The drug semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, has caused a significant increase in calls to poison centers across the country.
The drug semaglutide, sold under brand names such as Ozempic and Wigoby, has caused a significant increase in calls to poison centers across the country.
This is an injectable drug that patients use for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, but some people use it incorrectly, causing accidental poisoning.
“In reality, you should follow the titration and increase the dose as recommended,” said James Leonard, director of clinical services at the Maryland Poison Center. “You'll experience fewer side effects and be more likely to be able to tolerate and continue taking the medication.”
poison center located at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, is an emergency hotline for people with questions about addiction treatment.
Pharmacists and nurses who are qualified as poison information specialists are always on site.
Leonard said one of the main problems with semaglutide is the fact that it only has to be taken once a week. That confuses some patients and instead he ends up taking it once a day or several times a week.
“In some cases, you can end up spending all your money for a month. [the] They took the drug in a very short period of time, and then they basically overdosed four times over,” Leonard said. “Quite a few of the calls we've heard are that he's going through a month's supply in four days, or he's going through a two-week supply in two days.”
Leonard advised patients to double-check their instructions and check with their pharmacist.
american poison center The organization, which represents 55 poison centers across the country and operates a national poison helpline, has recorded a spike in emergency calls related to the drug.
CNN reported that from January to November, the center received nearly 3,000 consultations regarding semaglutide, an increase of 1,500% since 2019.
“I'm not shocked at all,” Leonard said. “Every time a new drug comes onto the market, if it's really popular like it is, there's a good chance we'll get more inquiries about it.”
Some patients require hospitalization due to severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Their case appears to have been resolved with IV fluids and medication to control the nausea.
