Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and many seeking weight loss are learning that first-hand.
The surging popularity of semaglutide for weight loss (available as Ozempic and Wegovy) comes with a stark reality: Some individuals, seeking accelerated results, choose to deviate from prescribed dosages. This gamble, taking too little or too much, raises serious concerns about the potential for misuse.
According to America’s Poison Control Centers from January 2023 to November 2023 there were nearly 3,000 calls related to semaglutide — 94% of which were solely related to this substance — nearly twice the number reported in 2022. Even more, many weight-loss drug overdoses likely go unreported, making it difficult to get a clear picture of the problem. This lack of data makes it harder to assess the risks and keep people safe.
As more people use weight-loss medications to achieve their anti-obesity goals, so does the number of those who will misuse the drug. Dr. Sharon Giese, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Manhattan and creator of the Elective Weight Loss (EWL) Program, thinks there are multiple contributing factors.
“The vast majority of semaglutide overdose reports are accidental, either due to patients not waiting a week between doses or by misunderstanding dosing instructions,” said Giese, who acknowledges that there may be other reasons at play, like one-size-fits-all dosing guidelines and obtaining the drug from the unaccredited compounding pharmacies looking to make a quick buck.
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“The guidelines for these medications call for step-up dosing every single month. I find that it’s best to custom dose a patient and not jump up every month. In my practice we titrate our dosage to appetite,” said Giese….
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