Accidental GLP-1 RA (Semaglutide: Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy) Drugs Overdose: What should you do?
Key Takeaways
Accidental overdoses of GLP-1 RAs may be due to taking an extra dose or injecting the wrong pen.
Many accidental overdoses occur due to using a GLP-1 RA obtained from a compounding pharmacy, rather than through the manufacturer.
Unlicensed internet pharmacies may also offer GLP-1 RAs. This can be very dangerous, as these are completely unregulated, and it’s impossible to be sure what you’re getting from them.
An overdose of a GLP-1 RA may lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Most commonly, the symptoms of a GLP-1 RA overdose will resolve over time, as the medication is cleared from the body. Some people may need to receive IV fluids to address dehydration caused by frequent vomiting.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you believe that you’ve experienced an overdose of a GLP-1 RA. A doctor’s assessment will ensure that you’re not experiencing any concerning signs.
To reduce your risk of an overdose, always see a doctor to get a prescription for a medication, and get your medications from a licensed pharmacy that distributes the approved versions.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs, have been getting a lot of interest lately from both researchers and the general public. These medications can help to keep blood sugar under control, and they also promote weight loss. There are a few different specific medications in this class, including semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. Some forms of these medications are approved for treating diabetes, while others are approved for weight loss.
GLP-1 RAs are not available over the counter, but can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. This is because, while these medications are considered to be very safe overall, they do have the potential to cause certain side effects. Most of the side effects are related to the digestive system, and lifestyle changes generally help to manage them.
Many people are wondering whether it’s possible to overdose on a GLP-1 RA. Of course, you should always try to take the exact dose of medication that your doctor prescribes, and no more. Don’t take more of the medication than was prescribed in order to try and strengthen the effects.
However, it’s certainly possible for an accidental overdose to occur. How might an overdose of a GLP-1 RA occur, and what should you watch out for if this happens?
How accidental overdose can happen
One potential cause of an accidental overdose of a GLP-1 RA is taking an extra dose of the medication. This can happen if you inject your weekly dose, then later forget and inject another dose. Sometimes, people may also use the wrong pen for injection. For example, they may inject a pen containing the full strength of the medication when they’re in the early stages of use and should be using a much smaller dose.
However, there are also other potential causes of a GLP-1 RA overdose. In Singapore, some people obtain their medications from compounding pharmacies. Rather than dispensing the approved forms of a medication that are produced by the manufacturer, these pharmacies mix different doses or forms. Although both the US and Australian governments have issued warnings about compounded GLP-1 RAs, the practice of compounding is not illegal, and there are many compounding pharmacies dispensing GLP-1 RAs.
Because the pharmacy usually doesn’t have the equipment to test each batch of medication after they’ve created it, it’s possible that it could be significantly stronger than expected. In addition, rather than coming in pre-filled pens that contain a specific dose of the GLP-1 RA, the compounded version generally comes in a vial. The patient must draw the medication from the vial on their own, using a syringe. It’s easy to make a mistake and take an overdose.
In addition, some people may obtain medication through an unlicensed internet pharmacy from outside of Singapore. This is not only illegal, but is also very unsafe. These pharmacies are not overseen by any government, and you have no way to know whether what you’re getting in the mail is actually the drug that you ordered. Even if it is the correct medication, the dose may not be labeled accurately, which can easily lead to an overdose. The US FDA has issued warnings about counterfeit semaglutide and other GLP-1 RAs being sold in this way.
Unfortunately, because the number of people using GLP-1 RAs has risen dramatically in recent years, there have been worldwide shortages of some of these medications. This leaves some people vulnerable to claims by unlicensed pharmacies that they can give you access to the drug. Remember that you can’t rely on the claims that these pharmacies make. Although it can be frustrating to have trouble obtaining a medication that has been prescribed to you, it’s important to ensure that you stay safe by avoiding getting your medications from any source other than a licensed pharmacy. The companies that manufacture these medications are increasing production, and it’s expected that the shortages will ease by the end of this year.
It’s never a good idea to try to obtain any prescription medication without a visit to a doctor. Prescription drugs, including GLP-1 RAs, do carry some risks, and aren’t considered to be safe for everyone. A doctor needs to ensure that you don’t have any medical conditions that would make the medication unsafe for you, and that it won’t interact in dangerous ways with other medications or supplements that you may take. This requires visiting a doctor in person, so that they can evaluate you. The doctor also needs to monitor you while you’re taking the medication, which allows them to check for any potential side effects. It’s important to catch these early, so that they can be managed before they become more serious.
Symptoms of an overdose
GLP-1 RAs are generally safe medications, and overdoses are not common. However, there has been a recent increase in the number of overdoses of these medications, likely because more and more people are taking them. With any medication, accidental overdoses will sometimes occur. Experts believe that GLP-1 RAs obtained from compounding pharmacies are responsible for many of the overdoses.
The symptoms of a GLP-1 RA overdose may include:
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Headache
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Fatigue
Most GLP-1 RAs are intended to be taken once per week. Because the medications last for a relatively long time in the body, the symptoms of an overdose may last for a week or even longer. As the body slowly processes and eliminates the medication, the symptoms will gradually ease.
There have been a few reports of pancreatitis resulting from an overdose of a GLP-1 RA. This is inflammation of the pancreas, which is the gland in the abdomen that secretes insulin. In general, people who experience pancreatitis will have severe symptoms, including:
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Sweating
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Rapid pulse
Swelling of the abdomen
While there has been some concern that GLP-1 RAs could cause pancreatitis, it doesn’t appear that this is the case. In fact, research has found that the risk of pancreatitis is not increased in people taking these medications, compared with the baseline risk. Because of this, it’s also not clear that the GLP-1 RA overdose actually caused pancreatitis in the few cases that have been reported. These patients may have developed pancreatitis anyway, even if they didn’t take a GLP-1 RA. However, it’s still a good idea to know the symptoms of pancreatitis and to seek medical care immediately if you develop them.
What you should do
If you believe that you may have taken an overdose of your GLP-1 RA, then it’s a good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t have any major symptoms resulting from the overdose, discussing the issue with a healthcare provider will allow them to check for any possible signs of health issues. They’ll also let you know what to watch out for, in case you later develop symptoms.
Some people may need medical care to help them recover from an overdose of a GLP-1 RA. Frequent vomiting can lead to dehydration. If not treated, severe dehydration can cause severe complications, such as an abnormal heartbeat or seizures. Intravenous (IV) fluids may be needed to restore hydration.
Common side effects of the drug
While overdoses of GLP-1 RAs are uncommon, there are also some more common side effects that can occur when you take the usual dose of a GLP-1 RA. These include:
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Indigestion or acid reflux (heartburn)
Constipation or diarrhea
Weakness during exercise
Headache
In general, these side effects can be managed by making small lifestyle changes. These include taking smaller meals, avoiding lying down soon after a meal, taking plenty of fluids, avoiding oily or fatty foods, and taking a small snack before exercising. In addition, monitor for symptoms of hypoglycemia and manage this with the guidance of your healthcare provider. It’s also important to remember that the side effects usually get better over time, as the body adjusts to the medication.
Safely taking a GLP-1 RA
To reduce your risk of an overdose or other adverse effects, make sure to visit a doctor to be evaluated for a GLP-1 RA. Our NOVI Optimum Plus program includes a thorough evaluation by an expert physician. If you’re a good candidate for a GLP-1 RA, you’ll get your prescription. You’ll then receive medical supervision along with support from a team of health professionals, including health coaches and nutritionists, to help you succeed in your weight loss journey. This ensures that your GLP-1 RA treatment is as safe and effective as possible.
If you’d like to learn more about GLP-1 RAs and where to obtain them safely in Singapore, you might be interested in NOVI Optimum Plus, our comprehensive GLP-1 RA program.
This requires an appointment with one of our specialist doctors, to evaluate whether a GLP-1 RA medication would be a good option for you. We also believe that medication alone is not the best approach; a healthy lifestyle is also important. Our patients receive personalized nutrition and fitness advice from a dedicated health coach, to help them develop and stick to a healthy lifestyle plan.