Surge in Poison Control Calls Linked to Ozempic and Wegovy's Popularity

The rapid rise in the use of semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, since its FDA approval for chronic weight management has raised alarm bells among health researchers. A recent investigation led by Jordan Miller, a former undergraduate at UT San Antonio, has shed light on a significant increase in calls to poison control centers—raising questions about the risks associated with this medication.

Originally developed for managing type 2 diabetes, semaglutide quickly gained popularity for its weight loss benefits upon the FDA’s broader approval in mid-2021. However, amid this growing demand, national poison control centers reported an alarming uptick in related calls, with semaglutide incidents markedly eclipsing those of other drugs.

David Han, Miller’s research mentor and a professor in the Department of Statistics & Data Science at UT San Antonio, noted that the unusual spike in semaglutide poison control reports likely correlates with its expanded usage for weight loss. “The call volume increased dramatically, and we suspected this surge stemmed from misuse and mishandling of the drug,” he explained.

Collaborating with experts from Long School of Medicine, including Robert S. Miller, Pharm.D., and Shawn M. Varney, MD, the team analyzed extensive data from poison control centers. Their findings, presented at the Los Datos conference, highlighted a striking shift in the nature of poison control calls following the drug's approval.

Prior to 2021, poison control centers documented around 1,000 to 1,500 cases annually related to GLP-1 receptor agonists. Post-approval, that number surged dramatically; projections for 2023 indicate over 8,000 cases linked to semaglutide specifically. Although the majority of these instances resulted from accidental overdoses or dosing errors rather than intentional misuse, the sheer volume caught the researchers off guard.

Miller reflected on the data revealing semaglutide's unexpected dominance in reported cases, emphasizing the media frenzy surrounding the medication’s benefits likely fueled this trend. "I thought it would lead the pack, but seeing its staggering presence was quite surprising," she stated.

This project serves as a potent reminder of the value of data science in revealing important public health insights. Han argues, “Our work highlights the tangible impact these drugs have on public health by transforming raw statistics into actionable intelligence.”

The journey of this research began when Miller proactively reached out to Han about research possibilities, an initiative she urges others not to shy away from. “You really miss out if you don’t ask,” she suggests, reinforcing the importance of mentorship in research endeavors.

The team’s analysis clearly identified the FDA approval of semaglutide for weight management as a pivotal moment. The nature of poison control calls shifted notably after this approval, corresponding with a broader patient demographic seeking the drug for weight loss.

Han elaborated on the differences in drug prescription contexts: “When GLP-1RA drugs are allocated to diabetes patients, there's a different dynamic at play compared to their use for weight loss. This ultimately required us to quantify the evidence supporting an increase in risk linked to the FDA's approval.” The researchers noted that public education remains essential, as the complete understanding of the drug's long-term safety profile is still developing.

Many of the reported incidents could have been avoided altogether with better patient education. Semaglutide is approved for weekly administration, yet patients often mistakenly administer doses daily or jump straight to the highest recommended dose without adhering to the incremental dosing schedule.

“Imagine a process where you’re expected to gradually increase dosage but instead, you start at full throttle every day—that’s a recipe for disaster,” Miller cautioned.

Both Miller and Han stressed the urgency of improving communication at every level—from physicians to pharmacies—to reduce the prevalence of medication errors. Such strategic enhancements could help mitigate the risks tied to semaglutide's use.

This research garnered significant attention, appearing as a cover story in Significance, the official publication of the Royal Statistical Society and the American Statistical Association, and was also published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology.

Materials provided by University of Texas at San Antonio. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.