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Health experts weigh in on overdoses due to popular weight loss drug

Ozempic has become one of the most popular drugs in the country, but there is growing concern among Charlotte health experts as more users are overdosing.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There is growing concern among health experts about the use of Semaglutide, commonly known as “Ozempic,” for weight loss purposes.

Poison control centers across the U.S. are starting to see more and more overdoses due to the popular weight loss drug.

Prescriptions are skyrocketing for the weight loss tool. Several pharmacies and wellness centers offer the injections, including Micah Barbee at Optimal Oasis Wellness Center.

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“It has become more and more popular because people are getting more comfortable with understanding what it is and how it works, and they're seeing the results," Barbee said.

Users may love what they’re seeing on the scale, but more concerns are being voiced by health experts like Dr. Adam Spitz on how the drug is being distributed.  

“To have a really good tool accessible to us is excellent," Spitz said. But once again, serious health conditions, serious medication has to be used properly.”

From January to November of this year, America’s Poison Centers reported that there were nearly 3,000 calls involving Semaglutide. This is 15 times higher than the number of calls received in 2019.

Some of the overdoses have forced users to be hospitalized for severe nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Spitz urges those interested in using the drug for weight loss to slow down. 

“You've got to be patient, the body, the body's sensitivity to the side effects, like the nausea, for instance, is something that requires starting at a very low dose and going up gradually over time," Spitz said.

Barbee said her wellness center is doing its part to educate users on what they're putting into their bodies. 

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“We do require consultations, we require a very thorough intake process form," Barbee said. "And we have different requirements based on our doctor's orders. So we make sure that our clients know, you know, all of the side effects, we make sure they understand that they saying that the expectations."

Dr. Marc Lewin with Atrium Health said that, with more people gaining interest in the drug, it's opening the window for possible knockoff brands. 

“A lot of times we're seeing side effects, what's happened is people are not necessarily getting the branded medication, but they're getting some sort of I guess, you would call it a knockoff," Lewin said.

Lewin urges those who are interested in trying the drug for weight loss to do their research.

“It's so important that we the prescribers walk through with the patient the things to watch for, here are side effects that tend to happen with these medicines," Lewin said. "And then, also, we the prescribers have to really select carefully who we prescribe it to."

To serve her clients safely, Barbee is a registered nurse in Charlotte and works with a doctor and a legitimate compound pharmacy. She aims to educate her clients on the drug, its results, and possible side effects. 

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“It is really important to make sure you're going to a facility that knows what they're doing," Barbee said. "They're experts at it and have done their research and working with qualified compounding pharmacies or qualified doctors that aren't there prescribing this medication.” 

Health experts urge users who notice severe side effects to get in contact with their prescriber or primary care doctor as soon as possible.

Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on FacebookX and Instagram.

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