Chinese medical experts: Semaglutide and others should not be used as "over-the-counter drugs"

China News Service, Beijing, November 13 (Reporter Li Chun) China's National Health Commission held a press conference in Beijing on the 13th. Xu Linngling, chief physician of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, pointed out at the meeting that GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide cannot be used as ordinary "over-the-counter drugs."

Xu Linngling said that many people with diabetes do not have typical symptoms in the early stages, so active screening is advocated. For example, mothers who have a family history of diabetes, are overweight and obese, are over 35 years old, have a history of gestational diabetes, or have given birth to a macrosomia are all high-risk groups for diabetes and should proactively screen their blood sugar. Once you drink a lot, urinate a lot, eat a lot, lose weight instead, or have repeated infections or wounds that are difficult to heal, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Some patients with type 2 diabetes will repeatedly experience palpitations, sweating, and trembling hands before meals for many years before being diagnosed. The reasons must be identified in time. Even if blood sugar is normal for a while, blood sugar needs to be screened regularly every year in the future.

Xu Linngling said that after diagnosis, you should receive standardized treatment, take medication according to the doctor's instructions, monitor blood sugar, and regularly check the fundus of the eyes, kidneys and feet. At the same time, you must master self-health skills, including a reasonable diet, moderate exercise, and a peaceful mind.

"In particular, GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide should not be used as ordinary 'over-the-counter drugs.'" Xu Linngling pointed out that such prescription drugs have strict indications and contraindications and should be evaluated by a doctor before use. Unreasonable use of these drugs may lead to serious consequences such as acute pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction, and medullary thyroid cancer.