The UK’s medicines safety regulator is asking doctors to be vigilant about patients who are abusing obesity injections like Vegovy.

It follows reports of some people who are not obese becoming ill after using the jabs for weight loss.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) stresses that the medicines are only for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has supported the call, saying that these drugs are “serious medicines” and not “for people to get pretty pictures of their bodies for Instagram”.

The MHRA says that while most side effects are mild, some can be serious.

It states that medicines should only be prescribed by a registered health care professional.

The regulator says that when used appropriately in line with the product licence, the benefits of these medicines outweigh the risks to patients.

But this benefit-risk balance is positive only for patients who are within the approved indications for weight management or type 2 diabetes, as described in the product information.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said all medicines have a risk of potential side effects: “We encourage healthcare professionals to ensure that patients being treated with these medicines are informed about common side effects Know how to reduce risk.”

The most common side effects include feeling sick, vomiting, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Dr Vicki Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, told the BBC she had seen patients who were not overweight arriving with problems.

“The most common thing we’re seeing is anything gut-related. So diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, people not being able to eat, becoming very dehydrated as a result.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Weight loss drugs have great potential. When taken with a healthy diet and exercise, they could be a game-changer in tackling obesity and getting people back to good health.”

“But these are not cosmetic drugs that should be taken to help get beautiful body pictures for Instagram. These are serious medications and should only be used responsibly and under medical supervision.

“Losing a few pounds is not a quick fix and buying them online without proper evaluation can put people’s health at risk,” he said.