Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, a former Big Brother star, has revealed a near-fatal experience with suspected counterfeit Ozempic injections purchased from the black market. The 46-year-old TV personality detailed her ordeal in an interview with Closer magazine, published on January 20, 2025, shedding light on the dangers of using unregulated medications.
Horgan-Wallace explained that she turned to Ozempic in an attempt to lose weight after gaining approximately 28 pounds in 2024. The weight gain followed the death of her best friend, which left her in a "dark place." Seeking a quick solution, she resorted to buying Ozempic from unofficial sources, unaware of the potential risks.
"I won't lie, and I'm not proud, but I bought Ozempic injections from the black market," Horgan-Wallace told Closer magazine. "I must have had a dodgy batch because my body reacted so badly."
The reality star described a terrifying three-day period during which she experienced severe vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme fatigue.
"For three days, I thought I was going to die," she recounted. "I was in my bed, waking up vomiting, suffering with diarrhea, and falling asleep again. At one point, I had three bags of vomit by my bedside."
Horgan-Wallace also suffered alarming vision issues during the episode.
"I started losing my vision, my eyes were going blurry, and I couldn't even see my phone. I had no idea what was going to happen to me," she said.
Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace warns against black-market Ozempic after life-threatening health scare
Ozempic is an FDA-approved medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It contains semaglutide, a compound that affects the brain's satiety signals, and is administered weekly through injections.
The drug has gained widespread attention due to its weight-loss side effects, leading many to use it off-label. This surge in demand has resulted in counterfeit and compounded versions entering the market, posing significant health risks.
Despite her deteriorating condition, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace admitted she was "too embarrassed" to seek medical assistance.
"I felt guilty over wasting NHS resources when I'd done this to myself," she explained.
Her hesitation highlights a critical issue: the stigma surrounding self-inflicted medical emergencies, which can deter individuals from seeking the help they need.
Following her recovery, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace is urging others to avoid using black-market medications.
"My message is do not do it," she emphasized. "I nearly died because of that s**t. Your life is not worth losing over losing weight. Don't cut corners with your health, and don't buy stuff off the black market because you don't know what's in it."
The former reality star called the experience "the most horrific health issue" she's ever faced and vowed never to repeat her mistake.
The increasing popularity of Ozempic for non-medical purposes has led to shortages and a rise in fake products. These unregulated substances often contain unknown or harmful ingredients, posing significant health risks to users.
Experts recommend that individuals seeking medications like Ozempic consult licensed healthcare providers and obtain prescriptions through legitimate channels. Self-medicating with counterfeit drugs can lead to severe complications, as Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace's experience demonstrates.