It’s the diabetes medication changing the way the world regards obesity and its treatment. But like all pharmaceuticals, Ozempic (and its weight loss version, Wegovy) is not without risk.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a prescription medication called semaglutide which is approved to treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and also used “off-label” to treat obesity in some people.1-4 It belongs to the drug class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.1-3 This means that it mimics the action of the body’s own naturally occurring GLP-1 hormones that help to regulate blood sugar levels and appetite.1-3
If you and your doctor have decided Ozempic is an appropriate treatment for you, you will be prescribed a weekly dose of this medication.1-3 While your Ozempic dose may be increased by your doctor after a month on the starting dose of 0.25mg once a week, it’s vital that any dose change is never done without the instruction of your prescribing doctor.1-3 Taking too much of any medication can lead to harm through overdosing.
What can happen if I take too much Ozempic?
One of the biggest risks of taking too much Ozempic is that it can cause severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).3-7 Hypoglycaemia can lead to loss of consciousness and even death.7 The risk of hypoglycaemia is more likely if you are using Ozempic for T2DM and take other diabetes medications.1-3 If you have T2DM, always follow your GP’s advice to monitor your blood sugar levels closely while taking Ozempic and discuss whether adjustments to your other diabetes medications are needed to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.
Regardless of whether you’re using Ozempic for T2DM or weight management, other complications of an Ozempic use are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, constipation and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).1-6 In some people, complications are more likely to occur at higher doses, even under medical supervision.
While the risk of pancreatitis has been known since clinical trials, more evidence is emerging that medicines such as Ozempic can be associated with other gastrointestinal complications that can have serious consequences such as gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) and ileus (bowel obstruction through more generalised intestinal paralysis).4-6
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What should I do in the event of Ozempic overdose?
If you suspect that you or someone you know has overdosed on Ozempic, seek medical attention immediately.1 One of the most important treatments for an Ozempic overdose may include emergency management of a person’s blood sugar levels.1 This could involve giving glucose, intravenous fluids or a sugar raising hormone called glucagon depending on whether the person is conscious. In some cases of Ozempic overdose, the person may need to be hospitalised for treatment and observation.
How can I prevent Ozempic overdose?
Here are some tips to help prevent an Ozempic overdose:
- Only take Ozempic as prescribed by your doctor;
- Ozempic is designed for once weekly use so always take it on the same day each week;
- Do not take more Ozempic more than prescribed, even if you think it will help you lose weight faster;
- Know the signs and symptoms of an Ozempic overdose;
- If you are concerned about any signs or symptoms you experience while taking Ozempic, stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately;
- If you have any questions or concerns about Ozempic, please talk to your doctor, pharmacist or credentialled diabetes educator.1-6
References
1. Ozempic Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary. Accessed November 13, 2023. https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2020-CMI-01750-1&d=20231114172310101
2. Novo Nordisk. Ozempic. [nd]. Accessed November 13, 2023. https://www.ozempic.com
3. Semaglutide. Australian Medicines Handbook. July, 2022. Accessed November 14, 2023. https://amhonline-amh-net-au.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/chapters/endocrine-drugs/drugs-diabetes/glucagon-like-peptide-1-analogues/semaglutide#semaglutide-dosage
4. Suran M. As Ozempic’s popularity soars, here’s what to know about semaglutide and weight loss. JAMA. 2023;329(19):1627–1629. Accessed November 13, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.2438
5. Chiappini S, Vickers-Smith R, Harris D, Papanti Pelletier GD, Corkery JM, Guirguis A, et al. Is there a risk for semaglutide misuse? Focus on the Food and Drug Administration’s FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) Pharmacovigilance Dataset. Pharmaceuticals. 2023 Jul 11;16(7):994. doi:10.3390/ph16070994
6. Wisbey M. Viral weight loss drug linked to pancreatitis. NewsGP. October 6, 2023. Accessed November 22, 2023. https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/viral-weight-loss-drug-linked-to-pancreatitis
7. Diabetes Australia. Hypoglycaemia (hypo) and hyperglycaemia. [nd]. Accessed November 22, 2023. https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/managing-diabetes/hypo-hyperglycaemia/
