When the FDA allowed semaglutide (known as Ozempic and Wegovy) to be used for weight loss in 2021, sales exploded. At the same time, poison‑control centers across the United States began receiving many more calls about the drug.
Jordan Miller, then a college student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, wondered if the rise in calls was truly linked to the new approval or if it was just a coincidence.
Semaglutide was first created to treat type‑2 diabetes. After the FDA expanded its use for chronic weight management, the medication became extremely popular. Researchers soon noticed that the number of semaglutide‑related poison‑control calls grew far faster than for any other medicine.
"We thought the spike might be caused by people misusing or handling the drug incorrectly," said Dr. David Han, Miller’s mentor and a professor of statistics. "The data confirmed our suspicion."
Working with poison‑information specialist Dr. Robert S. Miller and emergency‑medicine doctor Dr. Shawn M. Varney, Miller examined national poison‑control records. Their analysis won first place at UT San Antonio’s Los Datos conference.
Sharp Increase in Calls
Before 2021, poison‑control centers typically logged 1,000‑1,500 calls about GLP‑1 receptor agonists each year. After the FDA’s decision, that figure nearly doubled, and by 2023 more than 8,000 calls involved these drugs, with semaglutide accounting for the majority.
Most incidents were accidental—people took the wrong dose or used the medication incorrectly—rather than intentional abuse. The sheer size of the jump surprised the research team.
How the Study Began
Miller approached Dr. Han about research opportunities. "You lose nothing by asking," she later recalled. Dr. Han welcomed her curiosity, and together they set out to explore the data.
The analysis showed a clear turning point after the FDA approval: both the number and the types of poison‑control calls changed dramatically, reflecting the drug’s rapid spread from diabetic patients to a broader audience seeking weight loss.
Common Mistakes That Could Be Avoided
Semaglutide is meant to be injected once a week, starting with a low dose that is gradually increased. The study found two frequent errors:
- People injected the medicine every day instead of weekly.
- Some started with the highest dose right away, skipping the step‑by‑step build‑up.
These mistakes can be prevented with clearer instructions at the doctor’s office, pharmacy, and during patient counseling.
Why It Matters
Dr. Han emphasized that statistics and data science should lead to real‑world action, not just numbers. By highlighting the link between FDA approval and poison‑control calls, the team hopes to improve education and reduce preventable dosing errors.
The research appeared on the cover of Significance and was published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology, underscoring the importance of translating data into public‑health safeguards.