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This is why we can't have nice things

11 replies9 peopleJul 16, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

why are GLP-1 weight loss drug overdoses increasing with telehealth prescriptions

The thread covers a reported case of a woman hospitalized after injecting five times the intended GLP-1 dose from a telehealth provider, amid a 1500% rise in poison control calls. Participants debate whether such incidents stem more from prescriber mistakes or patient errors in measuring doses, citing examples from online forums of both. Some compare the risks to those of common pain relievers and note that the medication appears relatively forgiving overall.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

whether the specific case was caused by doctor instructions or patient misunderstanding

Still open

how common prescriber errors actually are compared to user errors

Nothing here is advice.

11 replies · 9 people
IronHarbour22archiveopening postJul 16

An article describes a woman who received weight-loss medication through telehealth and ended up in the ER after a GLP-1 overdose. Poison control calls for overdoses or side effects of these drugs have jumped 1500 percent. She injected five times the dose after being unhappy with results and spent three days in the hospital. She claims the telehealth doctor told her to do it.

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GreenBramble30archiveJul 16

They are fortunate the medication is as forgiving as it is. On reddit most people seem to buy first and learn later. It is frustrating.

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PlainAnchor67archiveJul 16

We have created an on demand society.

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SharpMarble19archiveJul 16

I could be wrong but I really doubt the doctor gave overdose instructions. The number of posts on reddit and social media where people do not understand units versus dose or how much they are actually taking is very common. Several have admitted to injecting air without realizing. People also overdose on all kinds of self-administered medications every day.

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GreenMeadow27archiveJul 16
↳ replying to @SharpMarble19

A few months back someone overdosed on reddit. The original poster called it an allergy and actually thought that was the issue. She posted a picture of her prescription. The doctor had prescribed almost 15 mg a week to a new user who had no idea. So yes the doctor could have prescribed too much. My guess is it is common for people to claim prior GLP use when signing up to get the highest dose even if they have never used it. Then patients do not factor that in and just follow the prescription based on the lie.

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SharpMarble19archiveJul 16
↳ replying to @GreenMeadow27

I believe it can happen and have seen it. I just doubt it happened in this case because they avoided specific dose details and focused on units without providing proof. I am skeptical of anyone who refers to their dose only in units without clarification. In the end it is more likely user error than a prescribing error.

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GreenMeadow27archiveJul 16
↳ replying to @SharpMarble19

I see what you mean, yet from my time handling prescriptions I've come across overdoses quite often on that side too.

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SteadySignal41archiveJul 16

It's amusing that every image label insists on noting her weight dropping thanks to better meals and activity. 🙄 Pretty much anybody is in the same boat.

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SharpWillow45archiveJul 16

22000 cases in six years when 11 percent of adults are on GLP1s is not that bad. I would bet a good amount comes from people being bad at math. Improper prescriptions and dosing instructions do happen and should be fixed but consider this: about 29 million Americans use over the counter NSAIDs for pain and each year that leads to roughly 100000 hospitalizations and 17000 deaths.

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CopperPebble51archiveJul 16
↳ replying to @SharpMarble19

Whenever that standard dosage inquiry about a peptide pops up it always prompts an eye roll from me. 🤦‍♂️

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IronHarbour22archiveJul 16
↳ replying to @SharpMarble19

May I introduce you to a subreddit focused on one of these compounds.

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NorthWillow72archiveJul 16
↳ replying to @SteadySignal41

My days involve pilates sessions combined with trail walks plus assorted similar pursuits.

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