Most people on weight loss jabs rely on social media for support

Most people on weight loss jabs rely on social media for supportPeople admit to not taking the drugs properly and many say they don't get the support they needCommentsNewsNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)13:10, 15 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesPeople are getting advice in all the wrong placesTwo-thirds of people on a popular weight loss medication rely on social media for advice as they feel 'left to their own devices', a study has found. New research from online pharmacy Phlo claims there's a significant gap in day-to-day support for GLP-1 users in between clinical appointments.‌GLP-1s are medications that mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone that regulates blood sugar and curbs appetite and are used to treat diabetes and aid weight loss. Phlo's survey found almost three-quarters of people taking GLP-1s in the UK find it difficult to manage their treatment and fully understand their progress in between appointments.‌65% turned to social media for reassurance and guidance, while 90% users say they trust all GLP-1 information they find on social media. Almost a third of the 1,000-people-wide study are said to be seeking answers on online forums, 29% on YouTube, and a fifth on TikTok.‌View 3 ImagesClinical advice is important for safe use of the drugsThis is despite clinicians' warning that social media can be a poor substitute for medical advice on GLP-1s, with studies finding that information online can be incomplete or misleading, particularly around side effects and safe use.‌More than a third rely on calendar reminders or phone alarms and a quarter use notepads or diaries to track their doses. The informal tracking methods have proven unreliable for many users, with more than half saying they've missed or delayed a dose.Nearly a quarter even admit to only taking a dose when they feel that the effects are wearing off, rather than following the clinically recommended weekly schedule. Four in ten admit they have switched off phone...