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Poison centers across the country have seen a nearly 1,500% increase in calls relating to accidental overdoses of weight-loss injectables. While weight-loss drugs and injectables can be an effective short-term strategy, the long-term success and safety are still being researched and is unknown.
Dosing Mismanagement
America’s Poison Centers says some patients were hospitalized with severe nausea, vomiting, and stomach pains. Compounded versions of semaglutide, which are not FDA-approved, are suspected to be the reason for many of the calls to poison control. Patients who use the compounded versions are typically required to draw their own doses from glass vials into syringes, leaving room for error. The FDA-approved versions of semaglutide, Ozempic, and Wegovy come in a pre-filled pen with some safeguards to prevent mistakes with the dosage.
Problems With Higher Doses
According to the medical weight-loss professionals at New York Bariatric Group, taking a higher dose or taking the medication more frequently than prescribed can lead to severe side effects such as: severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. All of which can cause dehydration and the need to be hospitalized for IV fluids. Severe dehydration can also create abnormalities in electrolytes and cause the heart to beat in an abnormal rhythm, which could lead to sudden death. Other side effects from overdosing include:
- Paralysis of the stomach (gastroparesis)
- Severe constipation which can lead to a blockage in the intestine
- Suicidal thoughts can occur (although rare, these thoughts can occur even at the prescribed dose)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Dangerously low blood sugar levels (even for non-diabetic patients)
If an NYBG patient takes more medication than is prescribed, they should call 911.
NYBG instructs its patients on how to use weight-loss injectables, adding that some medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, only have one dose per pen, while with others like Saxenda and Ozempic, the patient needs to turn a dial to choose the appropriate dose of medication before injecting it. The medication websites also have instructions on how to administer the medications. You can also ask your pharmacist if you have additional questions.
New York Bariatric Group: Weight Loss Leader
NYBG is the leader in comprehensive weight-loss solutions. We are a one-stop shop, offering long-term weight-loss surgery as well as medically-supervised weight loss such as medications and injectables. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to losing weight. At NYBG, we work with you to customize a weight-loss program that will work best for you.
Weight-loss drugs and injectables have been shown to be an effective short-term strategy, but the long term effects and safety is still unknown. With our Medical Weight Loss Program the ongoing supervision allows doctors to make necessary adjustments to a patient’s treatment plan based on their progress and changes to their health.
Weight-loss surgery is the only proven long-term weight-loss solution. With decades of research, patients have seen sustainable weight loss. We offer multiple weight-loss surgery procedures and our doctors will work with you to find the right option.
Our practice is the best around:
- Over 30 surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics, plastic surgery, veins, and medical weight loss.
- 42,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
- The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
- Access to online seminars, support groups, cooking demos, and Q-and-A sessions
- 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and
showcasing previous patients - Multiple offices located in three states; NY, NJ, CT
- Offering in-person and virtual consultations
- Since 2000, we boast over 23 years of success!
All of our hospitals are Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredited facilities, which is a prestigious designation bestowed upon only the top-quality bariatric programs.
Stop waiting; start achieving better health today. Together, we’ve got this!
