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GLP-1 Overdose & Pharmaceutical Negligence Lawyers

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GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro have evolved from relatively obscure treatments for blood sugar regulation to household names. When dosed properly, an individual might observe a slow and steady weight loss. But if dosing is wrong, whether by the doctor or pharmacy, GLP-1s can pose a severe threat to a person’s health. If you were prescribed an incorrect dose or received the wrong dose from a pharmacy, contact our medical malpractice lawyers for a free consultation.

What Is a GLP-1?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. GLP-1 medications mimic the body’s hormone. Initially, researchers developed drugs with GLP-1s to treat diabetes, but quickly observed that the drug led to significant weight loss. GLP-1s slow digestion and suppress appetite. Current estimates indicate that 1 in 8 Americans takes a GLP-1-based medication, such as Ozempic or Zepbound.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is the name for a GLP-1-based medication manufactured by drug company Novo Nordisk. The most well-known semaglutide injections are Ozempic and Wegovy. Ozempic is an anti-diabetic medication approved to treat type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin levels to lower blood sugar (glucose). In 2021, Novo Nordisk began manufacturing Wegovy specifically for weight loss, because Ozempic is only FDA-approved for treating diabetes.

What Are the Most Common GLP-1 Drugs?

After Ozempic and Wegovy showed the potential for rapid weight loss, many drug companies rushed to capture their share of the market. While only Novo Nordisk produces Semaglutide, other companies have developed their own GLP-1-based products. The most prescribed GLP-1 products include:

  • Semaglutide: By far the most well-known and best-selling of all GLP-1s, Ozempic is approved for diabetes treatment. Its counterpart Wegovy is prescribed for weight loss.
  • Tirzepatide: The brand name for the diabetes treatment of tirzepatide is Mounjaro, and the weight-loss injection is known as Zepbound.
  • Liraglutide: Like semaglutide, Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. For diabetes treatment, doctors prescribe Victoza. For weight loss, Saxenda.
  • Dulaglutide: Dulaglutide, brand name Trulicity, is a weekly injection approved by the FDA only for the treatment of diabetes. However, doctors prescribe Trulicity “off-label” (a legal practice of prescribing a drug for a purpose other than what it is FDA-approved for) for weight loss.
  • Exenatide: Marketed under the brand name Byetta, Exenatide is another GLP-1 used for diabetes treatment that is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.

How Do Prescriptions Work?

The growth of online telehealth providers has fueled a thriving industry for GLP-1s. Rather than relying on traditional doctors’ offices, a person can meet with a provider virtually.  Companies like Ro, Weight Watchers, Noom, and others allow quick visits with clinicians to get a prescription. Any brand of a GLP-1-based medication follows a similar treatment process.

Weight loss with GLP-1s is gradual and steady, allowing your body to adjust to the changes. The first dose starts low and the amount is increased over weeks to months. Finally, the prescription is set to a “maintenance” dose that stays consistent. Whether the prescription comes from a traditional doctor’s office or a telehealth provider, an individual’s prescription must be properly prescribed and filled at their pharmacy.

What Are the Dangers of GLP-1s?

The long-term effects of these drugs are not well known. In the short term, some users report symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation. However, GLP-1 medications have the potential to cause more serious consequences when overprescribed or incorrectly dosed. Prescribers and pharmacies have a serious duty to prescribe and fill prescriptions accurately. 

Can You Overdose on GLP-1s?

GLP-1 drugs are titrated up at a slow pace. This is because the hormone is powerful, and too much of a change at once can cause serious side effects, such as:

  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Malnutrition
  • Vomiting
  • Severe dehydration
  • Fainting
  • Migraines
  • Gallstones
  • Acute pancreatitis

Some conditions require hospitalization and long-term care. An aggravating factor to an overdose is the slow release. These drugs are formulated to stay in a person’s system for an extended period of time, which can hinder and lengthen recovery.

How Do Overdoses Happen?

An overdose of a GLP-1 can have a drastic and long-lasting effect on a person’s health. A few of the most common causes include:

Physician Error

Clinicians prescribing medications have a responsibility to the patient whose life they are putting in their hands. Prescribers must follow a gradual dose increase to safely deliver the GLP-1 hormone. Unfortunately, there have been some instances in which a doctor sends an incorrect dose to the pharmacy- for example, instead of sending a script of 1.7mg, a prescriber requests the newly approved maximum dose of 7.2 mg.

Pharmaceutical Negligence

A pharmacy must ensure that the right person is getting the right dose of the right medication. The possibility of a severe injury or death due to pharmaceutical negligence is of real concern. Even if a doctor prescribes the right dose and an individual successfully injects the medication, if the pharmacy fills the prescription incorrectly, there is a potential for serious complications.

Compounded Drugs

The demand for weight loss drugs like Semaglutide or other GLP-1s can cause a shortage. Compounded drugs fill the gap in FDA-approved doses of Semaglutide. These are custom medications created by pharmacies with the same active ingredients of an approved drug. They are sold at specialized pharmacies or online. A serious risk with compounded GLP-1s is incorrect compounds or dosages.

 

Justice for GLP-1 Negligence

Injuries caused by pharmaceutical negligence can be debilitating and expensive to treat. Those who can prove negligence by a doctor or pharmacy may be eligible for compensation, including:

  • Medical expenses, including hospital bills, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
  • Lost wages, both past and future.
  • Loss of earning capacity.
  • Pain and suffering.

Responsible parties may include pharmacists who dispense the wrong medication or dosage, give incorrect medical advice, attach incorrect labels, fail to explain possible side effects, overlook allergies, or neglect to record a patient’s current medications and medical history. If any of these situations apply to you, contact our office immediately for a free case evaluation.

Contact Us

When we visit a pharmacy or healthcare provider, we rely on their expertise to keep us safe. If that trust is broken through negligence, accountability becomes essential. If you or a loved one has been harmed due to medical malpractice or pharmaceutical negligence, you don’t have to face this situation alone. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.

Maginnis Howard is prepared to advocate for individuals and families affected by pharmaceutical and medical negligence. We offer free consultations and represent personal injury clients on a contingency basis. That means, you don’t pay anything unless and until we recover compensation on your behalf. To discuss your case, contact our team by phone at (919) 526-0405 or via our contact page.

GLP-1 Negligence Lawyer FAQs

In North Carolina, you may have as little as three years from the injury date to file a claim. It’s important to get in touch with an attorney as quickly as possible to ensure your case is not dismissed due to an expired statute of limitations.

Every case of drug injury caused by a pharmacy or clinician is unique. Compensation in individual cases is based on numerous factors, such as injury severity, liability, and available insurance coverage. Your attorney will discuss these issues in detail as your case moves forward and will work to secure the best possible result for your case.

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GLP-1 Overdose & Pharmaceutical Negligence Lawyers

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed from niche treatments to popular options for weight loss and diabetes management. However, improper dosing can lead to severe health risks, including life-altering injuries. Understanding the potential dangers of GLP-1s is crucial, especially when overdoses can occur due to physician errors or pharmaceutical negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered from an overdose or incorrect dosage, it’s essential to seek legal guidance. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you navigate your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Read on to learn more about GLP-1s and your options.

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