cybersecdn- Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. While Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat Type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss1. The popularity of drugs used for weight loss has skyrocketed, leading to an increase in calls to poison control centers across the country.
The rise in semaglutide-related calls to poison control centers is due in part to the increased use of the drug. As a drug becomes more and more used in the community, inevitably, people will accidentally take it incorrectly or have side effects from it. Dosing errors are another reason for the increase in calls to poison centers, but those errors typically come from patients who are using compounded versions of semaglutide.
It is important to note that the numbers don’t pinpoint what led to the calls. Poison centers may receive calls for various reasons, including patients with questions about side effects or concerns about taking their medications earlier than usual.
The surge in calls to poison control centers related to semaglutide is a cause for concern. While the drug has shown promise in encouraging glycemic control and promoting weight loss in patients with or without type 2 diabetes, it is important to use it only as prescribed by a doctor. Patients should be aware of the potential side effects and should not hesitate to contact their healthcare provider if they have any concerns.
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