Medication’s Popularity and Wider Use Contribute to Increasing Overdose Cases
Some individuals taking the medication Ozempic or Wegovy, which contain semaglutide, a hormone imitator used to treat Type 2 diabetes and manage weight, are facing a dangerous consequence of excessive consumption. Semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which is naturally released by the gut after eating. It has various effects on the body, including stimulating insulin production, slowing gastric emptying, and lowering blood sugar levels. The drug has gained attention for its weight-loss benefits, particularly among celebrities. Oprah Winfrey recently commended the medication, stating that she uses it for weight management and considers it a “gift” and a medically approved solution to healthier living.
However, between January 1 and November 30 of this year, at least 2,941 cases of semaglutide overdose were reported in the United States, according to a recent report from America’s Poison Centers, a national nonprofit representing 55 poison centers across the country. California alone accounted for around 12% of the reports, approximately 350 cases. Raymond Ho, the managing director of the California Poison Control System, noted that this number corresponds to California’s population proportion compared to the rest of the nation.
The nationwide count of semaglutide overdoses this year has more than doubled compared to 2022, with 1,447 cases reported, which was already double the 607 cases reported in 2021. In 2020, there were only 364 reported cases, and in 2019, only 196 cases were documented. America’s Poison Centers cautioned that these figures likely underestimate the actual number of semaglutide overdose cases, as the center only included voluntarily reported incidents to poison control centers.
Raymond Ho expressed concern about this alarming trend from a poison center perspective, stating, “We get the usual dosing error calls, and all of a sudden there’s an explosion of people calling much more regularly about this.”
The surge in popularity of semaglutide and other GLP-1 hormone imitators over the past year as a quick and effective weight-loss solution has contributed to the increase in overdoses. Federal data reveals that over 4 million prescriptions for semaglutide were issued in the United States in 2020, and its usage has continued to grow since then.
Dr. Stephen Petrou, an emergency medicine physician and toxicology fellow with California Poison Control, attributed the rise in overdoses to multiple factors. “Not only is there rising social popularity of the drug, but there’s also wider FDA indications for use,” Petrou explained.
Semaglutide, initially released as Ozempic in 2017 for managing blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetics, was found to cause moderate weight loss as a common side effect. In 2021, a different formulation of semaglutide called Wegovy was approved by the FDA specifically for weight management. Ho and Petrou suggested that the different formulations of semaglutide could explain why it has led to significantly more overdoses compared to other drugs in its class. Wegovy is administered via single-use pens, while Ozempic is injected using needles that can vary in dosage. The standard dosages range from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg for weekly injections, depending on the prescription.
Petrou stated, “Someone who is unable to get Wegovy can resort to using Ozempic instead because it is the same medication, but they may start to adjust their dose upward. That’s when they might encounter problems.”
Ho and Petrou emphasized that the majority of semaglutide overdose reports are accidental and result from patients not waiting a week between doses or misunderstanding dosing instructions. Unlike the GLP-1 hormone, which is rapidly metabolized by the body, semaglutide and similar medications have much longer half-lives. This means that if not enough time elapses between doses, the medication can accumulate in the body.
Interestingly, semaglutide can also be taken orally as a daily pill under the name Rybelsus, but overdoses are rarely reported. Petrou stated, “We’re not seeing cases of mis-administration or toxicity or overdose with that medication.”
Signs of semaglutide overdose can resemble those of hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar. Symptoms may include increased heart rate, sweating, dizziness, irritability, confusion, delirium, and even coma in severe cases. Due to the prolonged effects of these medications, individuals experiencing hypoglycemia following semaglutide overdose often require hospital admission and close monitoring.
Ho strongly advises individuals prescribed semaglutide to thoroughly read the medication’s label and adhere to the specified dosing instructions. “We always say this: The dose makes the poison,” Ho emphasized.
In the event of an emergency related to poisoning or if someone requires poison-related assistance, individuals can call the national Poison Helpline at (800) 222-1222 or visit the Poison Help website.
