Surge in Weight-Loss Drug Overdoses Sparks Concern

Thousands of people have reportedly overdosed on semaglutide, the active ingredient in the diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, due to taking too much of it. Semaglutide overdoses have been doubling every year since 2020, coinciding with the drug's increasing popularity. Overdoses can resemble hypoglycemia, with symptoms such as dizziness and rapid heartbeat. The rise in overdoses is attributed to the black market sales of semaglutide and the confusion between Ozempic and Wegovy prescriptions. Nearly 3,000 people overdosed on semaglutide in 2023, more than double the previous year's total. Semaglutide also carries various side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and intestinal blockage.