Sibutramine was found in a product sold online as a food supplement, claimed to cause 10 kg weight loss in one month. Sibutramine can cause sudden deaths, heart attacks, and strokes.
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay, Head of the Department of Pharmacology, drawing attention to the deadly danger behind innocent-looking weight loss teas and food supplements, pointed to the lack of oversight on weight loss products and emphasized that the authority must be urgently transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Health.
Prof. Dr. Uzbay: "Losing 10-15 kilograms in a month is not a very healthy thing. For weight loss purposes, whether it's a food supplement or another medication, medication should not be used blindly. It must be done under the evaluation, prescription, or recommendation of an endocrinology specialist and under the supervision of a dietitian."
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay, Rector's Advisor at Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Head of the Department of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine, made statements about "Sibutramine," a substance secretly added to weight loss products that has recently caused deaths and is banned worldwide.
"The desire to eat decreases, but this is also what is dangerous..."
Prof. Dr. Uzbay explained the effect of "Sibutramine" on the brain and the extent of its danger with these words:
"This substance increases the effects of neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, which everyone knows. It causes them to exert more effect at nerve endings. Yes, appetite decreases, the desire to eat decreases. But this is also what is dangerous. Due to its increase in noradrenaline, it is expected to increase hypertension. It can lead to serious disorders in vascular beds, hemorrhages, for example, stroke. Because of these properties, it has been banned and withdrawn from the market by both the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA)."
"The problem is the approval being obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture"
Highlighting the legal loophole and oversight weakness underlying the danger, Prof. Dr. Uzbay said, "The problem here is actually that these food supplements are approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, easily released to the market, and have little oversight. We don't know what other products Sibutramine is being added to. This authority must completely transfer to the Ministry of Health, and these products should not be released to the market so easily."
The myth of "herbal means harmless" is a deception
Prof. Dr. Uzbay stated that a widespread misconception among the public amplifies the danger, saying that "herbal" and "not a drug" labels are deceptions:
Prof. Dr. Uzbay said, "Unfortunately, the public's drug literacy is very low, and something like this was promoted: 'All herbal, plant-based products are harmless.' Consequently, Ministry of Health oversight was bypassed here. What is important is that the active ingredient produces such an effect. Being herbal does not mean that an active ingredient will not have side effects. What do these products say on them? 'Not a drug.' But all of them are marketed for health, claimed to be beneficial for diseases, and sold in pharmacies just like a drug."
"Viagra's active ingredient is also added"
Prof. Dr. Uzbay stated that this deception is not limited to weight loss products, but a similar situation occurs with supplements claimed to enhance sexual performance. He said, "There are many other supplements sold on the market claimed to increase sexual potency. If these were examined, most would contain sildenafil, the active ingredient we know as Viagra. These can also be obtained from the internet and from companies marketing them directly, and delivered to the door by couriers."
Those who do these things must be banned from these activities
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay listed the steps that need to be taken to prevent this deadly trade as follows:
"The company doing this and whoever is releasing these to the market must be penalized. That is, before banning, deterrent penalties must be clearly established. Those who engage in these activities must be prohibited from doing so. And the ministry authorized to carry out supervision should be the Ministry of Health, rather than the Ministry of Agriculture. When 'not a drug' is written on it, you escape responsibility. However, if a physician prescribes such a drug and the patient is harmed, there are serious liabilities. These too must be subject to responsibility."
"Do not use medication blindly!"
Prof. Dr. Uzbay concluded his words with a vital warning to citizens:
"Losing 10-15 kilograms in a month is not a very healthy thing. For weight loss purposes, whether it's a food supplement or another medication, medication should not be used blindly. It must be done under the evaluation, prescription, or recommendation of an endocrinology specialist and under the supervision of a dietitian. Otherwise, people may face very severe consequences."