As the popularity of the weight loss drug semaglutide continues to grow, so does the rate of potentially dangerous overdoses, experts warn.
Reported overdoses of semaglutide products such as Ozempic and Wegovy more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, according to the American Poison Center in Virginia.
“The US Poison Center has documented 3,316 exposures to products containing semaglutide as of Dec. 31. 2023, more than double the number of cases reported in 2022,” Dr. Kait Brown, the American Poison Center’s clinical managing director, told Fox News Digital via email.
“These cases include exposure to prescription semaglutide, compounded semaglutide and counterfeit semaglutide,” he said.
“Most of these cases are associated with inadvertent therapeutic errors in adults.”
What causes an overdose?
The drug semaglutide is intended to be given in low doses and slowly increased over four weeks, according to Dr. Seth Kipnis, director of bariatric and robotic surgery at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey.
Reported Ozempic and Wegovy overdoses will double between 2022 and 2023, according to the American Poison Center in Virginia. Reuters
“If people jump to a high dose, they’re going to have more negative side effects early on,” he told Fox News Digital.
In some cases, the person who overdosed may have obtained the medicine from a source other than a local doctor or taken medicine prescribed by someone else, the doctor said.
People with semaglutide prescriptions should follow the manufacturer’s and prescribing doctor’s instructions, Kipnis advises.
This photo combo provided by the FDA shows a genuine Ozempic needle, left, and a counterfeit needle, right. AP
“The dosage is weekly,” he said. “If it’s taken every day, it’s too much.”
Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, DC, confirmed that there has been a large overall increase in semaglutide overdoses reported to poison centers nationally.
“Also, I’ve seen similar improvements in my individual centers,” Amirsahi, who is also a professor of emergency medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
The Novo Nordisk Wegovy weight loss drug injection pen is shown in this photo. Reuters
Doctors attributed the increase to a number of factors, particularly a “huge increase” in semaglutide prescriptions.
“Secondly, it is available in several different forms, which can cause confusion,” says Amirsahi.
“Ozempic is a dial pen with multiple doses – while Wegovy is a single dose pen.”
Someone was seen injecting themselves with an Ozempic needle in their home. Reuters
Another source of confusion is that many people use compound products.
“Compounded versions have their own unique risks when it comes to overdose, especially when they come in multi-dose vials,” says Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, director of pharmacy content at Missouri-based GoodRx.
“These injections often come in vials, so there’s a greater chance for dosing errors because you’re measuring your specific dose with a syringe,” he warns.
People who overdose may get medication from a source other than a local doctor or take medication prescribed by someone else. Reuters
“In some cases, the vial may contain as much as 10 times the amount of semaglutide as a single-use injection pen.”
Warning signs and symptoms
The most commonly reported overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness and diarrhea, Brown said.
“Some people have reported hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be life-threatening,” he said.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include confusion, tremors, dizziness and palpitations, according to Amirsahi.
“Semaglutide delays stomach emptying, which can cause nausea, vomiting and stomach pain,” he says.
In some cases, the stomach becomes almost paralyzed, a condition called gastroparesis, which can cause dehydration, abnormal electrolytes and kidney damage, Amirsahi said.
The pen for diabetes drug Ozempic is on the production line. Reuters
Another potential effect of semaglutide overdose is inflammation of the pancreas.
“The symptoms of pancreatitis are very similar and can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dehydration,” says Amirsahi.
These signs and symptoms can also occur among patients taking normal doses of the drug as well as in overdoses, he added.
Although any drug overdose can be serious, experts say that taking too much semaglutide is rarely fatal.
“Semaglutide is generally well tolerated in overdose compared to other diabetes medications,” Amirsahi said.
The most common overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness and diarrhea. Reuters
However, for people with gastroparesis or pancreatitis, potential complications can include dehydration and kidney damage.
“Although low blood sugar is rare with semaglutide overdose, if it is not detected and treated early, it can lead to seizures,” added Amirsahi.
Kipnis noted that in terms of adverse effects, “anything is possible when an FDA-approved drug is taken inappropriately.”
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What to do in the event of an overdose
Anyone taking prescribed semaglutide should have a primary care physician or medical provider provide close follow-up support, especially in the first few weeks when the dose is increased, Kipnis advises.
Although there is no specific cure for semaglutide overdose, the main course of action is to treat stomach symptoms with nausea and pain medication, proper electrolytes, and giving fluids for dehydration, Amirsahi said.
“We also treat low blood sugar by giving glucose or dextrose,” he said. “The care is really supportive until the effects of the medication wear off.”
In some cases, it’s possible to manage symptoms at home after consulting with a healthcare professional, but other situations may require immediate medical attention, Billingsley said.
“For example, severe vomiting can lead to serious dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be dangerous if left untreated,” he told Fox News Digital. “Severe cases of hypoglycemia can also be life-threatening.”
To avoid overdosing, Billingsley says to make sure you feel comfortable and confident using the pen and choosing your specific dose.
“Understand how often you need to inject your dose, and consider using an alarm, medication reminder app or other tool to help keep you on track,” she recommends. “Your pharmacist can be a helpful resource if any questions arise.”
For emergency help, call Poison Help at 1.800.222.1222 to speak with a poison expert or visit PoisonHelp.org for support and resources.
When contacted by Fox News Digital about the potential overdose, Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, provided a statement.
“Novo Nordisk is the only company in the US with an FDA-approved product containing semaglutide, which is identified under the trade names Wegovy, Ozempic and RYBELSUS, and can only be prescribed after close consultation between healthcare providers and patients and should only be taken under healthcare provider oversight,” the company said.
It added, “Novo Nordisk stands behind the safety and effectiveness of our FDA-approved semaglutide drug when used as indicated and when taken under the care of a licensed healthcare professional.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
