Buying weight-loss drugs online left woman hallucinating and vomiting blood

A 40-year-old woman has issued a stark warning after a desperate attempt to slim down before a holiday almost cost her life. Emma Dryer, from Nottingham, admitted she was tempted by weight-loss injections normalized by celebrity culture and bought them from a faceless online seller for £85 — with no medical checks or verification.

“I just thought, everyone’s doing it. It felt safe because it’s so normal now,” Emma told reporters. But shortly after starting the treatment, she became violently ill, collapsing in her bathroom and being bedridden for five days. “I couldn’t eat, drink, or even lift my head from the pillow. I threw up blood. I honestly thought that was it,” she recalled.

The instructions for the medication were unclear, leaving her unsure how to take the drug properly. Experts warn that taking weight-loss drugs without clinical supervision can be dangerous. Research from Well Pharmacy found nearly half of adults in the UK would skip proper research, while 14% see no risk in taking these drugs without guidance.

Emma says she initially lied to her family about what happened due to embarrassment, admitting she was likely not a suitable candidate for the medication and did not medically need it. Contacting the provider afterwards yielded no support or accountability.

She now urges the public to only access weight-loss treatments through regulated pharmacies or licensed clinics with proper screening, monitoring, and ongoing support. Mital Thakrar of Well Pharmacy emphasized, “These medicines should always be part of a clinically supported programme… to support people through every stage of their journey.”

Emma’s harrowing experience is a reminder that quick fixes online may come at a terrifying cost — and professional oversight is essential for safety and effectiveness.