Health
Ozempic and Wegovy overdose calls have spiked, experts say — here’s what to know about dangerous doses
As the popularity of semaglutide weight-loss medications continues to grow, so does the rate of potentially dangerous overdoses, experts are warning.
Reported overdoses of semaglutide products such as Ozempic and Wegovy more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, according 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, clinical managing director of America’s Poison Centers, told Fox News Digital via email.
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“These cases include exposures to prescription semaglutide, compounded semaglutide and counterfeit semaglutide,” he said.
“Most of these cases are associated with accidental therapeutic errors in adults.”
Reported overdoses of semaglutide products like Ozempic and Wegovy more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, according to America’s Poison Centers in Virginia. (iStock)
What’s causing the overdoses?
Semaglutide medications are intended to be given in a low dose and increased slowly over a four-week period, according to Dr. Seth Kipnis, director of bariatric and robotic surgery 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 told Fox News Digital.
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.
In some cases, people who overdose may be getting the medication from a source other than a local doctor or taking someone else’s prescribed medication, the doctor noted.
People with a semaglutide prescription should follow the manufacturer’s and prescribing physician’s instructions, Kipnis advised.
“The dose is weekly,” he said. “If it is taken daily, it is too much.”
Compounded versions of these drugs dispensed in multi-dose vials present a greater overdose risk, experts warned. (iStock)
Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C., confirmed that there has been a large overall increase in semaglutide overdoses reported to poison centers nationally.
“In addition, I have noticed a similar increase at my individual center,” Amirshahi, who is also professor of emergency medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
The doctor attributes the increase to several factors, chiefly the “huge increase” in semaglutide prescribing.
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“Secondarily, it is available in several different forms, which can cause confusion,” Amirshahi noted.
“Ozempic is a dial-up pen with multiple doses — while Wegovy is a single-dose pen.”
Another source of confusion is that many people are using compounded products.
The most commonly reported overdose symptoms of semaglutide medication use include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, 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,” noted Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, Missouri-based director of pharmacy content 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 signs and symptoms
The most commonly reported overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness and diarrhea, Brown noted.
“Some people have reported hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be life-threatening,” she said.
Danish multinational pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S office building is located in Fremont, California. Novo Nordisk provided a statement to Fox News Digital about the reported overdoses. (iStock)
Symptoms of low blood sugar include confusion, tremor, lightheadedness and palpitations, according to Amirshahi.
“Semaglutide slows stomach emptying, which can lead to nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain,” she said.
In some cases, the stomach becomes almost paralyzed, a condition called gastroparesis, which can lead to dehydration, abnormal electrolytes and kidney damage, said Amirshahi.
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Another potential effect of semaglutide overdose is inflammation of the pancreas.
“Symptoms of pancreatitis are very similar and can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dehydration,” Amirshahi noted.
These signs and symptoms can also occur among patients taking normal doses of the medication as well as in overdoses, she added.
Wegovy is an injectable semaglutide prescription weight-loss medicine that has helped people with obesity. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
While any drug overdose can be serious, experts noted that taking too much semaglutide is rarely fatal.
“Semaglutide is generally well-tolerated in overdose compared to other diabetes medications,” Amirshahi said.
“Anything is possible when an FDA-approved drug is taken inappropriately.”
However, for people who develop gastroparesis or pancreatitis, potential complications can include dehydration and kidney damage.
“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 noted that in terms of adverse effects, “anything is possible when an FDA-approved drug is taken inappropriately.”
What to do in an overdose event
Anyone who is taking a prescribed semaglutide should have a primary care physician or medical provider to provide close follow-up support, especially in the first several weeks as the dose increases, Kipnis advised.
Although there is no specific antidote for a semaglutide overdose, the primary course of action is to treat the abdominal symptoms with nausea and pain medications, correct electrolytes, and give fluids for dehydration, said Amirshahi.
In some cases, it may be possible to manage symptoms at home after consulting with a health care professional, but other situations may require immediate medical attention, experts said. (iStock)
“We also treat the low blood sugar by giving glucose or dextrose,” she said. “The care is really supportive until the effects of the medication wear off.”
In some cases, it may be possible to manage symptoms at home after consulting with a health care professional, but other situations may require immediate medical attention, Billingsley noted.
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“For example, severe vomiting can result in serious dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be dangerous if left untreated,” she told Fox News Digital. “Severe cases of hypoglycemia can also be life-threatening.”
To prevent an overdose, Billingsley said to make sure you feel comfortable and confident using the injection pen and selecting your specific dose.
People with a semaglutide prescription should follow the manufacturer’s and prescribing physician’s instructions, a doctor advised. (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 recommended. “Your pharmacist can be a helpful resource if any questions come up.”
For emergency assistance, call Poison Help at 1.800.222.1222 to speak with a poison expert or visit PoisonHelp.org for support and resources.
When contacted by Fox News Digital regarding the potential for overdoses, Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, provided a statement.
“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 company said.
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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Research continues to uncover new details on how fasting may help extend life.
A new study published in the journal Nature Communications investigated how intermittent fasting can boost longevity in small worms often used in aging research.
Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas compared worms that were fed normally to those that underwent a 24-hour fast in early adulthood and were then fed again, according to a press release.
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The scientists measured a variety of factors, including stored fat, gene activity related to fat metabolism and lifespan.
The results showed that the life-boosting benefit did not depend on the fasting itself but on the body’s behavior after eating again.
Experts say sustainability is key when choosing a long-term weight-loss strategy. (iStock)
Study lead Peter Douglas, associate professor of molecular biology and a member of the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine at UT Southwestern, suggested that these discoveries “shift the focus toward a neglected side of the metabolic coin – the re-feeding phase.”
“Our data suggest that the health-promoting effects of intermittent fasting are not merely a product of the fast itself, but are dependent on how the metabolic machinery recalibrates during the subsequent transition back to a fed state,” he said.
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“Our findings bridge a gap between lipid metabolism and aging research,” he added. “By targeting aging, the single greatest risk factor for human disease, we move beyond treating isolated conditions toward a preventive model of medicine that enhances quality of life for all individuals.”
Lauri Wright, director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health, called this a “high-quality” study that adds an “important nuance to how we think about fasting and longevity.”
Intermittent fasting typically involves limiting meals to an eight-hour daily window or fasting every other day. (iStock)
The benefits of the refeeding phase after fasting were “especially interesting,” Wright, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
“The researchers showed that longevity was linked to the body’s ability to turn off fat breakdown after fasting, allowing cells to restore energy balance,” she reiterated.
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“From a scientific standpoint, that’s a meaningful shift because it suggests fasting is not just about burning fat, but about metabolic flexibility.”
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Fasting may support longevity through triggering metabolic switching, enhancing cellular repair and stress resistance and improving markers like insulin sensitivity, research shows.
Limitations and cautions
Although this study provides “important insight” on the power of refeeding, Wright noted that the findings should be approached with caution, as the study was done on worms and cannot always be translated to humans.
“Additionally, it explains how a process might work in a controlled lab condition rather than real-world eating behaviors,” she added as a limitation. “Finally, the study is short-term and doesn’t give us the long-term translation on lifespan outcomes.”
The review found intermittent fasting was barely more effective than doing nothing, according to the study authors. (iStock)
Wright cautioned that fasting is “not a magic solution for longevity, and how you eat overall matters more than when you eat.”
“I advise, first and foremost, to focus on diet quality, including a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and minimally processed foods,” she said.
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For those who are considering fasting, it’s better to stick with a moderate plan — like a 12- to 14-hour overnight fast — rather than going to extremes, Wright said. After fasting, she recommends focusing on well-balanced meals.
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Several groups of people should be cautioned against fasting, according to Wright, including those with diabetes who are on insulin or hypoglycemic medications, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone with a history of eating disorders and older adults at risk of malnutrition.
Anyone considering intermittent fasting should consult with a doctor before starting.
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More than three million people travel to undergo cosmetic surgery each year, statistics show — but the potential savings come at a cost.
Most people opting to pursue this so-called “medical tourism” are chasing budget-friendly price tags.
International surgeries, such as hair transplants in Turkey, can cost as little as $4,000 to $5,000 compared to $20,000 to $30,000 in the U.S., but often come with extreme risks, according to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian of California.
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The doctor recently joined Lisa Brady on the “The FOX News Rundown” podcast to discuss the rising trend of medical tourism. One of the biggest risks, she said, is the lack of safety regulations in popular destinations like Mexico and Turkey.
As demand spikes in these medical tourism “mills,” there have been reports of non-medically trained staff performing procedures like hair transplants.
Most people opting to pursue “medical tourism” are chasing budget-friendly price tags. (iStock)
“I’ve heard that they [international clinics] are even recruiting people who maybe were taxi drivers and then putting them through their own training program … to become hair transplant technicians,” Nazarian said. “That’s how high the demand has become.”
In the U.S., medical school graduates are granted a “physician and surgeon” license, which means doctors — including pediatricians or OB-GYNs — can legally perform cosmetic surgeries, even if they didn’t receive specialized training for those procedures during residency, Nazarian noted.
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Instead of pinching pennies, the doctor recommended paying whatever amount is necessary to ensure quality treatment.
“People think of it as, you know, going to the mall. … It’s surgery, and surgery has risks,” she said. “You need to be with someone who not only can perform a beautiful surgery, but who can handle possible complications well.”
“You need to ask them: ‘What was your residency training in? And if you wanted to, would you be allowed to do this procedure in a hospital?’”
Aftercare is another critical factor in the success and safety of a cosmetic procedure, as the doctor emphasized that 20% of a surgical result depends on post-operative care.
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This can be difficult or even impossible to manage when a doctor is in a different time zone, she cautioned, or if the clinic disappears shortly after the procedure.
Nazarian also noted the importance of addressing the psychological component of plastic surgery, noting that no procedure will fix underlying unhappiness. The doctor said she uses screening questionnaires to ensure that patients are truly seeking self-improvement rather than a “cure” for deeper issues.
International surgeries, such as hair transplants in Turkey, can cost as little as $4,000 to $5,000 compared to $20,000 to $30,000 in the U.S., but often come with extreme risks. (iStock)
“If you’re not already generally very content with your life, a knife in my hand is not going to bring you there,” Nazarian said.
“The analogy I always give is you don’t want a paisley couch — you want a neutral couch and you can put paisley pillows on it,” she said, noting that a procedure should “make you look normal, God-given, athletic. And then you can change your clothes when the trends come and go.”
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Samuel Golpanian, M.D., a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, said he has also seen an increasing number of patients undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad, sometimes with “devastating consequences.”
“The key is being extremely careful before embarking on this journey.”
“I’ve seen a wide range of complications, including infections, poor wound healing, significant scarring and tissue necrosis (skin death),” he told Fox News Digital. “These complications often lead to prolonged pain, ongoing medical problems, and significant additional costs to repair the damage.”
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Golpanian said he’s treated patients who received unsafe or non-medical-grade injectable materials, which can lead to serious long-term health issues.
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“I’ve also seen damage to underlying structures, asymmetry and results that are extremely difficult — sometimes impossible — to correct.”
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“That said, I’ve also seen some good outcomes, so it’s not all bad,” he noted. “The key is being extremely careful before embarking on this journey.”
Quick tips for safe ‘medical tourism’
Fully vet the surgeon. “Most surgeons will provide information about their education and training, but it’s important not to accept these claims at face value,” Golpanian said. “Verify them directly by contacting the institutions where they trained.”
Ask for references from prior patients. Ideally, it’s best to get references from U.S.-based patients who can speak candidly about both their experience and their results, the surgeonsaid.
Think beyond the cost. Golpanian emphasized the adage “you get what you pay for.” “Cost should take a back seat to experience, training, judgment and proven results,” he advised.
Be cautious about relying on before-and-after photos. These can be selective or even enhanced, Golpanian warned.
Keep aftercare in focus. “Make sure the practice emphasizes comprehensive follow-up care and has a clear, realistic post-operative plan in place.”
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