A mother is seriously ill in hospital after using a black market weight loss jab and has needed a tracheostomy to breathe.
The slimming pen she used was brought into the country from overseas and was allegedly sold illegally.
Kellen Oliveira Bretas Antunes has been hospitalised since December after using the jab.
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The 42-year-old was initially admitted with abdominal pain, but the condition progressed to neurological problems.
She is suspected of developing a syndrome that affects muscle function, body movements, speech, and organ function.
The mum has suffered 16 seizures and was intubated before undergoing a tracheostomy, a surgical procedure to create an opening directly into the windpipe to help with breathing.
Kellen, an administrative assistant, is being cared for at the Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, as reported by Need To Know.
The authorities confirmed that the weight loss pen came from Paraguay and isn’t recognised by Anvisa, the country’s National Health Surveillance Agency.
Kellen’s daughter Giulia Antunes said: “My dad took the product to the hospital for tests, but they wouldn’t analyse it because it was medication from Paraguay.”
Flávia Coimbra, director of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, said using medications without approval by the national health authority comes with a very high risk.
“There can be side-effects related to inadequate doses, hyperglycemia, and other adverse events such as contamination, serious infections, generalised infections, and worsening of pre-existing conditions,” she said.
On Wednesday (21 Jan), Anvisa banned tirzepatide jabs by the brands Synedica and TG.
These products, often referred to as “Paraguayan pens” on social media, were prohibited due to lacking sanitary registration – with Anvisa rendering them illegal, unregulated, and a risk to public health.
A spokesperson said: “The products were manufactured by unknown companies and are being advertised and sold through Instagram profiles without registration, notification, or listing with Anvisa.
“Because they are irregular products of unknown origin, there is no guarantee about their content or quality.
“Therefore, they should not be used under any circumstances.”
The investigation into Kellen’s hospitalisation is ongoing.
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