Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practices towards the usage of antidiabetic drugs for weight loss among Lebanese population

More individuals are turning to self-medication with weight-loss drugs, including antidiabetics, without seeking medical advice, often relying on unreliable information from social media, thus posing significant health risks. Another concern in developing countries, like Lebanon, is the easy access to medications without a prescription, thus increasing their availability. This study seeks to assess the Lebanese population's knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the usage of antidiabetic drugs for weight loss, as well as the factors influencing their knowledge and attitude. A cross sectional survey was conducted among the general Lebanese population via different social media platforms. Six hundred thirteen participants out of 617 were included in the final analysis. The majority of the participants demonstrated limited knowledge, with a score of 1.79 ± 1.147. However, respondents portrayed an acceptable attitude, with nearly two-thirds agreeing that there is insufficient supervision in Lebanon regarding the dispensing of antidiabetic medications for weight loss, and emphasizing the necessity for medical supervision upon use. In our study, 11.7% of respondents reported using medication for weight loss purposes with the majority experiencing weight gain following the cessation of these medications. These findings shed light on the need for awareness and public health interventions focused on enhancing public knowledge regarding the use of drugs for weight loss and their possible side effects, especially off-label drugs.