A surge in calls to poison control centers followed the 2021 FDA approval of semaglutide for weight management. Researchers tied most incidents to accidental errors in dosing rather than intentional misuse. The findings point to a need for clearer patient instructions on weekly use and gradual increases.
National data showed GLP-1RA related calls rising from 1,000 to 1,500 per year before 2021 to more than 8,000 by 2023. Semaglutide accounted for the largest share of the increase.
Jordan Miller led the analysis at the University of Texas at San Antonio with guidance from David Han. The team reviewed records from poison centers across the country and presented the work at a campus conference.
Common errors included injecting the drug daily instead of once a week and beginning at the highest dose without titration. Miller noted that these patterns align with the shift from diabetes treatment to broader weight-loss use.
The study appeared in the Journal of Medical Toxicology and as the cover story in Significance magazine. The authors recommend improved education at clinics and pharmacies to reduce similar incidents.
