Doctors Sound the Alarm on Rising GLP-1 Overdoses
Reports of patient overdoses and medication errors involving GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have surged, rising from approximately 2,000 incidents in 2020 to over 25,000 in 2025, according to a KFF Health News analysis of FDA adverse-event data. This increase follows the 2021 FDA approval of Wegovy for obesity, which accelerated the widespread adoption of medications such as Ozempic. Patients and medical professionals report that telehealth-based prescribing practices are contributing to significant complications, including seizures, severe dehydration, and hypoglycemia.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the share of GLP-1 prescriptions for individuals who were not diabetic, obese, or overweight increased from 4.5 percent in 2018 to 17 percent in 2023.
The Impact of Telehealth Prescribing
Concerns among primary care physicians are mounting regarding the oversight of third-party telehealth providers. An MPL Association report indicates that 67 percent of 2,000 surveyed physicians believe prescriptions issued by these online services pose a significant risk to patient health. Many of these platforms require only limited interaction with healthcare professionals before authorizing medication.
The consequences for patients have been severe in several documented cases. Karleigh McClain, a 31-year-old from Tennessee, reported being hospitalized after receiving a prescription for 2.21 milligrams of semaglutide, an amount she later learned was nearly nine times the recommended starting dose. Similarly, Leslie Gammon, a 54-year-old from North Carolina, required hospitalization after being instructed by a telehealth service to inject three times her previous dose, resulting in medical bills exceeding $9,000.
The shift toward telehealth has lowered the barrier to entry for weight-loss medications, but it has also created a disconnect between patient safety and rapid access. The reliance on remote, limited-interaction models appears to be outpacing the necessary safeguards for monitoring complex dosage titrations, leaving patients vulnerable to life-threatening errors.
What Happens Next for Patients and Regulators
As adverse-event reports climb, regulators are increasing their scrutiny of the pharmaceutical industry. In March, the FDA issued a warning letter to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, alleging the company failed to properly report certain adverse events, including those involving deaths and suicidal ideation.
Looking ahead, it is likely that telehealth firms will face stricter oversight regarding their prescribing protocols. Analysts may expect primary care providers to continue discouraging the use of third-party online services, as nearly two-thirds of physicians currently advise patients against them. If these trends continue, the medical community could see further calls for standardized, rigorous diagnostic requirements for all GLP-1 prescriptions, regardless of how they are obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of a GLP-1 overdose?
Warning signs include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. In cases of overdose, these symptoms can become extreme and prolonged, potentially leading to severe dehydration and hypoglycemia.
Why are physicians concerned about telehealth prescribing?
Many doctors cite limited interaction between patients and healthcare professionals during the online prescribing process, which they believe leads to dosing errors and significant health risks.
How have GLP-1 prescription patterns changed since 2018?
The share of prescriptions written for people who are not diabetic, obese, or overweight climbed from 4.5 percent in 2018 to 17 percent in 2023, according to research published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Have you or someone you know experienced difficulty managing the dosage of a prescribed weight-loss medication?