss pens” to be replaced with “medicines to treat obesity”, arguing that the current language trivialises serious treatment and encourages the idea that these products are only for slimming. It said the drugs should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding patients, or by anyone with hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or other components. A history of pancreatitis requires individual assessment. The society’s message is aimed at curbing what it sees as the social-media-driven normalisation of these medicines and reinforcing that obesity is a chronic disease requiring proper medical care.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
