Ozempic Overdose Crisis - Unveiling a 1,500% Surge
Dec 27, 2023•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode description
Overdoses involving weight-loss drugs like Ozempic have surged 1,500% in the past five years, with nearly 3,000 calls to America's Poison Centers this year, compared to just 196 in 2019. Most cases involve compounded versions of the drug, often leading to accidental overdoses, as opposed to the pharmaceutical-grade product. Patients experiencing overdoses face severe symptoms, with many in their 60s. The rise in demand for these drugs, coupled with shortages, has led to pharmacies producing unapproved versions, raising concerns. Official Ozempic pens have built-in safeguards, while compounded versions can lead to user errors.
