• A CDC-led study found nearly 25,000 emergency room visits from 2022-2023 were linked to semaglutide use, with over 82% of those visits occurring in 2023.
• Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain were the main reasons for the emergency room visits, along with unexpected cases of hypoglycemia.
• Researchers suggest that clinicians should better educate patients about potential side effects and adjust co-prescribed medications to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

A recent study conducted by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Harvard Medical School has revealed a connection between the use of semaglutide medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and an increase in emergency room visits. The study, which analyzed national surveillance data from hospitals, estimated that semaglutide contributed to nearly 25,000 ER visits between 2022 and 2023. The majority of these visits occurred in 2023 and were primarily due to gastrointestinal complications.

• What: A study found that semaglutide use is linked to nearly 25,000 emergency room visits between 2022 and 2023, primarily due to gastrointestinal complications and hypoglycemia.
• Who: The study was conducted by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Harvard Medical School. The medications involved are Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) manufactured by Novo Nordisk.
• When: The study analyzed data from 2022 to 2023, with over 82% of emergency room visits occurring in 2023.
• Where: The data was collected from dozens of hospitals across the United States.

The study highlights potential risks associated with the increasing popularity of semaglutide medications. While the researchers emphasize that serious adverse events are infrequent, the significant number of ER visits indicates a need for greater patient education and monitoring. The unexpected prevalence of hypoglycemia suggests that interactions with other medications might be a contributing factor. The researchers suggest that clinicians should counsel patients when initiating semaglutide about the potential for severe gastrointestinal adverse effects and adjust co-prescribed antidiabetic medications to decrease hypoglycemia risk

We found that it’s very infrequent that semaglutide leads to very serious adverse events that would land a patient in the hospital, but that they do occur.

The study highlights the critical need for vigilant monitoring and comprehensive patient education when prescribing semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. While these drugs offer significant benefits for weight loss and managing type 2 diabetes, their potential adverse effects, including gastrointestinal distress, hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, pancreatitis, and even medication errors, can lead to a notable number of emergency room visits. Enhanced communication between clinicians and patients is crucial to mitigating these risks, involving detailed counseling on potential severe gastrointestinal effects, adjusting co-prescribed antidiabetic medications to minimize hypoglycemia risk, and ensuring patients can differentiate between manageable side effects and symptoms requiring immediate medical attention. Further research should focus on identifying factors contributing to the increase in ER visits, including the role of compounded semaglutide versions, the impact of varying dosages, and individual patient risk factors. Additionally, investigations into the long-term effects of semaglutide and strategies for managing persistent gastrointestinal discomfort are warranted to ensure safer and more effective utilization of these medications.