Weight Loss Drugs in Nigeria- Cost and Options

Obesity was previously not a problem in Nigeria until recent times that we have adopted the western way of living and diet. Now about 15% of Nigerian adults are said to be obese. This comes to a figure of about 30 million Nigerian adults.

How do I know whether I’m obese?

To determine whether one is obese, we use a measurement called the BMI (body mass index). This is a calculation that uses the weight in kg over the square of one’s height in metres. The value obtained is placed in categories.

18.5-24.5 (normal)

25-29.9 (overweight)

30 and above(obese)

Note that there are also morbidly obese individuals with a BMI above 40

For example, if your height is 1.7m and you weigh 100kg, your BMI is 100 divided by 1.7×1.7 (2.89) which gives a BMI of 34.6 (obese)

What are the risks of obesity?

With obesity comes various risks. Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea and some cancers have been linked with obesity. One can understand why there is a need to bring down weight as quickly and as safely as possible.

What options are available for weight loss?

The usual approach to losing weight is diet and exercise. Diet involves various methods like portion control, calorie restriction, intermittent fasting etc while adequate exercise involves at least 150 minutes a week of moderate to intense exercise.

Realistically, one cannot expect to lose a great amount of weight in the shortest possible time using this ‘natural’ approach. In a one year period one can expect to lose about 10% of body weight. So Nigerians have been looking into other options. The options left being drugs and surgery.

Surgery in itself is the most guaranteed for that fast weight loss, however the fear of the attendant risks of surgery make it a very last option for most obese people. Drugs seem a less risky alternative. But are they?

The options for drugs include the GLP-1 agonists which are typically used for people with diabetes and they include semaglutide (Wegovy and Ozempic) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)

How do weight loss drugs work?

These drugs slow down digestion, prevent you from getting hungry easily, suppressing your appetite. You feel less craving for food that will make you put on weight. These drugs will make you lose between 15-24% of your weight after more than a year.

How much does Ozempic (or Wegovy) cost in Nigeria and where can I buy it?

These are not tablets but given with an injection pen under the skin on a weekly basis. These drugs are supposed to be on prescription, however it has been found that Nigerians are able to access them via pharmacies and ‘medical spas’, without proper education on their risk/benefit profile. These drugs do not come cheap, current prices range from N450,000 – N600,000 for a 0.5mg pen (4 weekly doses) or much higher.

It may interest you to know that there are counterfetit Ozempic pens in Nigeria.

Note that even with these drugs, you can regain the weight when use is stopped if you haven’t disciplined yourself to lifestyle modifications. Common side effects include low blood sugar and dizziness. Serious complications include gall bladder and kidney problems