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As the recognition of semaglutide weight-loss drugs continues to develop, so does the speed of doubtless dangerous overdoses, experts are warning.
Reported overdoses of semaglutide merchandise equivalent to Ozempic and Wegovy greater than doubled between 2022 and 2023, in accordance to America’s Poison Centers in Virginia.
“U.S. Poison Centers have documented 3,316 exposures to products containing semaglutide through Dec. 31, 2023, more than two times the number of cases reported in 2022,” Dr. Kait Brown, medical managing director of America’s Poison Centers, informed Fox News Digital through electronic mail.
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“These cases include exposures to prescription semaglutide, compounded semaglutide and counterfeit semaglutide,” he mentioned.
“Most of these cases are associated with accidental therapeutic errors in adults.”
Reported overdoses of semaglutide merchandise like Ozempic and Wegovy greater than doubled between 2022 and 2023, in accordance to America’s Poison Centers in Virginia. (iStock)
What’s inflicting the overdoses?
Semaglutide drugs are supposed to be given in a low dose and elevated slowly over a four-week interval, in accordance to Dr. Seth Kipnis, director of bariatric and robotic surgical procedure at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey.
“If people jump right to the high dose, they will have more initial negative side effects,” he informed Fox News Digital.
U.S. poison facilities have documented 3,316 exposures to merchandise containing semaglutide by way of Dec. 31, 2023, greater than two occasions the variety of circumstances reported in 2022.
In some circumstances, individuals who overdose could also be getting the medicine from a supply apart from an area physician or taking another person’s prescribed medicine, the physician famous.
People with a semaglutide prescription ought to observe the producer’s and prescribing doctor’s directions, Kipnis suggested.
“The dose is weekly,” he mentioned. “If it is taken daily, it is too much.”
Compounded variations of those medication disbursed in multi-dose vials current a larger overdose threat, experts warned. (iStock)
Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C., confirmed that there was a big general improve in semaglutide overdoses reported to poison facilities nationally.
“In addition, I have noticed a similar increase at my individual center,” Amirshahi, who can also be professor of emergency medication on the Georgetown University School of Medicine, informed Fox News Digital.
The physician attributes the rise to a number of elements, mainly the “huge increase” in semaglutide prescribing.
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“Secondarily, it is available in several different forms, which can cause confusion,” Amirshahi famous.
“Ozempic is a dial-up pen with multiple doses — while Wegovy is a single-dose pen.”
Another supply of confusion is that many individuals are utilizing compounded merchandise.
The mostly reported overdose signs of semaglutide medicine use embrace nausea, vomiting, belly ache, dizziness and diarrhea. (iStock)
“Compounded versions have their own unique risks when it comes to a potential overdose, especially when they’re dispensed in multi-dose vials,” famous Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, Missouri-based director of pharmacy content material at GoodRx.
“These injections are often dispensed in vials, so there’s a greater opportunity for dosing errors since you’re measuring out your specific dose with a syringe,” she warned.
“In some cases, the vial may contain as much as 10 times the amount of semaglutide as a single-use injection pen.”
Warning indicators and signs
The mostly reported overdose signs embrace nausea, vomiting, belly ache, dizziness and diarrhea, Brown famous.
“Some people have reported hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be life-threatening,” she mentioned.
Danish multinational pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk A/S workplace constructing is positioned in Fremont, California. Novo Nordisk offered an announcement to Fox News Digital about the reported overdoses. (iStock)
Symptoms of low blood sugar embrace confusion, tremor, lightheadedness and palpitations, in accordance to Amirshahi.
“Semaglutide slows stomach emptying, which can lead to nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain,” she mentioned.
In some circumstances, the abdomen turns into nearly paralyzed, a situation referred to as gastroparesis, which may lead to dehydration, irregular electrolytes and kidney injury, mentioned Amirshahi.
Another potential impact of semaglutide overdose is irritation of the pancreas.
“Symptoms of pancreatitis are very similar and can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dehydration,” Amirshahi famous.
These indicators and signs may happen amongst sufferers taking regular doses of the medicine in addition to in overdoses, she added.
Wegovy is an injectable semaglutide prescription weight-loss medication that has helped individuals with weight problems. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group through Getty Images)
While any drug overdose could be critical, experts famous that taking an excessive amount of semaglutide isn’t deadly.
“Semaglutide is generally well-tolerated in overdose compared to other diabetes drugs,” Amirshahi mentioned.
“Anything is possible when an FDA-approved drug is taken inappropriately.”
However, for individuals who develop gastroparesis or pancreatitis, potential problems can embrace dehydration and kidney injury.
“While low blood sugar is rare with semaglutide overdose, if it is not detected and treated early, it can lead to seizures,” Amirshahi added.
Kipnis famous that when it comes to hostile results, “anything is possible when an FDA-approved drug is taken inappropriately.”
What to do in an overdose occasion
Anyone who’s taking a prescribed semaglutide ought to have a major care doctor or medical supplier to present shut follow-up assist, particularly within the first a number of weeks because the dose will increase, Kipnis suggested.
Although there isn’t any particular antidote for a semaglutide overdose, the first plan of action is to deal with the belly signs with nausea and ache drugs, appropriate electrolytes, and give fluids for dehydration, mentioned Amirshahi.
In some circumstances, it could be potential to handle signs at house after consulting with a well being care skilled, however different conditions could require rapid medical consideration, experts mentioned. (iStock)
“We also treat the low blood sugar by giving glucose or dextrose,” she mentioned. “The care is really supportive until the effects of the medication wear off.”
In some circumstances, it could be potential to handle signs at house after consulting with a well being care skilled, however different conditions could require rapid medical consideration, Billingsley famous.
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“For example, severe vomiting can result in serious dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be dangerous if left untreated,” she informed Fox News Digital. “Severe cases of hypoglycemia can also be life-threatening.”
To forestall an overdose, Billingsley mentioned to be sure you really feel comfy and assured utilizing the injection pen and choosing your particular dose.
People with a semaglutide prescription ought to observe the producer’s and prescribing doctor’s directions, a physician suggested. (Camerique/ClassicStock/Getty Images)
“Understand how often you should be injecting your dose, and consider using alarms, medication reminder apps, or other tools to help keep you on track,” she really helpful. “Your pharmacist can be a helpful resource if any questions come up.”
For emergency help, name Poison Help at 1.800.222.1222 to communicate with a poison knowledgeable or go to PoisonHelp.org for assist and sources.
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When contacted by Fox News Digital concerning the potential for overdoses, Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, offered an announcement.
“Novo Nordisk is the only company in the U.S. with FDA-approved products containing semaglutide, identified under the trade names Wegovy, Ozempic and RYBELSUS, and should only be prescribed after a close consultation between a health care provider and a patient and should only be taken under the supervision of a health care provider,” the corporate mentioned.
It added, “Novo Nordisk stands behind the safety and efficacy of our FDA-approved semaglutide medicines when used as indicated and when taken under the care of a licensed health care professional.”
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