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Poison control calls rise as weight loss drug overdoses increase
MLN: 05/02/2026 Calls to poison control centers linked to overdoses of popular weight-loss medications are rising as use of GLP-1 drugs continues to expand, with some cases involving children who accidentally ingest or inject the drugs.
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Zepbound are designed to be injected, often on a weekly schedule, meaning the drug remains in the body for an extended period. Health officials say that can worsen symptoms if a person takes too much or if a child gains access to the medication.
Indiana poison control officials reported a significant increase in calls related to GLP-1 exposures, though they said the true number of overdoses is likely higher because many people manage symptoms at home without reporting them.
One reported case in Indiana involved a child who mistakenly used a parent’s GLP-1 injection after confusing it for medicine used to treat stomach pain. The child was hospitalized twice after experiencing severe vomiting and pain, with doctors monitoring for potential kidney complications.
Physicians said treatment is largely supportive because there is no way to reverse GLP-1 drugs or speed their removal from the body. The child later recovered.
Doctors say overdoses most commonly occur when patients take doses too close together, measure injections incorrectly, or assume extra medication will accelerate weight loss. Side effects of GLP-1 drugs often include gastrointestinal distress, which can become more severe with higher-than-prescribed doses.
As these medications become more widely available, health experts expect poison control calls to continue rising. They advise patients to follow dosing instructions carefully and store injectable medications securely, including using lock boxes, to reduce the risk of accidental exposure by children
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