Can You Overdose on Ozempic or Wegovy?
Ozempic and Wegovy have exploded in popularity for their ability to help people lose weight. Now, Poison Control Centers around the country are sounding the alarm over a growing trend of semaglutide overdoses and incorrect use. We explore the problem and what consumers should know with Dr. Joseph Lambson, director of the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center.
Learn more about Dr. Joseph Lambson and the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center. Read more from Dr. Lambson about semaglutide overdoses.
Publications discussed in the episode:
- Administration errors of compounded semaglutide reported to a poison control center-Case series
- TikTok scam promises popular weight loss drugs without prescription
- TikTok influencer accused of selling fake Ozempic and other weight loss drugs
- Ozempic for weight loss: How does it work and who can use it?
About Our Guest(s)
Joseph Lambson
Dr. Joseph Lambson is the director of the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center and an assistant professor in the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (2016) from Brigham Young University. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree (2021) from the University of Utah. Following his Pharm. D. degree, he completed a 2-year fellowship in clinical toxicology at the Utah Poison Control Center. Lambson was first exposed to clinical toxicology as a pharmacy intern working at the Utah Poison Control Center. He was fascinated by the clinical work provided by specialists in poison information on the phones.
SPIs require an in-depth understanding of the pharmacology and mechanisms of toxicity of both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical substances. With that knowledge, SPIs manage a large variety of calls ranging from reassuring a panicked caller of minimally toxic exposures to discussing the complex management of critically ill poisoned patients. Lambson enjoys providing this variety of care to all individuals regardless of intentionality or agent.
Hosted by UCAM’s Carly Bowling
Long-time listener, first-time podcaster, Carly Bowling, is a university communication representative in The University of New Mexico’s University Communication and Marketing team (UCAM). She is thrilled to help shed light on the outstanding research work being done at UNM, New Mexico’s only R1 university. In addition to producing IPNRS, she contributes stories and videos to the UNM Newsroom, the University’s official communications platform.
Bowling is a graduate of the Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism (’19). Her background includes multimedia journalism, documentary filmmaking, photography and writing. She is passionate about science communication and making academic topics and research accessible and interesting to people from all backgrounds and she hopes you’ll consider subscribing to the show!