Poison control centers in Pennsylvania and neighboring regions are reporting a sharp increase in calls related to popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy and Zepbound. The uptick reflects a broader national trend linked to the growing use of these medications, which were originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes but are now widely used for weight loss.
The Philadelphia Poison Control Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has already logged 126 exposure cases in 2025, surpassing half of last year’s total. New Jersey has seen a similar pattern, jumping from 29 cases in 2021 to 189 in 2024. Nationally, exposure reports have soared from just over 1,000 in 2020 to more than 8,500 last year.
Symptoms reported include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, often due to dosing mistakes or side effects, even when taken as prescribed. Experts say misuse of the medications, such as taking another person’s prescription or using unregulated compounded drugs, is also fueling the surge.
Though most cases can be managed at home, poison control officials are concerned about counterfeit versions sold online, which may contain unknown ingredients and pose serious health risks. The growing presence of these drugs in households also raises concerns about accidental exposure among children.
Health officials are urging people to use only medications prescribed to them, avoid online marketplaces, and store injectable drugs securely. They emphasize the importance of reporting any adverse effects to poison control to help track trends and ensure safety as use of GLP-1 medications expands.
For help, individuals can contact the national poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222.
Source: WHYY