The rise in accidental overdoses from ‘copies’ of the weight-loss drug semaglutide, commercially sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, is becoming concerning in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning to patients, health providers, and compounding pharmacies due to an increase in dosing mistakes related to injectable semaglutide.
Symptoms of accidental overdoses of semaglutide can range from nausea and vomiting to fainting, migraine, dehydration, pancreatitis, and gallstones. In severe cases, overdoses can even lead to hospitalization. Last year, America’s Poison Centers reported a significant increase in calls related to semaglutide compared to 2019, highlighting the growing issue.
Originally approved by the FDA to treat diabetes, semaglutide injections have gained popularity in recent years for their rapid weight-loss effects. Between 2019 and the end of 2023, prescriptions for semaglutide medications increased by 932 percent. However, the surge in demand has led to a shortage of FDA-approved injections, creating a market for unapproved ‘copies’ of the drug known as compounded drugs.
Compounded semaglutide is mixed by licensed pharmacists or at drug facilities with varying concentrations from vial to vial, posing a higher risk of dosing errors. Many compounders provide large syringes that are not suitable for measuring small doses of semaglutide, leading to unintentional overdoses and harmful consequences for patients.
Reports to the FDA have highlighted instances where patients have mistakenly administered significantly higher doses of semaglutide than prescribed due to dosing errors with compounded drugs. Providers have unintentionally given patients five to twenty times more than the intended dose, resulting in severe side effects such as vomiting and nausea.
To prevent these mistakes, the FDA recommends that health care providers and compounders provide patients with appropriately sized syringes that prevent overdosing. Patients should also receive clear instructions on how to measure the intended dosage using a syringe to avoid errors. Health care providers are urged to be vigilant in dosage conversions when prescribing compounded drugs to minimize the risk of accidental overdoses.
If an overdose of semaglutide is suspected, medical attention should be sought immediately to prevent further complications and ensure the patient’s safety. The alarming increase in accidental overdoses from ‘copies’ of the weight-loss drug semaglutide calls for enhanced awareness, education, and precautions to protect patients from unnecessary harm.
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