Surge in Accidental Weight Loss Drug Overdoses Raises Concerns

Poison control centers in the US have reported a significant increase in accidental overdoses of semaglutide, a popular weight loss and diabetes medication sold as Ozempic and Wegovy. The number of exposures to products containing semaglutide has risen 15-fold since 2019, with 2,941 cases documented from January to November 2021. The surge in demand for these medications has led to shortages, resulting in the presence of fake and counterfeit versions on the market. Some pharmacies are also compounding the drug incorrectly, leading to incorrect dosing and additional ingredients. Manufacturer Novo Nordisk is suing two compounding pharmacies for selling adulterated and misbranded drugs claiming to contain semaglutide. Accidental overdoses can lead to adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, dehydration, low blood sugar, and hospitalization.